Results and Reports for November 1Brisbane Bikestyle Grand Prix, October 31 Courtesy of Laurie Cranley The 1999 Brisbane Bikestyle Grand Prix, held on Sunday October 31 on the Southbank Parklands criterium circuit was won by Australia's Nick Gates, riding for the German professional Die Continentale team. The 60 lap, 60 km race was run at a high pace in the early laps, splitting the field inside the first five laps. A breakaway containing David Canada, Bart Duraj, Chris White, Nathan O'Neill, Robbie McEwen, Nick Gates, and Mark Ledgerwood established a small gap to the bunch during this early period. The peloton, containing the likes of Stuart O'Grady, Henk Vogels, Jay Sweet, Patrick Jonker, Christian Wegmann and many other top riders, were never able to bring down the gap sufficiently in order to bridge, although there were many attempts. At the halfway point Nathan O'Neill punctured but was able to change a wheel and rejoin the break. The break had a 44 second gap to the bunch at this point, which was being driven by O'Grady, although they had slowed somewhat. On lap 35, Craig Saunders managed to break clear of the main field to chase the seven up the road. He was unsuccessful in bridging, but held off the chasers for 25 laps to take 8th. By lap 51, the bunch had been lapped by the break and things started to hot up in front. With 4 laps to go, Nathan O'Neill and Nick Gates attacked the break, forcing Robbie McEwen to try and close the gap. However, he was unable to do so, and the front pair held their lead until the end, with Gates winning the sprint. McEwen took the sprint for third from Bart Duraj, Mark Ledgerwood, Chris White and David Canada. After Saunders' 8th spot, Ashley Hutchinson and Dan Morrison took out 9th and 10th respectively.
Results 1. Nick Gates (Aus) Die Continentale 2. Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Navigare 3. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Rabobank 4. Bart Duraj (Aus) Elite Nutrition-Brisbane Blasters 5. Mark Ledgerwood (Aus) QLD University 6. David Canada (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank 7. Chris White (Aus) Astra 8. Craig Saunders (NZ) Astra 9. Ashley Hutchinson (Aus) 10. Dan Morrison 1999 NJ Cyclocross Championships Courtesy of John Verheul The 1999 NJ State cyclocross championship was supposed to be a dual between our two top-20 Supercup riders, 1998 champ Andy Applegate (Ideal Tile) and 1997 champ Greg Ferguson (Trek/VW East). Unfortunately, a collision with a barrier ended Applegate's day late in the race. Instead, it was left to surprise entrant Mark Walters (Navigators), the 1998 Canadian Road Champion and one of North America's top young pros, to challenge Fergie. The two stayed near each other for most of the race, but Ferguson's cyclocross bike proved superior to Walters' mountain bike in the final paved sprint. The course itself was fairly flat, with 3 paved sections, 3 barrier triplets, 2 wooden bridge crossings, one stream crossing, and several slick corners per lap. Connecting it all was plenty of soft, energy-sapping grass. Overall, it was a course favoring strong powerful riders more so than technical experts. The overall turnout on a warm, sunny Halloween was as good as it's been for any NJ 'cross race in the last 5 years. Besides the top NJ talent, last years' race winner Bill Elliston finished a strong 3rd after a slow start, while PA State champ Mike Yozell was 5th. Top Supercup Junior Justin Thompson finished 4th racing with the older riders today. The race started fast, with eventual 6th place finisher, 18 year old Szymon Niemotko getting the hole shot and trying to break away alone in the first laps. A broken chain cost the young up-and-comer a few places in the end, as he had to switch to his backup bike.
Senior men cat Pro 1-2-3 1 Greg Ferguson (Trek/VW East NJ State Champion) 2 Mark Walters (Navigators) 3 William Elliston (Bicycle Therapy) 4 Justin Thompson (Deva) 5 Mike Yozell (Trek/VW East) 6 Szymon Niemotko (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ Silver Medalist) 7 Matt Myers (Trek/Bikesport) 8 Inson Wood (Details) 9 John Verheul (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ Bronze Medalist) 10 Kevin Hunt (Diamond Cycle) 11 Brent Biddle (First State Velo Sport) 12 John Kelly (CRC of A) 13 Rich Wolter (WORC Racing) 14 Jura Karko (Unatt.) 15 Eric Ragot (Kissena) 16 Brad Ford (Watchung Wheelmen) 17 Rich Mihills (First State Velo Sport) Men 35+ 1 Chris Long (Brooklyn Cycles) 2 Andy Freeman 3 Martin Jones (NJ State Champion) 4 Scott Wilson (Evolution) 5 Rick Anderson (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ Silver Medalist) 6 Joe Mannachio 7 Gerardo Martinez (NJ Bronze Medalist) Men 45+ 1 Joe Saling (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ State Champion) 2 Anthony Loproto (Bennett's) 3 Larry Dudek (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ Silver Medalist) 4 Tom Elberg (NJ Bronze Medalist) Women 1 Sarah Uhl (NE Cycling Support Org. NJ State Champion) 2 Petra Ford (Watchung Wheelmen NJ Silver Medalist) 3 Ellie Varnai (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery) 4 Ann Marie (Greenwood Unatt.) 5 Tammy Ebersole (Evolution) 6 Amy Lowry (FCCC) Juniors 1 Travis Pidcock (Red Rose Rockets NJ State Champion) 2 Sam Smith (Unatt. NJ Silver Medalist) 3 Denny Scott (Ridge Rider Velo/Liberty Cycle) Senior men cat 4 1 Mike Shenk (Velo Club of Montery) 2 Randy Stein (CRC of A) 3 Mike Sutter (Westwood Velo NJ State Champion) 4 Chris Faino (Evolution) 5 Chris Vegh (Unatt. NJ Silver Medalist) 6 Leyton Murray (EECT) 7 Greg Gorel (Somerset/Somerville Cyclery NJ Bronze Medalist) 8 Chris Evans (Wolverine) 9 Rick Zalasin (Wolverine) Senior Men cat 5 1 Andy Neumann 2 Sean McGinnes (CRCA) 3 Tony Pechenik (CRCA) 4 Scott Fagor 5 Stephen Rush (Hot Tubes) 6 Brian Doroshuk (Northeast Hardware) 7 Marc Galietta (Evolution) 8 Mark Traeger GP des Assurances Axa, Cat 2 Kayl, Luxemburg, October 31, 1999
1. Sven Nijs (Bel) 2. Marc Janssens (Bel) 3. Radomir Simunek (Cze)
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