US Masters championships - NE

Deer Valley Resort, UT, USA, June 27-July 2, 2005

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Day 5 - July 1: Criteriums

Criteriums on penultimate day of masters championships

Masters National Criterium Championships got underway this morning at the Park City Cycling Festival as eight categories of racers went in search of the coveted stars and stripes jerseys.

Kicking things off were the women 55-59 who had very little time to recover from their road race that took place yesterday evening. Georgene Vairo (Firestone Griffen) and Martha Iverson (Durango Wheel Club) took off and formed a gap on the rest of the field half way through the 30 lap contest. By the bell lap, the duo had a 30 second gap on their fellow riders and that is when Vairo made her decisive move. On the final climb of the 1kilometer course, she made an aggressive attack and broke away from Iverson to claim her 2nd national title in as many days. Iverson held on to second place, while Sharon Scofield (Tean Rhino took third. Marie Derosa (Sanchez Metro) and Linda Miller (Eddibcycling.com) rode to fourth and fifth places.

Next up was a small field of four for the men's 70+ race. For this event, the crowd witnessed supreme domination by leader Richard Finch (Baddlands Racing Team). Having already claimed the national road race crown this week in Park City, Finch showed his strength yet again by completely dominating today's criterium. Gaining an immediate lead, Finch rode to his second title of the week, followed in second by Ray Sweet (Laurel Bike Club), in third by Robert Visser (Karl Strauss/Team Sdbc), and in fourth by Terry Spradely (Geezer Racing).

The men 65-69 were the next to toe the line for a race whose contenders were determined early on. Coming off of a win in the road race earlier this week, Scott Tucker (Lakewood Racing Team) got away from the field with John Auer (Somerset Wheelman). The pair worked together very well to stay away from their determined chasers. With only about 6 miles remaining in the competition, Tucker pulled away from Auer and gained about a 10 second lead that he held onto until he had fulfilled another national championship dream. Following Auer's silver medal finish, Jim Turner (Webcor/Alto Velo), Jacobo Melcer (San Diego Cyclo-Vets), and Frans Berghoff (Utah Velo Club) came in third, fourth, and fifth.

Elizabeth Tyrell (Somerset Wheelman) claimed yet another national title today as she rode off with the women's 50-54 criterium victory. The pack of women rode together for the first half of the battle, and then a select group of riders broke away. With 6 laps to go, Tyrell put forth an impressive attack and left that group of four. Linda Schnepf (Simple Green) was the only other rider able to respond and fought with all she had to hang on to Tyrell's wheel. With two laps left, Tyrell attacked again and this time left Schnepf behind to settle for the silver medal. Riding to the bronze today was Cynthia Swain (Team Champion/Tom's Pro Bikes), while Barbara Grabowski (Upmc Cycling Performance) and Jo Garrucio (Canyon Bicycles) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Lining up next were the women 45-49, and it was Carla Flores (Southern Mortgage Racing) who again dominated this age group. Flores swept her category this year with a time trial and road race win, and then the criterium victory today. Laura Howat (Utah Premier) fought her way to the silver medal finish, while Monica Nielson (Velo Bella) made the bronze medal effort. Laura Perdeu (Firestone/Griffen Racing Team) and teammate Lisa Tonello (Firestone/Griffen Racing Team) claimed the final spots on the podium.

The race of the day was without a doubt the women's 40-44 event, as the attacks were turned on early in this group. About one-third of the way into the contest, Kris Walker (Logan Race Club) and Kathy Robinson (WWCC Otopexy Records) worked together and became a force to be reckoned with. The two split from the pack and were too fast to be reeled back in. Carla Farrell (Velo Force) then left the field and became the solo chaser, putting forth what could be considered the day's most remarkable effort. With eight laps to go, Walker attacked and left Robinson while Farrell's unrelenting determination paid off when she made contact with Robsinson and overtook the second place position. Although, she gave it her all to make contact with the leader in the race's final laps, Walker was uncatchable all the way to the finish line. Farrell earned a well deserved silver medal, while Robinson held onto the bronze. Michelle Lapierre (Firestone/Griffen) and Susan Cooper (Bicycle John's) secured the podium's final steps.

The final race of the day was with a combined field of women 30-34 and 35-39. Two leaders broke away immediately and went in pursuit of separate titles. It was Karen Dodge (Heartstrings/Ogden One) and Laura Downey (America's Dairyland) who worked together for the 36-lap contest to eventually claim the women's 35-39 and 30-34 titles respectively. After only 14 laps, the pair of solid racers lapped the field and then easily rode off to claim their stars and stripes jerseys. Kirsten Kovtal (Heartstrings/Ogden One), Jenner Yaeso (Vitamin Cottage Cycling Team), Lesley McShane (Better Cycling of Louisville), and Julie Tatar (America's Dairyland) rode to 2nd-5th places in the 35-39 category. Taking the silver and bronze in the 30-34 group was Gwen Erffmeyer (JR Engineering) and Kara Vidaca (Bicycle John's Serious Cycling).

Only one day remains for national championship racing as tomorrow's remaining men's criteriums will close out the 2005 Park City Cycling Festival.

Results

Women 55-59
 
1 Georgene Vairo (Firestone Griffen)                      55.11
2 Martha Iverson (Durango Wheel Club)                      0.03
3 Sharon Scofield (Team Rhino)                             0.54
4 Marie Derosa (Sanchez/Metro)                             4.11
5 Linda Miller (Eddiebcycling.Com)                        10.12
6 Melanie Rineer (Mountain Velo Cycling Team)             15.12
 
Men 70+
 
1 Richard Finch (Baddlands Racing Team)                   59.10
2 Ray Sweet (Laurel Bike Club)                             0.14
3 Robert Visser (Karl Strauss/Team Sdbc)                   0.22
4 Terry Spradley (Geezer Racing)                           2.35
 
Men 65-69
 
1 Scott Tucker (Lakewood Racing Team)                     50.57
2 John Auer (Somerset Wheelman)                            1.02
3 Jim Turner (Webcor/Alto Velo)                            1.03
4 Jacobo Melcer (San Diego Cyclo-Vets)                     1.21
5 Frans Berghoff (Utah Velo Club)                          2.50
6 Hans Muehlegg (Durance Cycleworks)                       3.00
7 Stan Swallow (Utah Velo Club)                            3.10
8 Leroy Bloom (Thunder Mountain Cycling)                   6.04
9 Dwayne Thomason (Lakewood Racing Team)                  10.04
10 Robert Paganini (Pasadena Athletic Assoc)              10.23
 
Women 50-54
 
1 Elizabeth Tyrell (Somerset Wheelman)                    49.28
2 Linda Schnepf (Simple Green)                             0.20
3 Cynthia Swain (Team Champion/Tom'S Pro Bi)               0.25
4 Barbara Grabowsk (Upmc Cycling Performance)              0.27
5 Jo Garuccio (Canyon Bicycles)                            2.08
6 Joanne Schmitz (Wheatland Wheelers)                      2.12
7 Nancy Lewis (Delta Velo)                                 2.27
8 Louella Holter (Greggs)                                  3.27
9 Audrey Wendolo (Pro Pedals/Team Express)                 3.50
10 Margaret Thompson (Mission In Motion/Mackay Ripp)       4.23
11 Angela Bell (Firestone/ Griffen Racing Team)            6.47
12 Cynthia Taylor (Okc Velo)                               8.34
 
Women 45-49
 
1 Carla Flores (Southern Mortage Racing)                  47.50
2 Laura Howat (Utah Premier)                               0.01
3 Monica Neilson (Velo Bella)                                  
4 Laura Perdew (Firestone/Griffen Racing Team)             2.42
5 Lisa Tonello (Firestone/Griffen Racing Team)             4.20
6 Jill Gass (Firestone/Griffen)                            4.22
7 Margaret Douglas (WWCC/Otopexy Records)                  9.31
8 Patty Walsh (Big Shark Racing)                           9.45
9 Nancy Seidler (Firestone/Griffen)                       12.44
 
Women 40-44
 
1 Kris Walker (Logan Race Club)                           52.08
2 Carla Farrell (Velo Force)                               0.12
3 Kathy Robinson (Wwcc/Otopexy Records)                    0.28
4 Michelle Lapierre (Firestone/Griffen)                    2.29
5 Susan Cooper (Bicycle John's)                            3.22
6 Cindy Tompkins (Unattached)                              3.32
7 Cynthia Mommsen (The Olympic Club SCF)                   5.19
8 Kerry Traynor (Handlebars)                                   
9 Dorothy Wong (Kelly Bike Company)                            
10 Laura Humbert (Spin Cycle/New Moon Media)                   
11 Irene Thomas-Jo (Bicycle Johns)                         5.20
12 Maryclaire Mabry (Fairwheels Racing Team)                   
 
Women 35-39
 
1 Karen Dodge (Heartstrings/Ogden One)                    58.04
2 Jenner Yaeso (Vitamin Cottage Cycling Team)              0.02
3 Lesley McShane (Better Cycling Of Louisville)            0.03
4 Kirsten Kotval (Heartstrings/Ogden One)                  0.06
5 Julie Tatar (America'S Dairyland)                        0.09
6 Lisa Flahive (Unattached)                                0.52
 
Women 30-34
 
1 Laura Downey (America's Dairyland)                      58.13
2 Gwen Erffmeye (JR Engineering)                           0.07
3 Kara Vidaca (Bicycle John'S Serious Cycling)             0.16