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Chris Thater Memorial Amateur Racing
August 26, 2006
By Matt Howey
Binghamton, NY (August 26, 2006) -- The prestigious Chris Thater Memorial Criterium weekend kicked-off on this overcast Saturday afternoon in Binghamton, NY. Although the marquee event, the men’s professional race, isn’t until tomorrow afternoon, several of today’s events saw world-class racing including riders such as the Master national criterium champion, Paul Curley (GearWorks), and women’s master national champion Lisa Jellet (Breakaway).
Team Fuji’s Kline Takes Category 2/3 Race
Olander Tucker (Hot Tubes Cycling) looked like he was going to ride away with a hard-fought victory when he crossed the start finish area on the final bell lap, by himself, about 100 meters in front of the charging field. With several attempted, and failed, breakaways through a race that averaged about 27 mph, it looked like Tuckers’ move was going to be “the one”. Tucker soon learned exactly what is meant by “the agony of defeat” as his victory salute was interrupted by Shane Kline (Team Fuji) and Todd Hipp (Unattached) sprinting by him, literally, five feet from the finish line. The crowd near the finish line couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed, and feeling Tuckers’ pain, a collective gasp of “ohhhhh..” was heard as Tucker put his hands to his helmet in disbelief. Rounding out the top-5 were Joe Whitman (Alliance Environmental) and Kline’s lead-out man, Clay Murfet (team fuji).
Dave Fuentes Takes 30+
The first big race of the day was the men’s 30+ race which saw repeated attacks followed by a big split, putting what essentially amounted to two groups of 8, with the front group eventually lapping the second group on the road. The victory was taken by Dave Fuentes (Evolution Cycling) out-sprinting the likes of Stephan Kincaid (Merideth/GPOA/Cannondale), Amos Brumble (CCB/Volkswagon), Ramon Benitez (Hydromax), and Troy Kimball (Westwood Velo) rounding out the top 5.
National Champ, Curley, Victorious in Men’s 40+
Paul Curley (GearWorks), showed why he wears the stars and stripes jersey by handily beating Anthony Taylor (TargetTraining), Steve Krisko (Chenango Point/Tioga Velo), Marc Polsinelli (Pavan), and Andrew VanKuren (Bikyle) in the big sprint finish. The story of the race was Krisko, a previous Thater champion, crashing and still managing a third place.
Bayles Solos to Victory in Men’s 50+
Ernie Bayles (FLCC/Swan Cycles) really put the hammer down in the Men’s 50+ race by going it alone for about half the race. Bayles left the likes of Jay Gaunt (MainLine/Bikyle), national champ - Paul Curley (GearWorks), and Glenn Swan (FLCC/Swan Cycles) in the dust. Bruce Townsend (Berkshire Cycling/Velomax), Patrick Gellineau (Team Squiggle) and Frank Mesi (??) were relegated by Bayles to racing for second place as well. What a fantastic solo victory.
Jellet Solos to Victory in Women’s 30+
The women’s master national criterium champion, Lisa Jellet (Breakaway), rode her stars and stripes jersey to a solo victory in the women’s 30+ race. Jellet left Jacqueline Paull (Alliance Environmental), Christy McArdle (Anthem), Marsha Kapinus (Mission in Motion), and Michelle Costello (Mission in Motion) all behind and won by well over a minute. During her extended solo breakaway, Jellet even had to stop off at the Mavic neutral support pit to get a wheel change after a flat tire. This didn’t slow here down much, as she was still able to ride to a solo victory.
