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Cox Charities Cycling Classic
Providence, Rhode Island, June 25, 2006
Fifth try a charm for New England cycling hero
Courtesy Michael Dameron
On a day better suited to ark building than cycling, veteran pro cyclist Mark McCormack (Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Team) navigated the slick, rain-soaked streets of Providence, methodically shedding his rivals before sprinting home down the finishing straight to take victory in the fifth annual Cox Charities Cycling Classic.
“I felt strong right from the start,”said an elated McCormack after the finish. “Fortunately, I know how to ride my bike in the rain!”
It was not a race for the faint-hearted. From the outset, the darkened skies over Rhode Island’s capitol city relentlessly poured down on the talent-laden field of 138 riders who showed up at the start line to vie for the $15,000 in prize money.The lure of a big purse combined with the horrendous weather conditions was enough to set nerves on edge. Anything could happen. “It was important to be more proactive today,” explained McCormack, “to stay up front and out of trouble.”
No stranger to racing in New England’s peripatetic weather, McCormack also benefitted from the support of a solid team, something he had lacked in his four previous starts at the race. In past years, the 2003 U.S. Pro Champion had come to Providence with few or no teammates.
This year, however, Colavita entered it’s strongest team yet. When the field rolled up to the start, McCormack was backed up by teammates Davide Frattini, Zak Grabowski, Todd Herriot, and last year’s Cox Charities champion, brother Frank McCormack.
The rain came down in earnest as the riders pedaled away from the start and wound their way past the steps of the State House on the opening lap. The early action of the race saw a flurry of tentative attacks, but no semblance of an organized break.
The first real effort at a bonafide escape came when Christian Grassman (Navigators) instigated a four-man break that included Bill Eliston (Targetraining), Justin Spinelli (Team Nerac/Outdoorlights), and Frattini of Colavita. The group never gelled, however, and was reeled back into the field after three laps off the front.
Another series of half-hearted feints and jabs ensued until eleven laps into the race when Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta) slipped off the front of the field. He was soon joined by Todd Henriksen (VMG Racing), Frank Pipp (Targetraining), Patrick Walsh (CCB/Time), and Mark McCormack. They never looked back.
Working together like clockwork, the group of five quickly established a gap of twenty seconds on the reluctant pack. With no one in the main field willing to take up the chase, the lead group steadily increased its advantage. By the time the breakaway whizzed past the podium halfway into the race, the peloton was nowhere in sight, more than a minute in arrears.
By now it was obvious to all that this breakaway represented the decisive move of the day. All that remained to be seen was how the drama between the five select riders would play out as the race wore on. With twenty laps to go, the hearty spectators who lined the course throughout the day got a taste of things to come.
Suspecting that the legs of some of his breakaway companions were beginning to hurt from the chill rain and the strain of the pace, McCormack threw the down the gauntlet and attacked after taking a prime lap. The powerful acceleration provoked a furious chase by Dillon, Pipp, and Walsh, one that soon left Henriksen far behind. The group was down to four.
“I wanted to see what would come of it,” said McCormack of the attack. “It’s always better to have a predictable situation when it comes down to the end.” Sensing perhaps that a sprint finish against the wily veteran would not be in his best interest, Dillon launched an attack of his own ten laps later. Pipp, however, responded quickly and led the charge to bring him back to the group. It was huge effort, one that no doubt exacted a heavy toll
The attack played into McCormack’s hands. With six laps to the finish he attacked again, this time shedding Dillon and Walsh, and leaving only the tenacious Frank Pipp to grapple with.
The two lead riders kept the hammer down, pressing the pace so much so that they nearly caught up to the back of the main field. It was not until the bell lap that the two eased off so as to assure themselves of a clear run to the finish. Rounding the last corner, it was Pipp who took the lead up the hill to the finishing straight. With a hundred meters to go, McCormack burst to the inside. For a moment the two were neck and neck, but as the finish drew near, McCormack’s power prevailed and his bike crossed the line a half wheel ahead of Pipp’s.
After four frustrating starts going back to 2002, it was a sweet victory for the Colavita rider, one made all the more special since it followed on the heels of brother Frank’s victory on this same course a year ago.
After the race, McCormack contemplated his good fortune. “I got lucky out there today, I guess,” he shrugged, ever modest. Perhaps, but if so, luck obviously runs in the family.
Results
Pro 1,2 - 119 starters 1 Mark Mccormack (Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team) 2 Frank Pipp (Targetraining) 3 Josh Dillon (Fiordifrutta) 4 Patrick Walsh (CCB/time) 5 Shawn Milne (Navigators) 6 Davide Frattini (Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team) 7 Michael Cody (FiordiFrutta Cycling Team) 8 Alejandro Acton (Targetraining) 9 Todd Henriksen (VMG Racing) 10 Jason Harpp (Kenda-Raleigh Racing) 11 Christopher Peck (Fiordifrutta) 12 Frank Mccormack (Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team) 13 Alex Boyd (VMG Racing) 14 Jason Snow (Cycle Science) 15 Adam Hodges (Myerson Team Nerac/Outdoorlights.com Pro Cycling) 16 Wes Hartman (Targetraining) 17 Todd Herriott (Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team) 18 Dan Greenfield (Targetraining) 19 Nikola Smutny (Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield - CCCC) 20 Zach Bolian (VMG Racing) 21 Matt Moon (Mechanical Services/ Cycle Mania) 22 Adam Carr (Targetraining) 23 Aliaksandr Bialiauski (CCB/Volkswagen) 24 Daniel Zmolik (ACT - CUEVAS) 25 Joseph Moody (Kenda/Raleigh Racing) 26 Chris Hrenko (Onion River Sports) 27 Daniel (nacho) (Estevez Hot Tubes Development Cycling Team) 28 Tim Doud (CLNoonan/KAM/Coast-to-Coast) 29 Graham Garber (North Atlantic Velo) 30 Justin Spinelli (Team Nerac/Outdoorlights.com Pro Cycling) 31 Johannes Huseby (FiordiFrutta Elite Cycling Team) 32 Damien Colfer (Mechanical Services/Cycle Mania) 33 Jake Hollenbach (CCB/Volkswagen) 34 Robert Giannini (CRCA/Sakonnet Technology U25) 35 Ward Solar (Natures Path presented by Fuji Pro/Am Cycling Team) 36 Paul Ward (Natures Path presented by Fuji Pro/Am Cycling Team) 37 Matt Helming (Kanda/Raleigh) 38 Stan Jurga (Independent Fabrication/Channel Cafe) 39 Michael Norton (Team Nerac/Outdoorlights.com Pro Cycling) 40 Ryan Fleming (Mechanical Services/Cycle Mania) 41 Matt Okeefe (CCB/Volkswagen) 42 Mike Barton (Boston Scientific Cycling) 43 Luke Krisch (Independent Fabrication/Channel Cafe) 44 Greg Montello (Independant Fabrication/Channel Cafe) 45 Amos Brumble (ccb/volkswagon) 46 Jared Faciszewski (VMG Racing) 47 Conor Hurley (boston scientific cycling) 48 Dan Cassidy (CCB/Volkswagon) 49 Adam Sullivan (Boston Scientific) 50 Ciaran Mangan (CCB/Volkswagen) 51 Kevin Wolfson (CL Noonan/ Coast to Coast/ KAM) 52 Bill Elliston (Targetraining) 53 Tom Gosselin (Independent Fabrication/Channel Cafe) 54 Jason Baer (Kenda/Raleigh Racing) 55 Eric Pearson (Kenda/Raleigh Racing) 56 Justin Lillie (Boston Scientific Cycling) 57 Neil Fitch (Mechanical Services/Cycle Mania) 58 Chris Green (Mechanical Services/Cycle Mania) 59 Charles Marzot (CL Noonan/ Coast to Coast/ KAM) 60 Jeffrey Craddock (CCB/Volkswagon) 61 Brian Hayes (International Bike/NERAC) 62 Gerardo Castro (Natures Path presented by Fuji Pro/Am Cycling Team) 63 Matt White (FiordiFrutta Elite Cycling Team) 64 Yahor Buben (CCB/Volkswagen) 65 Chris Monteleone (Hottubes Devolopment Team) 66 Andy Cornelison (Hot Tubes) 67 Zak Grabowski (Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team) 68 Adam St. (Germain Caster's /Majik Coffee Cycling Team) 69 Christopher Jones (Champion System) Women - 28 starters 1 Anna Milkowski (Mid State Cycling) 2 Rebecca Larson (Cycle Science) 3 Arielle Filiberti (Hot Tubes) 4 Debony Diehl (sunapee/s&w) 5 Rebecca Wellons (Gearworks/Spin Arts Cycling) 6 Pauline Frascone (Independent Fabrication/Kempner) 7 Eve McNeil (Havara) 8 Kami Tremblay (Gear Works/ Spin Arts Cycling Team) 9 Julie Monagle (Wheelworks) 10 Leslie Ludtke (1k2go) 11 Darcy Mcguire (Team International Bike/Nerac) 12 Kathryne Carr (Wheelworks) 13 Alie Kenzer (Wheelworks) 14 Michelle Hurley (Team International Bike/NERAC) 15 Amanda Lawrence (North Atlantic Velo) Cat 3/4 - 98 starters 1 Duncan Mcgovern (Team Bike Alley) 2 Mark Nicholson (TNMracing.net) 3 Gary Douville (NEBC/Cycle Loft) 4 Patrick Goguen (NCC/Bikereg.com) 5 Ben Carbonetti (TNMracing.net) 6 Adam Branfman (NEBC/Cycleloft) 7 Ariel Herrmann (Essex County Velo) 8 Pete Smith (Essex County Velo) 9 Andrew Boone (TNMracing.net) 10 Josef Brandauer (Team International Bike/NERAC) 11 J Gabriel (Lloyd CRCA / REMAX) 12 Scott Brooks (NEBC/Cycle Loft) 13 Jesse Dekrey (Colavita Racing) 14 Philip Porter (CCB/Volkswagen) 15 Colin Murphy (Essex County Velo) 16 Scott Glenney (Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield - CCCC) 17 Stephen Weller (Team International Bike/NERAC) 18 Jeff Ferraro (Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield - CCCC) 19 Paul Ricard (Team International Bike/NERAC) 20 Eric Edlund (MIT Cycling) 21 Gavin Mannion (CCB International/Volkswagen) 22 Alec Petro (MBRC/Bike Link) 23 Brian Chapman (Circle A Cycles/Union Velo) 24 Roy Van (Cleef NEBC/Cycleloft) 25 David Chiu (NEBC/CycleLoft) 26 Brendan Sullivan (Team International Bike/NERAC) 27 Anthony Laskaris (NEBC/CYCLELOFT) 28 Brendan Hanrahan (Providence Velo Club) 29 David Smallwood (Boston Road Club) 30 Spike Mclaughlin (Cox Communications Cycling Team) 31 C. Greg (Robidoux Team International Bike/Nerac) 32 Jason Sears (Essex County Velo) 33 Peter Miller (Mystic Velo) 34 Peter Rubijono (HarrisCycleryRacing.com) 35 Jurgen Nebelung (Linscott Real Estate Racing) 36 Dan Jackowitz (Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield - CCCC) 37 Julian Gent (NEBC / Cycle Loft) 38 Sven Lohse (Essex County Velo) 39 Douglas Thompson (Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield - CCCC) 40 Christopher Tracy (MIT Cycling) 41 Richard Person (Minuteman Road Club) 42 Mike Samartano (providence velo) 43 Andrew Durham (CCB/Volkswagon) 44 David Steekley (UVM) Master 35+ - 55 starters 1 Tobi Schultze (Bicycle Link / MBRC) 2 Leo Devellian (CCB/Volkswagen) 3 David Connery (Corner Cycle) 4 Douglas Mckeon (Cyclonauts Racers) 5 Don Mills (Fiordi Ford) 6 Matthew Myette (cyclonauts Racers) 7 Arik Holm (Union Velo) 8 Andrew Durham (CCB/Volkswagon) 9 Bill Mark (Gearworks/Spin Arts) 10 Paul Curley (Gearwoks/Spinarts) 11 Matthew Domnarski (Horst-Benidorm-PRC) 12 Sam Morse (Bicycle Link/MBRC) 12 Paul Richard (CCB/Volkswagen) 14 Michael Andelman (Union Velo Club, theeducated.com) 15 William Shattuck (Bikebarn Racing Whitman, MA) 16 David Miller (Caster's/Majik Coffee p/b Apex Tech Group) 17 Jim Walsh (Cox Communications) 18 Ron Jacobs (Bicycle Link/MBRC) 19 David Rusnak (BOB/Naults Cyclery/MCRA) 20 David Lyman (Union Velo Club) 21 Mark Gunsalus (BikeBarnRacing.com) 22 Rick Kotch (Union Velo Club) 23 Christopher Dale (Caster's/Majik Coffee Cycling Team) 24 Matthew Bodziony (Casters/Majik Coffee) Master 45+ - 40 starters 1 Joseph Rano (Gearworks/Spin Arts) 2 Kenny Shardlow (AFD/OSVC) 3 Gene Petrella (CCB/Volkswagon) 4 James Nash (CCB Volkswagen) 5 Tim Dodd (NEBC) 6 John Morgan (Bethel Cycle Sport MCRA) 7 Dzmitry Buben (CCB/Volkswagen) 8 Mike Allaire (Target Training) 9 Ted Shanstrom (Arc-En-Ciel Racing Team) 10 Paul Lynch (bicyclelink/mbrc) 11 Karl Hambrecht (CCB/Volkswagen) 12 Duane Skofield (BOB/SKOFIELD BUILDERSmcra) 13 Tyler Munroe (CCB/Volkswagen) 14 Kelly Parsons (Mystic Velo Club) 15 Timothy Shea (BOB / SKOFIELD BUILDERS) 16 William Sawyer (Gearworks - Spinarts) 17 David Uchenick (Arc en ciel) 18 Colman O'connor (Bicycle Link/MBRC) 19 Tom Stevens (Gear Works/Spin Arts)
