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 Special feature: the new Quattro road pedal |
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Snake Alley Criterium - NE
USA, May 30, 2004
2003 Results Results Past winners
McCartney and Long tame the snake again
The Snake Alley Criterium goes NRC
By Mark Zalewski
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"Jason, Jason, Jason!" That was the cheer from the crowd watching Health Net's Jason McCartney ride away from the competition on the infamous "Snake Alley" -- dubbed the "crookedest street in the world." This cobbled climb averages a 12.5% grade up 276 feet with five twisting switch-backs that has claimed countless broken chains, derailurs and even crank arms over the years.
This year the race was granted a place on the National Racing Calendar, right beside the annual Quad Cities Criterium held just up the Mississippi River on Memorial Day. This brought out a record number of racers in the pro race. However, due to the proximity to the USPRO Championships in Philadelphia, many of the top pro teams skipped this year's race. But McCartney, a native of Burlington and now nearby resident, was not going to pass up a chance to repeat his win from 2003 and to extend his climbing success after the epic stage five of the Dodge Tour de Georgia.
"It's great, my grandma's here, so it's a hometown thing," McCartney said. "I've got a lot of pressure to win here. In Georgia it was a little shocking -- I didn't have any pressure there so it was a little bit easier.
How it unfolded
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The pack stayed together for the first two times up "The Snake," but as usual the cobbles and steepness quickly separated the race into many different speeds. Soon a group of five formed at the front, including McCartney, Bergman (Jelly Belly), and three Endeavor riders. The crowds sitting between the switch-backs were enthusiastic, enjoying a variety of beverages. As the laps wore on it was McCartney, Bergman and Carlos Vargas (Endeavor) leading the race.
"Jason, Adam and I were together [early on] and they tried to make me work because they knew I had teammates coming up behind," said Vargas. "When Jason went to the front, Adam tried to make me follow him -- and them when Adam went to the front, Jason would try to make me follow him."
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Then McCartney made his move. Up near the top around the final switchbacks, McCartney dropped the hammer and rode away from his two companions. The race was decided -- it was that clear. Over the following laps, McCartney maintained his lap times of around two minutes, as the rest of the field slowed. He eventually caught be back of the field and began to pick his way through the field to the front again.
Adam Bergman then made his move to lock-up second place, all while riding through the pain of a crash in a road race the day before. " I was super sore today after yesterday's crash [in the Burlington Road Race.] I slid far -- I was pretty much saved by my heart rate sensor -- it was ground down to about nothing! ['The Snake'] was hard. Last year I got fourth. It was pretty much a race for second I think -- Jason was in a league by himself."
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Rounding out the breakaway were the two from Endeavor, Vargas and his teammate Garrett Peltonen. "I had a 12-25 today," Peltonen explained. "The 25 was really nice! Though I could have used an 11 coming back down the hill."
McCartney flies out tomorrow morning to join his Health Net team as they prepare for the USPRO Championships. "I'm only doing Lancaster, which suits me, and Philly. We'll see who is riding well. They could send me in an early break. I'm not a big fan of [the Manayunk Wall] because it's a field sprint to get in it every time. But I'll try to be a little more aggressive.
Photography
Images by Mark Zalewski/www.showchoir.net/
- Women's winner Magen Long smiles after her repeat win.
- '"Ooooo, that feels kinda nice!"
- '"Clank, clank, crunch... snap!" Joshua Meyer (Nova/ISCORP) looks down to see his rear derailleur break off his hanger as onlookers feel his pain.
- '"Uhhh, no, I don't think you can ride that."
- It's an accomplishment to even enter this race.
- The race flyer promises "ancient and huge cobbles" -- and it delivers!
- Adam Bergman (Jelly Belly) explains to Steve Tilford (MacLaren Racing) the details of sliding along the road in yesterday's road race.
- The Pro Men enter "The Snake" for the first time -- still all together.
- The rest of the field makes it way up an average of 12.5% grade.
- The crowds were large and enthusiastic.
- McCartney kept a close eye on Bergman early in the race.
- Jason Ozenberger (Dogfish) shows us just how difficult "The Snake" really is.
- McCartney makes his move near the top of "The Snake."
- It's not just another day in the saddle when you race here.
- McCartney focuses on picking his way through the field.
- Once you stop it's hard to get going again.
- Matt Moore (Team Bloomington/Bacardi Rum) kept a steady cadence on his way to a top twenty finish.
- This unknown rider (at least as far as the race officials are concerned) enjoys a different kind of power drink, handed to him by a fan on "The Snake."
- McCartney checks over his shoulder to make sure everyone is suffering enough.
- Bergman suffers his way to a second place.
- Carlos Vargas (Endeavor) rode strongly to take third.
- It looks like manufacturers were testing new products at this year's race.
- All alone. After the Dodge Tour de Georgia, McCartney is used to climbing his way to the top by himself.
- Adam Bergman was shadowed by Carlos Vargas until the end.
- McCartney makes it two in a row, and three overall.
- A fan of Adam Bergman was lucky enough to get the jersey Bergman tore while sliding on his heart rate monitor in yesterday's road race. He even signed it and posed for photos.
Results
Men - Pro/1/2 1 Jason McCartney (Health Net) 2 Adam Bergman (Jelly Belly) 3 Garrett Peltonen (Endeavour) 4 Carlos Vargas (Endeavour) 5 Bryan Smith (Endeavour) Women Open 1 Magen Long (OBRU/The Bicycle Store) 2 Rebecca Much (XXX Racing - Athletico) 3 Elizabeth Morse (OBRU/The Bicycle Store) 4 Megan Monroe (TDS - Schwalbe) 5 Alison McNulty (Mercy-Specialized)
Past winners
2003 Jason McCartney (Team 7 Up/Maxxis) Magen Long (Obru/The Bicycle Store) 2002 John Lieswyn (7UP/NutraFig) Magen Long (OBRV) 2001 Jason McCartney (JellyBelly) Catherine Walberg (Trek-VW Midwest)
