USA Crits Series - NE

USA and Canada, April 26-September 25, 2008

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Race 5 - July 5: Iron Hill Twilight Crit, West Chester, Pennsylvania

Hekman finds form, gives Toshiba-Santo a win at Iron Hill

Mark Hekman (Toshiba) rolls in
Photo ©: Zui Hanafusa

Toshiba-Santo strongman Mark Hekman has once again found the form he displayed in 2007, by winning Saturday’s 4th annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Hekman, who held the lead the 2007 USA Crits Series until a crash at Downers Grove ended his pursuit of the title, lapped this year’s Iron Hill field with 20 laps remaining in the race.

"I got away on the 10th lap and just crushed it," Hekman said. "This is a really technical course with the hill on the back side and I thought I was going to die."

A few days prior to Iron Hill, Hekman opted to change out his chain set to a 54-toothed ring that he felt made a difference in helping him power away from the competition on a warm, humid Pennsylvania day. With Hekman showing no signs of weakening over the 60-lap effort, on the one kilometre course, the other riders were forced to contest the remaining two places on the podium.

Frank Travieso (Toshiba) and David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling)
Photo ©: Zui Hanafusa

Those duties fell to Hekman’s team-mate and last year’s USA Crits overall champion Frank Travieso. Travieso made a bid for a cash prime and never looked back. Alongside Travieso was TIME Pro Cycling’s David Guttenplan. The pair made their move with 15 laps to go, and it would be the last time the field would see them until the finish line, where Guttenplan would finish just ahead of Travieso for the second spot on the podium and the Toshiba riding settling for third.

That third place, however, would also translate to a significant improvement in the race for the overall USA Crits title. With Rock Racing’s Rahsaan Bahati not participating in the West Chester leg of the Series, Travieso now moves into second place, and team-mate Yosvany Falcon (who finished in the 10th place on the day) captures the series lead. Third place is now in possession of veteran sprinter Adam Myerson of TIME Pro Cycling.

Look out! Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus/NC Racing)
Photo ©: Zui Hanafusa

In the women’s race, an aggressive group of riders split the field. Once that situation had been firmly established, all attempts by members of the leading group were shut down by the strong composition of the field. Pennsylvania native Erica Allar (Aaron’s), Canadian National Road Race Champion Gina Grain, and Vanderkitten’s Leigh Valetti were all showing great strength throughout, as was Valetti’s team-mate Jennifer Wilson.

The end of the 40 plus lap race would have to come down to a field sprint, and it was Juice Plus/NC Racing’s Laura McCaughey who beat out Tibco’s Sarah Caravella for the victory. The Tasmanian track champion celebrated her win in front of an estimated crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators.

Wilson’s efforts throughout the race would not go unrewarded, however. Although the Vanderkitten rider finished in sixth place in West Chester, she amassed enough points to take the overall lead on the women’s side of the USA Crits competition.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Zui Hanafusa/www.keirin.us

The finish line even marked Independence Day in the United States of America.
The sponsors of the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium had there full team.
Mayor Richard Yoder having a blast setting off the 2008 Iron Hill Twilight Criterium on his fourth of July weekend.
Team Breakaway rider was too strong even when caught one lap to go. He went on to win the Amateur race.
The future of cycling set off with over 10+ races all medaled.
The field split into pieces and the strongest stayed upfront.
As usual there were scrapes and burns in the super fast, short and narrow four corner criterium.
Look out! Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus/NC Racing) squeezed herself a win under Sarah Caravella (Tibco).
Frank Travieso (Toshiba) and David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling) launch after ahead of the field.
Teams sent only one rider at a time to pull and or try to cross over.
Does any body like to work to catch the break?
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) giving it a try to breakaway early in the race.
Many teams gave it a go to catch Mark Hekman (Toshiba) but were not successful.
Jeff Hopkins (Inferno) wanted the runway to clear.
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) still soloing into the evening.
Eric Barlevav (Time Pro Cycling) winner of the 2008 Harlem Crit getting ready to go after a wheel change.
Team Toshiba looking out for Mark Hekman (Toshiba) at the front the peloton.
David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling) and Frank Travieso (Toshiba) worked together to stay away from the main field.
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) looked after by his team-mates after lapping the field.
After working together David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling) and Frank Travieso (Toshiba) dragged raced to the finish.
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) laps the Pro 1/2 field and wins.
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) rolls in after his victory lap and is full of joy.
Mark Hekman (Toshiba) winner and leader of the USA Crits series is greeted by one of his number one fan.
Women's Podium: Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus/NC Racing), Sarah Caravella (Tibco) and Gina Grain (Webcor).
Men's Podium: Mark Hekman (Toshiba), David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling) and Frank Travieso (Toshiba).

Results

Elite men
 
1 Mark Hekman (Toshiba Santo presented Herbalife)       1.20.12
2 David Guttenplan (Time Pro Cycling)                      0.43
3 Frank Travieso (Toshiba Santo presented Herbalife)           
4 John Fredy Parra (Toshiba Santo presented Herbalife)     1.02
5 Evan Fader (Battley HARLEY-DAVIDSON/Sonoma )             1.03
6 Scott Jackson (DLP)                                      1.05
7 Mike Stoop (Time Pro Cycling)                            1.08
8 Bennet Van Der Genugten (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)       1.09
9 Eric Schildge (Fiordifrutta)                                 
10 Yosvany Falcon (Toshiba Santo presented Herbalife)      1.11
11 Wendy Cruz (Caico)                                          
12 Adam Myerson (Time Pro Cycling)                             
13 Chris Schmidt (bike lane)                               1.13
14 Hayden Godfrey (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)                   
15 Dave Fuentes (Battley HARLEY-DAVIDSON/Sonoma )              
16 Seth Hansley (Locos Grill & Pub)                        1.14
17 Craig Dodson (Richmond Pro Cycling)                         
18 Rodney Santiago (Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light)    
19 Tommy Nankervis (DLP)                                       
20 Chris Scott (Locos Grill & Pub)                         1.15
21 Chris Ruhl (Pennsylvania Lightning)                         
22 James (jim) Baldesare (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)        1.16
23 Nathan Coleman (IMMEDIATE MORTGAGE - ARTEMIS EL)            
24 Jermaine Burrowes (WS UNITED/SHEEPSHEAD CYCLE)          1.17
25 Claudio Claveles (JVRSPORTS)                                
26 Michael Chauner (Pennsylvania Lightning)                    
27 Chuck Hutcheson (Battley HARLEY-DAVIDSON/Sonoma )       1.19
28 Shane Kline (Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Am)           1.20
29 Boyd Johnson (DLP)                                          
30 Brady Gibney (Team Alliance Environmental)              1.21
31 Taylor Brown (PA Lighning)                                  
32 Demis Aleman (Telefonico-Argentina)                         
33 Mike Githens (IMMEDIATE MORTGAGE - ARTEMIS EL)          1.22
34 Tucker Brown                                            1.23
35 Jared Nieters (Haymarket Bicycles/Function Dri)         1.25
36 John Delong (Team Alliance Environmental)                   
37 Mark Warno (The Bike Lane)                              1.27
38 Euris Vidal (Caico)                                         
39 Josh England (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)                 1.30
40 Nick Frey (Time Pro Cycling)                                
41 Horace Burrowes                                         2.24
 
Elite women
 
1 Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus/NC cycling)               1.03.01
2 Sarah Caravella (Tibco Pro Cycling)                          
3 Gina Grain (webcor)                                      0.01
4 Erica Allar (Aarons Pro Women's Cycling)                     
5 Kacey Manderfield (Verducci Breakaway)                   0.03
6 Jennifer Wilson (Vanderkitten Racing)                        
7 Jennifer Rasmusson (HPC powered by Altarum)                  
8 Lisa Jellett (Verducci Breakaway)                            
9 Holli Steelman (Juice Plus/NC cycling)                   0.04
10 Veronica Martinez (JVR Sports)                              
11 Kate Sherwin (Austin Flyers)                            0.05
12 Hanley Monique (Team Type 1)                            0.06
13 Leigh Valletti (Vanderkitten Racing)                        
14 Jacqueline Paull (Watchung Wheelmen/High Gear Cyc)      0.07
15 Tricia Carnila (verducci/breakaway racing)              0.09
16 Kristy Scheffenacker (HPC powered by Altarum)               
17 Jennifer Maxwell (TEAM KENDA TIRE)                      0.11
18 Leeanne Manderson (Hub Racing)                          0.22
19 Mary Costelloe (East Coast Velo)                        1.30
20 Colleen Gulick (Colavita Racing)                            
21 Christine Wehlburg (NCVC/Inova Health System)               
22 Nina Santiago (High Gear/Watchung Wheelmen)                 
23 Cesarina Ballerina (Fenix)                                  
24 Nonnie Howard (Verducci)                                    
25 Alison Fischer (Hub Racing)                             1.31
26 Lenore Imhof (Colavita Racing, Inc.)                    1.33
27 Heidi Von Teitenberg (C3-Sollay.com)                    1.35
28 Michele Bote (HPC powered by Altarum)                       
29 Jessie Maclean (Verducci Breakaway)