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Bring it on! Race series #2
Alachua, Florida, January 25, 2003
Bunch sprints decide lively races
Courtesy Team Florida Cycling
The spring continues to slowly awaken in Florida as the temperatures rose about five degrees from the previous weeks outing. The sunny skies and lighter breeze contributed to field sprints in all three categories. The stock finishes were surely not evidence of the races activities, however.
The A grade race saw the most action, with a breakaway surviving nearly the entire duration. With aggressive and vigilant riding neutralizing, but also speeding the opening miles, no moves escaped until about a third of the way through the race. The inevitable group included last weeks winner Jason Snow (Cyclescience), the visiting Canadians Bruno Langlois and Alex Lavallee (both Volkswagen/Trek), Jacksonville resident Chuck Jerabek (JRC), and locals Dan Larson (Cyclescience) and Darryl Tompkins (Bike Route). After Tompkins was shed during a midrace acceleration, the Bike Route team mobilized a chase and began to reel the group in. So after about 15 laps with a small lead and 5 laps remaining, the field reformed and set up the field sprint scenario. With a few laps to recuperate, most of the original breakaway members were able to put together solid runs for the line. With a good shot at the final corner, Larson and Snow came through with first and second for Cyclescience, followed by Langlois, Jerabek, and Bobby Lee.
The B grade event was highlighted by some good team riding by the Bike Route riders to keep things in their favor. With James Hendry and Cindy Tompkins littering the race with attacks, the scene was eventually set for teammate Lorne Johnson to contest the field sprint. Hendy's latest move lasted over 3 laps and was only finally caught by a concerted effort by the University of Florida(Team Florida) team. Johnson took advantage of their chase efforts and rounded the final turn first and rode through to the line unpassed. UF riders Ryan Strickland and Reid Savid rounded out the top three respectively.
The Women's event was dominated by Summer Calder and Cindy Tompkins wresting back and forth over prime prizes and finally battling head to head for the finish. Calder managed to win by a half a wheel to take the top prize. With the two powerhouses keeping one another in check, the group came around the final lap all together and Kelly Rooney managed to best last weeks runner up Alexis Dabroski for third.
A grade (25 laps, 30 miles) 1 Dan Larson (Cyclescience) 2 Jason Snow (Cyclescience) 3 Bruno Langlois (Volkswagen/Trek) 4 Chuck Jerabek (Jax Racing Club) 5 Bobby Lee (unattached) 6 Alex Lavellee (Volkswagen/Trek) 7 Ryan Saylor (Team Florida/Chain Reaction) B grade (20 laps, 24 miles) 1 Lorne Johnson (Bike Route) 2 Ryan Strickland (Team Florida) 3 Reid Savid (Team Florida) 4 Pete Butler (unattached) 5 Steve Heal (Team Florida) 6 Jason Hall (unattached) 7 Summer Calder (Boston) 8 Jimmy Hendry (Bike Route) Women (10 laps, 12 miles) 1 Summer Calder (Boston) 2 Cindy Tompkins (Bike Route) 3 Kelly Rooney (Bike Route) 4 Alexis Dabroski (Bike Route
