And we’re off!

Superweek kicked off hot and humid tonight with the Beverly HIlls Cycling Classic, a challenging but thrilling course on Chicago’s far south side. Gaps opened up all over the place early and many locals got a rude welcome to Superweek P/1/2 racing when they found themselves blown off the back before they’d even gotten to their first energy gel.

Kelly Benefit Strategies had a large crew and was aggressive from the get-go. Eventually a 10-man break came together about 30 miles into the 60-mile race. Familiar faces included Rob White and John Meyer (ABD/Geargrinder), Hinsdale native Chad Hartley (Jittery Joe’s), former UCVC star Todd Yezefski (Fitness Together/IF)  and Reid Mumford (Kelly Benefit Strategies). Thousands of dollars in primes later, the pack lapped what little was left of the field with about 10 laps to go. ABD/Geargrinder had good numbers at the front, but it was a green-and-black sprinting clinic that a large, raucous crowd got to enjoy: First Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing) won out of a chase group to take 11th, and then Sterling Magnell (Rock Racing) beat Hartley by inches (above) for the first win of Superweek 2008.

I’ll update this post as more photos and reports roll in. Tomorrow we have what may be a rainy day in Blue Island, and then a debut course in Olympia Fields on Sunday.

Partial results.

Race reports
ABD/Geargrinder (P/1/2): “The team started off racing aggressively and just 20 laps in Rob White joined three other riders off the front, and shortly thereafter Ryan White buried himself to help get both he and John Meyers into the group as well.”

Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing; P/1/2): “When the rest of the boys get here next week, we should have some good times.”

Aram Dellalian (Bearclaw; P/1/2): “My shorts totally got caught in my saddle. The midwest humidity ... gahhhh.”

Chad Hartley (Jittery Joe’s; P/1/2): “First loser. But it was close.”

Sterling Magnell (Rock Racing; P/1/2): “Cramping, nauseous, the whole bit, then somehow I won.”

Mike Sherer (Alderfer Berger; P/1/2): “A break went early with about nine guys. Of course I missed it like I always do.”

Photos
Luke Seemann
Matt Smith
John Wilke