Photo by Luke Seemann
Fall Fling wrap-up I
2009
The first weekend of ABD’s Fall Fling enjoyed the final gasp of summer, a gasp that turned into a brisk, gusty wheeze Sunday with enough wind to make a flat, narrow road race fun, hard and interesting.
In 1/2/3 action the players to watch have been Geargrinder’s Chad Hartley and Ryan White and ABD’s Ryan Freund and John Meyers. Everyone else, yours truly included, just hoped to cover one of their moves, hang on in the break and maybe get 3rd.
In Saturday’s criterium, the winning move was Hartley, Freund and David Polin (WDT-Allvoi), with Hartley, 2008’s Superweek points champion, having no trouble with the sprint. On Sunday the final break was larger and didn’t finally come together until after 40 hard, stop-and-go miles, but again it was Hartley taking it, this time ahead of Meyers.
Meanwhile some 3’s have raced well with the big boys, including Joel Friedman (Bicycle Heaven), who won Saturday’s field sprint, and Andrew Otte (Purdue) and Ronald Reagan winner Scott Rosenfield (IS Corp), who survived Sunday’s break. Now Friedman, Rosenfield, Andy Powell (Project 5) and James Bird (IS Corp) are in a four-way tie in the Cat 3 overall heading into this weekend’s time trial and circuit race.
There was a spot of drama in Saturday’s 40+ race, where Rob Kelley (Bicycle Heaven) appeared to have won out of a three-man break (above). Officials ruled, however, that Kelley had not sprinted in a straight line, relegating him to third and giving the victory to Mark Swartzendruber (Verizon Wireless). Swartzendruber again made the break on Sunday and thanks to a 4th place finish, finishing behind winner Brian Harris (PYOC), now enjoys a four-point lead in the overall, a lead we should expect will be padded in Saturday’s time trial.
Tom Doughty (Amgen/Giant Masters) was the top 55+ both days and is doubling up and holding his own in the 40+. Mike Jones (PACT/Dish Network) broke away from Sunday’s 50+ field and stayed out solo for more than 20 miles to take the win. He’s now down a point in the overall to John Fleckenstein (Team Mack).
Jeffrey Angstadt (South Chicago Wheelmen) is not a name I’ve seen much this summer but he leads the 4’s ahead of Tim Speciale (Bicycle Heaven). Joe Berenyi (Endure It!) swept the weekend’s citizens races and has the inside track there, while the women’s races remain tight: Debbie Dust (PACT/Dish Network) and Jessi Prinner (ABD) are tied in the open, and just two points separates the top three contenders in the 4’s.
Full criterium results. Full road race results. Overall standings.
Criterium reports
Stephen Butler (Wheelfast; 4): “Suddenly found myself at the tail end of the field. In my head I heard Fred Willard saying, ‘Hey, wha’ happened?’”
Joey Iuliano (Purdue; 1/2): “The same guys who were at the Illinois road race were here. That means the goal was the same: Follow them.”
Adam Leibman (ABD; 3): “I sat in and did my best to go as fast as everyone around me, knowing full well that any time spent chasing or attempting breakaways might result in me going down in a blaze of glory.”
Mark Swartzendruber (Verizon Wireless; 40+): “I coasted across the line with my hand up gesturing to the officials and said, ‘Did you see that?’”
Criterium photos
Surviving in America
Road race reports
Debbie Dust (PACT/Dish Network; W-1/2/3): “‘I’m not happy because I was not beaten. I got screwed.”
Joey Iuliano (Purdue; 1/2): “The field soft pedaled the headwind, so any amount of effort generally got you a gap.”
Adam Leibman (ABD; 3): “I couldn’t help but wonder if the unusually slow and cordial finish was a show of camaraderie or simply a display of pure exhaustion.”
Mark Swartzendruber (Verizon Wireless; 40+): “Brilliant. I’m in a move with the three fastest finishers in the race.”
Sep 29
2009
11:39 am
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Mark Swartzendruber (Verizon Wireless; 40+): “I coasted across the line with my hand up gesturing to the officials and said, ‘Did you see that?’”
No I think you coasted across the line crying and complaining like a 6th grader and not a seasoned rider.
Now from your blog:
For the record, I never lodged a protest with the officials. When asked by them if R. Kelly’s sudden chop to the left impeded my finish I told them the truth, “yes”.
No sir. You came up to the officials after the race and continued that whining of yours. You did lodge a protest whether it be formal or informal. I among others were standing right there. Both of your statements from above contradict each other. I sat there watching a 40+ race that was turned into a forum for one to show off their lobbying skills. Please just grow up and ride the bike man. I am sorry however to R. Kelley the Bicycle Heaven rider who had lost his win. It is disappointing that this could not have been settled in a more professional manner. Even the tone in the protesters voice was disgusting. Next time try to put more energy into the challenge on the bike and not the challenge off of it.