NCVC�s Jeff Dickey sprinted ahead of a Team Nature�s Path and a Seigler Imports dominated field to win the premier race of the Casey Auto Group Criterium last Sunday in Newport News, VA. The James River Velo Sport sponsored the annual race around Todd Stadium that used to be called the Shamrock Criterium.
Many of the riders had a problem figuring out what happened in which race since many had entered more than one race. Most teams tried to organize some breaks in all the races.
Nature�s Path�s Chip Goble took second place in the premier category 1,2 and 3. His team-mate Bill Malone took fourth.
�Bill Malone and I both knew to ensure a top finish that we both needed to be in a break, Bill joined an early break which I bridged up to solo. The break worked well together and we quickly lapped the field,� said Goble.
�After we (the breakaway) lapped the main group, Mason (Haymes) attacked and lapped the field as well,� said Keck Baker. Haymes and Baker are from Seigler Imports and placed third and fifth. After racing a tough 30+ race, Baker said it was all he could do to finish due to severe cramping.
�VA Beach Velo/East Coast Bikes had a very good day,� said Rob Suydam about riding multiple races. �We were first and fourth in the 40+, fourth in the 30+ and swept the primes, and sixth in the 1,2. I was happy with my fitness as it appears to be coming along nicely. I did all three races and felt really good near the end.�
The category 3 race worked the same way as other races. The four man break failed to lap the field. On the last turn before the finish, a four-man break blew-up like the tire that crashed two of the riders.
3-Sports Mark Connelly slid around the crash then, from an almost dead stop, sprint the 300 meters to the finish ahead of Conte�s Philip Robb. Connelly thought he just placed second but Nature�s Path�s Malone solo attempt failed because of cramps.
�After taking a cool down lap, I thought to myself �I just completed a four man breakaway
and came in second overall,� I was stoked!� Connelly said. So, of course, he was even more stoked to learn that he won.
The category 4s and 5s of Richmond Ciclismo, this year, saw many of its elite mentors become sick or miss racing for other obligations. Many of its members wanted to prove they could step up and moved up in categories. Its goal, to race and �put people on the podium� as a team.
�I thought the race was an excellent effort from a team aspect as well as individual, said Ciclismo�s sixth place finisher Scott Sheble. �We covered and controlled most of the breaks as well as the front of the pack.�
With at least six Ciclismo riders near the front with two laps to go, Ciclismo kept the tempo up leading Chuck Rushby to the front. It wasn�t enough to beat CRC�s Bill Scanlon.
The category 5s had some strong attacks through the race but nothing really created a gap. That race also ended in a Ciclismo driven pack sprint. Ciclismo�s Jeff Brandon lead most of the last lap and held on for third.
The combined women�s field showcased team�s who are pushing women�s racing. Seigler Imports, Conte�s and James River Velo Sport tried to dent TriPower�s dominance.
�The race started fast with everyone jockeying for good positions in the pack,� said Julie Kuliecza of Seigler Imports.
Kuliecza and TriPower�s Lisa Young slip ahead and almost lapped the field. Kuliecza added, �With the final lap approaching both of us tried to jockey for the best position for the final sprint. I could not shake Lisa off my wheel and as we came around the final corner.�
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