After a hard weekend of racing which saw some tough luck for BISSELL, Eric Young comes through for the win on the final day at the Joe Martin Stage Race. The eighty five minute crit is one of the toughest on the NRC schedule and has seen big upsets to the leader board in the past. The technical course in downtown Fayetteville features a tough 3-block climb to the finish.
Right from the start, the attacks flew and continued non-stop throughout the race. As quickly as men escaped off the front, they would be chased down and more would go. With ten laps to go, Frank Pipp, the 2011 overall winner, launched from the pack and was followed by two others. Knowing the possible implications from this move, Competitive Cyclist fought to bring it back. As soon as Frank’s group was caught, Phil Gaimon (Kenda) countered and quickly got a fifteen second gap. BISSELL aided by Competitive Cyclist worked hard to bring him back and all were together with two laps to go. The BISSELL train lined up in preparation for a bunch sprint and delivered Eric Young to the line for the win. “The guys rode aggressively all day,” says Young. “Dahlheim and I were together in the closing laps. He led me through the last corner in first and second, and I finished it off.”
Jeremy Vennell maintained his position to finish 5th overall. With time bonuses, Eric climbed into 14th, and Ben Jacques-Maynes rounded out the top twenty in the general classification.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday's 114 mile road race again started with a flurry of attacks. An early two man break kept the race under control going into the first of four laps, but after forty five miles of racing it was gruppo compacto. At sixty miles to go, a group of three including BJM got away. With thirty to go, the gap was at 1:25 but some pressure from the chase and the uphill terrain saw the time margin drop quickly. By 30 to go, they were reabsorbed. Again, attacks ensued but all were together in the final miles when BISSELL took control of the front. The perfectly formed BISSELL train was set to go but the narrowing road and a sudden touch of a wheel wreaked havoc in the final kilometers. A bad crash at the front took down most of the BISSELL Team, as well as, many of the highest placed riders. BISSELL's Andrew Dahlheim managed through the chaos to take 4th on the stage. "The team rode great all day," says Director Kem. "It was just bad luck in the finale as the road got narrow. We were in control and confident about the finish."
Sunday's final stage is an eighty five minute Crit with significant time bonuses available. As we know from last year's final stage where BISSELL pulled off a come from behind win, it's not over till it's over!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Video: This summer the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be finishing in Beaver Creek, CO. Professional Cyclist Chris Baldwin came up to test the stage and discusses his strategy for the race. Don't miss the finish in Beaver Creek on August 23!
