Race Results

1/2/3 Race report:

It seems that in whichever race Joshua Gerwitz (NECSA) enters, he ends up in the winning break. The 1/2/3 race proved to be no exception when he and three powerful racers rode away from a large field. His breakmates included strongman Louis Schimmel (Montclair), the powerful Casey King (Yale), and a smooth working Charles Whalen (Sleepy Hollow). Only Whalen had any teammates in the field, but they were badly out numbered by the everyone else. The break had to ride hard to stay away so that's what they did. None of the break riders had any prior GC points - this reduced the GC contenders in the field to squabbling amongst themselves. In the end, the field did not cooperate and never managed to get organized enough to chase effectively. Marked racers like Curt Davis (Wheelworks), GC leader John Idone (Remax), overall contender Anthony Allesio (Remax), and Ray Diaz (Gap) made many moves but with the field giving them no slack, no one could not escape. At the line, Schimmel finished strongest, with an exhausted Gerwitz in second. King finished a strong third and Whalen hung in for fourth. A little while later, Stephen Gray (Bethel Cycle) led the field in for fifth. Diaz managed to salvage a point by placing just behind.

Cat 3/4 Race Report:

A close to record 80+ rider 3/4 field set off to what would become a hotly contested race. Brian Girard's (Stage One Cycling) team prepared to defend his lead and closely followed every move that went clear. His biggest rival, Jorge Ortiz (Tarrytown CC), had his team follow moves too. What ultimately happened was that a break would go, one of the overall racers' team would bridge a rider, then the other would chase, bringing it back together. Mixing it up again was Capital Bike from Albany, eager to join the fray. Mid-race, Ortiz bridged to a promising break lead by Mark Cunningham (Pig Iron). Stage One seemed to have collectively missed the move and they quickly started moving up to the front. However, Girard, chided earlier by his teammates for making too many efforts, launched himself to the break, finding himself with John Interland (Ridgefield Bank) in no man's land. Interland quickly set about closing the growing gap, and a lap later, a break of nine had formed. Other strong men included Tom Cromie (Unattached), Sal Abbruzzesse (Moneygram), and Eastern Bloc's Craig Kennedy. Stage One, in a display of team dominance, shut down every move that went until the race got into the last five laps. The break, never more than 30 seconds clear, came close to being caught when, at two to go, the gap stood at 6 seconds (!). But Stage One once again swarmed the front and the gap quickly went back up. At the bell, Cunningham launched a last lap effort, marked by Ortiz and company. Ortiz won a close sprint from Cromie. Cunningham earned third, with Girard finishing an off-form fourth. Abbruzzesse finished fifth, and Desimes rounded out the points earners in sixth.

Master 40+ Race Report:

This week, with a record 50+ racers in the Master 40+ field alone, no one could get away. Although they let an attack go up the road, it was a junior and they seemed to be more concerned with themselves. John Funk (Ridgefield Bank) was impressive with his numerous attacks, but none would stick. Considered too dangerous in a break, the others preferred to contain Funk in the field where his sprint could do less damage. One his moves looked promising when Morgan Stebbins (Bethel Cycle), Rich Foley (Laurel), and one other racer joined him. Ray Ruyack (Bethel Cycle), spotting the move, gapped them off the front. But a few racers made significant efforts and brought them back after a few laps. Another Bethel rider Brian Wolf (Bethel Cycle) was extremely visible, making tons of moves designed to draw out opposing team riders and make them work. In the end, with the race coming down into the final laps, Greg Pelican (Bethel Cycle) launched a final attack with just over a lap to go. Although reeled in, he set up his team to do another massive leadout, with Wolf fulfilling his role as the ultimate team racer. His leadout set up defending champ Stebbins so well that Stebbins couldn't help by win. His injury-recovering teammate Scott Boden (Bethel Cycle) finished a close second. Rich Foley (Laurel) managed a strong third, marked as he was by everyone else. As fourth finisher Charlie Mattison (Tokeneke) said, "Well, I saw Rich and I knew he'd do well so I got on his wheel". Horacio Ahumada (Tarrytown CC), in a hotly contested finish, finished fifth in the wild sprint. Jon Munsen (Ridgefield Bank) watched Ahumada finish from the last points place in sixth.

Women's Race Report:

Once again, the Women's race ended with Penny Buchar (WebEvent.com) and teammate Laura Summers (WebEvent.com) finishing first and second. Both did a good job to hang onto an extremely aggressive race, showcased by countless attacks by the same-field Master 40+'s and Juniors. Mary Ellen Calandrillo (NJ Rock N Road) also finished with the group, with Pam Allessio (Verizon) in there as well. Kathleen Shaw (Verizon) finished fourth in the tough race.

Junior Race Report:

The Junior field, although numerically small, animated the whole M40/W/Jr race. Kisenna's Matt Crane launched himself a la Sean Nealy and started riding away from the field. Even with some aggressive chasing, he managed to eek out and maintain a 30 second gap. But as the remaining laps started dwindling down and the Masters started their own battles, he started to come back. He crossed the line solo after an impressive display of power, discipline, and form. The other juniors contested their sprint with Keith Jennings (Unattached)taking the sprint for second. Kyle Drennan (Unattached) finished third while Brian Hayes (Laurel) hung on for fourth. Robert Crowther (BCC/Bikereg.com) placed a hard earned fifth.

Cat 4 Race Report:

I'm sorry but I don't have a report. Can someone email me their experience in this race (include as many characters as possible and then no one will be able to tell it was you). Basically, William Thompson (AMC Cycling) won the sprint, followed by Daniel Norwood (Powder Ridge). Kevin Haley (NJ Rock N Road) finished an excellent third, with Alan Toorean (Tokeneke) finally earning points for all his hard work. Turgit Balikci (Unattached) placed fifth with Carlos Quinteros (Tarrytown CC) placing in the final scoring position.

Cat 5 Race Report:

The Cat 5 race ended up being super aggressive once again. Andrew Lobsenz (Bethel Cycle), a main animator of each of the Cat 5 races, launched a move that quickly drew the attention of the savy Jon Loughrey (Don's Cycle), Rob Scott (Unattached), and Stewart Campbell (NH Cycling Club). Lobsenz's teammate John Meyerly (Bethel Cycle) tagged along for the ride. Lobsenz pressed hard for several laps until the break stabilized. In the field, racers like Ian Ray (Unattached) who had missed the move tried to chase, but they were severely marked by Bethel Cycle racers, notably Scott Harper (Bethel Cycle). At the end, Scott won the sprint from Campbell and also took the overall lead of the Series. Loughrey finished a fine third, tying Scott on points. Just behind, teammates Meyerly and Lobsenz finished fourth and fifth respectively. Steve Odonovan lead the field in for the last points place in sixth.