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Bunny Chase Criterium & Bunny Run Rudy Project Prologue

April 11th, 2003

Area racers were treated to the first perfect day of racing of the 2003 cycling season. Mid-seventies, almost no wind and sunny skies made racing that much faster. Steve Rouff of Team X Cycling smashed the previous Rudy Project prologue course record of 3:32 by Steve Tilford with a blistering 3:19. Proof that Steve is a prologue specialist of sorts was that this was his 3rd prologue he's raced in and the 3rd one he has won. Time trial newcomer Andy Chocha posted a strong second place time. Rusty

Sallee racing as a Cat 4/5 even though he is 45+ set the new Masters and Cat 4/5 record of 3:33. Rusty knew he had done it when he coughed up a few bits of his lungs post ride. Versatile all-rounder Dean Parker put in a strong showing with a 3:40 showing he is not just a US National cross silver medalist.

Nick Crawford set the Category 5 record at the Rudy Project Prologue and Michael Moore continued his strong showing as a new cyclist! Tammy Spray of Free State Racing set the women's course record with a 4:02. Tammy's in her second year of racing and is fast becoming the short course power threat.

Adam Lang and Joseph Schmalz continued to push each other to the limit with some excellent times.

The Bunny-Chase concept is simple, give the youth, women, and newer cyclist a head start and let the Category 4's, 3's, and 1/2's lose on them. As expected the 3's caught everyone but not before Team X Cycling juniors scooped up the first primes on lap #1 and #2. Two place primes were on the line every lap of the 13 lap race. The bulk of the primes went to the 4's and 5's and the 3's received their share when they caught the bunnies around mid-race. Many cyclists commented that this was their favorite race of the year. All levels of cyclist on the course at the same time, there is something strangely fun about running scared. Chris Hess and Kevin McComas tried to organize the 4's into a cohesive pace line but it was too little too late.

With two laps to go lapped Category 2 racer Adam Bills of Whole Foods hit the front hard to pull Category 4 Wheatland rider Jack Mason off the front. Jim Whittaker of Team X responded by sitting on Jack. With 1/2 lap to go Team X's Andy Chocha attacked with teammate Steve Rouff. Steve launched into the Chicanes and used his superior bike handling to easily hold the lead for first 2 to 3 seconds ahead of the pack. Sprinter Jim Whittaker put his head down into the Chicanes to pass a few riders to win the pack sprint. Jason Knight finished 3rd to display his improving sprint. All-rounder Lance Sulzen showed his versatility by finishing in 4th place.

Rudy Project 2.5 KM Prologue Time Trial

Cat	Name	Elapsed Time	MPH
Cat 1/2/3	Steve Rouff	0:03:19	28.22
Cat 1/2/3	Andy Chocha	0:03:25	27.40
Cat 1/2/3	JB Vowell	0:03:31	26.62
Cat 1/2/3	John Hackman	0:03:32	26.49
Cat 1/2/3	Jason Knight	0:03:35	26.12
Cat 1/2/3	Jim Whittaker	0:03:39	25.64
Cat 1/2/3	Lance Sulzen	0:03:41	25.41
Cat 1/2/3	Ed Noll	0:03:43	25.18
Cat 1/2/3	Jim Coker	0:04:06	22.83
Cat 4/5	Rusty Sallee	0:03:33	26.37
Cat 4/5	Dean Parker	0:03:40	25.53
Cat 4/5	Chris Hess	0:03:43	25.18
Cat 4/5	Keith Walhberg	0:03:45	24.96
Cat 4/5	Jack Mason	0:03:47	24.74
Cat 5	Nick Crawford	0:03:46	24.85
Cat 5	Michael Moore	0:03:47	24.74
Cat 5	Christopher Chorice	0:03:50	24.42
Cat 5	Dave Vieglais	0:03:52	24.21
Cat 5	Rob Prevost	0:03:56	23.80
Cat 5	Gary McGregor	0:04:10	22.46
Women	Tammy Spray	0:04:02	23.21
Youth Boys	Adam Lang	0:04:30	20.80
Youth Boys	Joseph Smaltz	0:04:33	20.57
Youth Girls	Troy Nelson	0:05:01	18.66