Final Fling Criterium & Mini-T 2-Person 5 KM Prologue May 4th, 2003

How fitting that the final fling had a 30 minutes heavy rain and storm delay and only 30 miles northwest of Lawrence Twisters were ravaging the ground. How close were they? Close enough.

The race was dry and warm for the Mini-T 2 person team prologue. Twenty plus mile an hour winds smacked the racers on the long drag south towards Clinton Lake. It was a battle of wits as the close formation of the team prologue required extreme skill on the tight corners, chicanes, and turn-around. John Hackman and Steve Rouff easily set the fastest time on the 5 KM course but a surprising Dean Parker and Rusty Sallee were only 29 seconds back. A great performance by the Team X duo with combined race age around 100!

Kelly B and Sarah T from Illinois beat home town favorites Tammy Spray and Glenda Taylor. Similar to the Men's 1/2/3's Tammy and Glenda's combined race aging was almost twice that of their competition. The KU duo of Jessica and Jennifer were only 4 seconds behind Tammy and Glenda.

The Final Fling crit sponsored by Anam Gathering got off to a fast start. Roger Lomshek of Pittsburgh, Kansas spent most the day off the front of the Masters 35+. Roger pulled off the win with Curt Shelman of RCRC in 2nd.

The category 5 race saw a new face Armando Sanchez with the win. I guess winning the Mini-T Cat 5 prologue by himself wasn't enough! KCOI's Adrian O'hara placed his highest yet with Scott Smith completing the top three.

Joseph Schmalz finally got the better of team mate Adam Lang in the Youth race. KCBC's Christian Lewis debut in third.

The Category 3/4 race saw an early attack by Andy Chocha and Thom Leonard. Two Team X riders bridged up to them and they swept the top three. Rumor has it a local KC race promoter and company gave up the top spots without a fight. It's surprising to see Team X show so much mercy in the 3/4's when they don't receive any in the 1/2/3 races. The entire day riders kept poppin off the front and Jim Whittaker won the pack sprint for 10th. Oh, and that's after he ran over a 5 foot black snake on the course.

Sara Tillotson's late lap attack caught the local women off guard and Kelly Benjamin won the close field sprint with Tammy Spray in third. German sensation Tanja Hess came in 4th.

KCOI's Craig Bissell came in 3rd in the Cat 4/5 Final Fling and Jack Mason jumped hard before the last corner and easily held the pack off for the win. Chris Hess, Anam Gathering Director finished 4th and that was after the 24.7 mph Cat 3/4 race.

The final Final Fling race was brutal. Only twenty category 1/2/3 cyclists but they were ready to say good bye to Clinton Lake racing with a bang. The 20+ mph cross winds next to the lake made for a hard race. Bill Stotle of Bike Source and John Hackman of Team X Cycling broke away to almost lap the field in the 26 mile race. Bill jumped John with a few laps left to join what was left of the pack. Bill won the race and teammate Chris Johnson won the pack sprint. Smart teammates Lance Sulzen and Steve Schneller dropped back to keep John in contact. John Hackman placed 2nd to score his best placing ever in a 1/2/3 race and coach Jim Whittaker even predicted it! It takes around 6 months to build peak performance, start training in December, add time and smart work... Velotek athletes took 3 of the top 5 places and it was their 3rd race of the day! www.velotek.com

Rusty Sallee and Dean Parker dominated the Masters 40+ TTT

Joseph Schmalz's &  Adam Lang of Team X put the mini in Mini-T.

Maybe John know's something we don't.

Becky was all smiles after the Mini-T.

Big C train coming and Blue River going.

Final lap sprint in the middle of the Masters 35+ pack.

.

Andy Cocha was the diesel driving the break away bus in the 3/4 race and took 1st honors.

.

8-year old Ryan Jackson battles with 11-year old Blake Albrecht of Team X Cycling.

Kelly B. caught in mid-flight. Kelly was seen mixing it up in the 3/4 race.

17 year old John Hackman pulls with Cat I Bill Stotle on the winning break.

Top 3 in the 1/2/3 Prologue.

The camera freezes El Gringo as the competition melts away...

Jack Mason of Tailwind's drinks to his 1st place in the 4/5's.

Chocha chokes and the Cat 1/2/3 Podium. Guess which rider barely survived happy hour on Friday!

Meetings on May 8 and 22 to explore soulful living. Contact Chris Hess at (913) 551-7213 or fit4action@yahoo.com

Photo Gallery at bottom of page.