2nd Annual Perry-Roubaix

April 13th, 2003

Brought to you by Sunflower outdoor & Bike, Cycle Works, Free State Brewery and Velotek.com.

Dry dusty roads and an unusually high temperature of 84 degrees took it's toll on the riders. The 15 mph south winds put the pack on the gutter during the exposed pave section's in zone 1 and 3.

Tammy Spray gave chase on her birthday to secure 2nd against her perennial competitor Glenda Taylor. It's no surprise that the only women brave enough to face the Roubaix have great attitudes. Go ladies!

A combination of Tony Smith ( Free State racing) applying pressure on the gravel and his competitors mechanical problems saw Tony take the King of the Hill and top podium spot. Bill Anderson (Team X Cycling.com) dug deep to bring home his best cycling finish since 1986.

Flat tires and the gusty south wind broke the Category 4/5 pack down early. Wheatland's Keith Walburg and Oz Bicycle Club's Keck Hartman battled to the last 3 inches. Keith nipped Keck in the closest finish of the day to win the Shimano Wheel set!

The Category 1/2/3 race was as epic as we had hoped for. With Sea Otter distracting the usual suspects the 2nd Annual Perry-Roubaix promised to be a KCBC vs. Team X Cycling.com showdown. Early in the race the fireworks started with a loud hissing noise. KCBC's Lynn Neir and Frank "The Jackal" Jakofcich and RCRC's Jay Blankenship all flatted on the gravel. The pack of Team X riders and Jason Knight from Dallas Texas were practicing their best team time trial strategy. Later in the chase Mike Cragun snuck off the front to win the King of the Hill and to call it a day. The KCBC duo closed the minute gap on the pack not knowing Mike Cragun had escaped and helped by Lance Sulzen's crash on gravel. Eventually when it became clear that Mike was off the front Frank blew the race apart, you could almost hear the wood splintering.  Jay, Frank, Lynn and Steve stayed away from the Team X chasers the rest of the day. Frank hit the gravel sections as hard as he could hoping his fierce tempo and the equally fierce cross wind would crack Steve Rouff. Even though Perry-Roubaix was Steve's 6th race in three days Steve sat on and easily won the hill sprint victory. The biggest heart award goes to Frank for shaping the race outcome. Rumor has it that next year other riders will be riding the secret weapon tires from Sunflower Outdoor and Bike!

Special Photos showing a different aspect of the race. All 9 pics are loaded and then show as a slideshow. Very cool...

Cat 1/2/3's climb the hill.

Tony Smith hunts down Walt on his cross bike.

The wrath of the Jackal unfolds!

John Hackman feels the wrath...

Mike slides back as the train leaves the station.

Tammy Spray celebrates her birthday by taking 2nd!

Do you think they are breathing yet?

Sunflower Bike shop's Big D keeps the wheels rolling.

Tony Smith stands atop the Masters podium.

Jason Knight of Dallas Texas misses the view.

1/2/3's podium including Michael Cragun KOH Winner.

Lance Sulzen half way through the pave.

Photo Gallery at bottom of page.

Category 4/5 Podium. Keith won the wheels!