Velotek Grand Prix Criterium

 presented by Anam Gathering.

 Race #5 in the Velotek.com Summer Sizzler Series.

Special thanks to super volunteer Roger Harrison and Santa Fe Trail Bike Shop & Coffee Shop. Shop owner Brendan Sheehan's done a lot for local cycling. Don't miss his Doin Time in Leavenworth Race Sunday September 21st. Race Flyer.

Velotek Grand Prix makes Cycling News, the world's biggest source for International Cycling News.

September 14th, 2003. Leavenworth, Kansas.

The Velotek Grand Prix using roads and part of the Warren Middle School is unique. Two long straights and one coned off section of parking area made for high speeds and chicanes. If you love to dig into the corners then it was your kind of race. Sparks were flying with all the low-profile pedals being scrapped. It sounded like 1985 toe clips but the corners were just that tight. Temperatures around 25 Celsius with full sun and a blustery north wind at 30 to 40 KM made the going tough.

Local rider Liz Burke (Santa Fe Trail Bike & Coffee Shop) lapped the women’s field in her cycling debut, the day before she won a local 10k running race. Carrie Thompson (Kansas State University) of Manhattan, KS placed a strong 2^nd racing and race helper Stacie Tripodi placed 3^rd.

The Cat 4/5’s pack attacked the fast but tricky course with unusual aplomb. A season plagued by spills and scrapes was uneventful and the newer riders showed up to race. The field sprint was taken by experienced racer Brian Parks (Santa Fe Trail Bike & Coffee Shop) with Team X Cycling’s Dean Parker and Chris Hall 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Chris Hall (www.teamxcycling.com) packs a strong sprint for a rider at 55 kilo’s.  Fourth place goes to perennial podium man Chris Chorice (Team Unknown) who has been improving his sprint this year.

The large ¾ field was driven early on by a hard charging Jim Whittaker (www.teamxcycling.com). Jim’s hard work paved the way for a 3 man breakaway of Ed Noll (Bikes-n-Boards), JB Vowell (Santa Fe Trail Bike & Coffee Shop) and Mike Koons (Team X). Mike nipped sprinter Ed Noll for 1^st and JB placed a strong 3^rd on his hometown turf.

KU cycling rider Joe Christman continued his fast racing in the Cat 5's by placing 2nd in only his second weekend of racing.. Tom Meyer of "The Team" won the Cat 5 race. Tom's Team sports a good looking blue jersey design.

The 1/2/3 race was a Bike Source clean sweep but not until Lance Sulzen bowed out with a defective tire. Lance shadowed Adam Mills while they were in-between the leaders and the pack. Shadd Smith and Brian Jensen lapped the field for a 1st and 2nd and Steve Rouff won the pack sprint for 4th. Ed Noll continued his strong performances and Bill Marshall road well. Win or lose all riders enjoyed the challenging corners and non-stop action of the Velotek Grand Prix.

The Alta-Sport, LC staff thanks our sponsors, volunteers and customers for helping us bring 21 days of racing to the Lawrence, Kansas race scene. It's been a challenging year but the growth of the category 4/5 fields and junior/youth fields are a testament to the growing scene.         

Until March 2004, see you at the Spring Fling!

Alta-Sport, LC Staff.

Anam Gathering makes it happen!

Dean and Brian Parks fight for 1st in the 4/5 race.

Shad Smith in action.

Adam Mills pushes the limit.

The 1/2/3 race on rivets.

Joe Christman and Adam Lang race the Cat 5's.

1/2/3 Peleton starts.

Free junior racing courtesy of Alta-Sport, LC.

Cat 5 podium.

New blood in the woman's race.

Young athletes.

Steve Rouff continues his strong season.

Bill Marshall checks the rearview mirror!