Mojo's Sub-Artic Crit Series
Race #2
March 8th, 2003
Today's race brought to you by Paceline Products, Fuji Bicycles, Cycle Works, Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, & Red Bull.
From out of the blue today's Mojo's Spring Fling draws the largest race field ever at an Alta Sport, LC event. Including double entrants we had 139 racers, highlights being, 14 women & youth, and 43 Category 4/5 racers! Race promoter Jim Whittaker says "It's very surprising considering our Weather.com day of 50 degrees or more was really a wind-chill of 10 to 20 degrees." Many racers complained they had never been so cold at a race, perhaps the 15 to 20 mph winds had something to do with that. Just when you thought last weeks "snowfest" could not get any worse, it did.
That said the hot racing did heat up the
spectators brave enough to withstand the cold. Viewers were excited by the
14 youth racers in the tundra like conditions. Adam Lang put in another
sterling performance in the youth race followed by Garrick Valverde and
Joseph Schmalz, all of Team X Cycling.
Ashley Noil's strong showing won the girl's
youth race and Team X riders Victoria "Tori" Nelson and Betsy Sallee made
the podium as well.
The women's open race was the Kelly Benjamin show off the front. New mother turned cyclist Tanja placed second and closet-cyclist (triathlete) Sheri Woiwood finished 3rd.
The Pro/1/2/3 race was another clinic on
breakaway efficiency when Bill Stolte, Shad Smith, and Steve Tilford all of
Bike Source, waved good-bye to the field. A few cyclists placed on the day
by sneaking away for the first points sprint.
The largest masters field ever with 30
riders saw a split of 15 riders form in the first few laps. The 15 to 25 mph
winds and 28 degree temperature made life hard for many cyclists. More than
a few were forced off into the grass on the treacherous cross wind section.
Shad Smith and Allan Craddock of RCRC broke away early and Bike Source's
Doug Plumer snuck off the front mid-race. Sprint machine Steve Rouff had a
picture perfect lead out by Team X team mate Mike Vickers to easily win the
field sprint.
Cookie had enough cold for one day!
Bikes and Board's Ashley Noil had a great ride with the girl's and boy's youth race.
Craig Bissell tailed by Kevin McComas and Colin Willet before a sprint.
Tori Nelson looks all pro on her Trek 1000. Tori spins for Team X Cycling.com
Bike Source's Doug Plumer tries out his turkey call in the PRO/1/2/3 field. Doug's 3rd place in the Masters field showed he was the hunter and not the hunted.
Bill Stotle, Steve Tilford and Shadd Smith make up the blue train.
Team X's newest youth rider hails from St. Louis, MO. Go Blake Go!
 Photo Gallery at bottom of page. Category 4/5 Race |
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Bike-fanatic,
Josh Wade of Wichita Kansas and Team X Cycling.com shows the love. Josh
stayed all day and even cheered on the Pro/1/2/3.
