|
High place at Branch Brook. - Saturday, March
27, 2004 at 11:55 |
Today's Branch Brook Park, "St. Patrick's Day Tour," as
the folks at "Premiere Cycling Promotions" dubbed it, marked not only
the first day of spring, but the debut of a 15 place-per-race
accumulating overall series, commencing on April 24, "The Cherry Blossom
Challenge." The winner of today's race would receive a flashy race
leaders jersey, in addition to 50 points for the win. The remainder of
the points would be dispersed among the race's top-15 finishers in a
declining fashion.
Racers traveled from far and near, to compete in this opening series.
While many could simply commute to the event by bike, others, such as
the team "Espoir Laval," made the journey today all the way from
Montreal, Canada, in an effort to have the luxury of racing in a warmer
atmosphere. In addition, the Navigators Insurance squad sent a scant few
of their top professionals, while their amateur team (Watchung/High
Gear), was clearly a force to be reckoned with today. Other top amateur
teams included North East Hardeware, GS Mengoni, Ideal Tile/Brielle
Cyclery, among numerous other influential instigators.
With snow, and other forms of inclement weather hovering over the
Tri-State, NY area for the better part of the week, riders were forced
to show up to the start today somewhat malnourished, as far as their
training is concerned. With the increased distance to 55-miles, this
could be a crucial deciding factor towards the finale.
After the customary announcements made by the chief official, the
pleasantries came to a halt, the whistle was blown, and the game faces
were drawn. From the start, many tested the waters of the peloton,
however none with any success. Gradually the pace was becoming
increasingly higher, as the lap card, originally numbered 25, lessened.
With an extremely large field, the extra firepower courtesy of the
Navigators, the pace this week was noticeably quicker than that of
previous weeks.
Riders were constantly separating themselves from the field, but with
limited success. Finally, a rather large number of riders broke free
with 10 laps remaining. This group contained many of the day's heavy
hitters including Rafael Urzedowski and Ed Beamon (both-Watchung/High
Gear), Eugene Boronow and Jason Schneider (both-GS Mengoni), Dave Martin
and Lou Schimmel (Both- North Eastern Hardware), John Durso (Liberty)
Chris Rozdilsky (CRCA Sakonnet), among a few unidentified, albeit
contributing others. The pace was extremely high as this large powerful
group pressed on, in the stereotypical unorganized large group fashion.
After numerous attacks earlier in the day, this move seemed to be the
one.
The pack just behind had other ideas, however, and after 3 laps this
large group was diffused, as the pack reshuffled. Just one-half-lap
later, sensing the time was just right, a new breakaway was formulated
consisting of six riders from various important teams. This final
selection consisted of Rozdilsky, Boronow, former Olympic gold medalist
Marty Nothstein (Navigators), Gui Nelesson (Nerac.com), David Wiswell (Gotham
Cyclists), and Australian rider, Ben Linsay (Ideal Tile).
With the proper team combinations represented, save North Eastern
Hardware who would spend the remainder of the event chasing in vain,
this breakaway was a well oiled machine. Lap after lap the break
increased its lead, with an unattainable 40 second gap reported to the
pack with just 3 laps to go.
Unwilling to succumb to the near fatal sprint of Nothstein, Boronow shot
out on his own with 2.5 laps remaining. Boronow dangled out in front for
almost a mile, when the remaining 5 escapees all worked together, and
reeled Boronow in. Shortly thereafter, with little more than 1 lap
remaining, Nelessen tried his hand and darted away from the break just
before the sole left-hand turn on the course. As the remaining 5 looked
at each other for the answer, Nelesson continued to power on. Nelesson
stayed away the entire last lap, and would go on to take a genuine
victory, while Nothstien out-sprinted the rest of the break, followed by
Linsay, Boronow, Wiswell and Rozdilsky. In the bunch gallop just behind
for the final remaining 11 spots viable for points, last week's victor,
Rafael Urzedowski, was the fastest snatching 7th place, while
46-year-old Glenn Schneider (GS Mengoni) rounded out the top ten in
today's featured event.
Upon the finish, RaceListings.com caught up with today's 5th place
finisher, David Wiswell, who noted, "Spending December and January in
Australia, racing against top pro's like Graeme Brown, and doing track
racing there [Australia] also, with Gui [Nelesson], really helped my
fitness."
Stay tuned for next week's "Tour de Lamb". Note: Next weeks event will
be held on Sunday.
St. Patrick's Day Tour / Branch Brook Park Series Round 4
Pro 1-2-3 Race (55 miles)
March 20, 2004
1. Guillame Nelesson - Nerac.com
2. Martin Nothstein - Navigators Insurance
3. Benjamen Linsay - Ideal Tile/Brielle Cyclery
4. Eugene Boronow - GS Mengoni
5. David Wiswell - Gotham Cyclists
6. Chris Rozdilsky - CRCA/Sakonnet Technology
7. Rafael Urzedowski - Watchung/High Gear
8. John Durso - Liberty
9. Jason Schneider - GS Mengoni
10. Glenn Schneider - GS Mengoni
This report was written by:
Jason Schneider
|
|
