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El Pollo Sails to Victory - Monday, August 23, 2004 at 10:06
In a series of races that started as early as February, with the Tour de Lion, Branch Brook Park racing came to a close today with the Sweet Summer Classic, its final event of the 2004 season. These races have served as early season training grounds for many this year. However, just as racers garnered some strength in the form of fitness, the folks at Premier Cycling Promotions, Jeff and Ray Smith, offered lucrative prize lists in races such as the Paul Heller Memorial, and the Cherry Blossom Tour, which turned training races into epic races.

The picture perfect weather conditions today was a fitting way to end this series, although the magnificent beach-day would prove frustrating to riders who wished for a whittled down selection. With not a cloud in the sky, and no wind, today's race proved rather facile for the majority of today's participants.

As Mrs. Black, a staunch Branch Brook Park race supporter readied the racers with some words of wisdom, the whistle blew as the large pack set about.

Immediately, a group of 4 riders escaped the grips of the lackadaisical peloton and rapidly gained precious seconds. In this breakaway was John Loehner (CRCA/Sakonett), John Verhuel (Ideal Tile), who is a cycling coach for Cycle-Smart, veteran Mike Rosenhaus (Northeastern Hardware), as well as former Soviet junior standout, Vladamir Borokov (Somerset Wheelman). However, without two of today's strongest teams represented, GS Mengoni and ACT/UPMC, few took this move very seriously, but the gap was rising. To be sure, though, without additional riders making it across to provide assistance, this 1st-lap move was destined for failure. Within 3-laps, time gaps were reported at 45 seconds, and this escape was proving more serious than previously thought.

Meanwhile, back in the main bunch, an organized chase was not present, as teams decided to play the waiting game, hoping the other would do the dirty-work. Team ACT/UPMC had two of today's fastest sprinters in Joe Papp, and Uruguayan ace, Gregorio Bare, while GS Mengoni possessed the other notable sprinter in the race, Roosevelt "Pollo" Martes. Also present today was the Gotham Cyclist team, who currently employ former World Masters Sprint Champion, Gil Hatton.

With 14-laps left to race, the halfway point on the 2.2 mile pancake flat course, and the day's sole breakaway losing steam, Mike McGinley (CVC Pig Iron) attacked sharply just after the start/finish line, only to have his move squandered by teams represented in the break, which was currently less than 30-seconds up the rode. Numerous other racers attacked the main bunch in hopes of reaching the breakaway, but once again, members of the Ideal Tile team, who was by and large the most heavily populated of any team in the race, refused to work with these moves; which would have, in effect, placed two or more of their riders in the break. This tactical blunder played right into the hands of the sprinters, as a massive field sprint would now surely evolve.

Sure enough, with 8-laps remaining, the main breakaway tired, and was caught by the rested peloton. Three laps later, a serious move containing Joe Papp, among a few others went off the front, as the peloton was splintered along the backstretch of the course. An unbeknown rider slid out right in front of Papp on the only turn of the course -- a sweeping left-hander and both riders hit the deck. With free lap rule expired, and Papp's bike impaired, one of today's favorites was forced to abandon. The pack was now together as it prepared for the sprint.

With 1.5-laps to-go, track specialist, Mike Beers, shot out of the bunch, and put his speed to practice. Beers was caught just before the finish line, which was ringing signifying 1-lap remaining. GS Mengoni then readied their lead-out train, with Eugene Boronow, followed by Glenn Schneider, who took the bunch all the way to the home stretch with 1 km remaining. Just as GS Mengoni's final lead-out man, Jason Schneider, was about to give it full gas, Pollo, their sprinter had lost contact. Surprisingly, it wasn't the ACT/UPMC team that flew past in this moment of hesitation, it was the High Gear squad who took the bull by the horns. Pollo quickly regained contact with J. Schneider, who abruptly attacked the High Gear train, and started sprinting full boar with 800 meters remaining. Schneider swung off with 300 meters to-go, as Pollo jumped hard and quickly gained a bike length on Bare who would eventually close-in on Pollo. Pollo did indeed hold Bare off in the finish, but only just, as a wheel is all that separated first from second. Dominican Republic National team rider Wendy Cruz rounded out today's podium.

RaceListings.com caught up with longtime GS Mengoni team manager, MR.I, who was quite pleased with his team's performance today. "The team worked together flawlessly which resulted in "Pollo's" win. I was very proud of the teamwork they displayed," noted MR.I.

RaceListings would like to congratulate Premier Cycling Promotions on a superbly run assortment of races this season. The Branch Brook Park racing series will recommence next season, 2005, with the Tour de Lion, held in the final week of February. Until then.

Pro,1,2
Sweet Summer Classic (Branch Brook Park)
August, 22, 2004
100km
Results

1. Roosevelt "Pollo" Martes - GS Mengoni
2. Gregorio Bare - ACT/UPMC
3. Wendy Cruz - Dominican Republic
4. Igor Misicki - High Gear
5. Gil Hatton - Gotham Cyclists
6. Alberto Blanco - Unattached
7. Pablo Castro - Ideal Tile
8. Adam Pantastico - Ideal Tile
9. Matteo Sasso - ACT/UPMC
10. Bill Elliston - Ideal Tile
 

This report was written by:
Jason Schneider / RaceListings.com