photo from viewfrommylens.comChocolay ACE Cycling Team returned to this 4 day stage race in Duluth,MN to battle it out with the upper Midwest contingent of cyclists from Wisconsin and Minnesota. This is a cumulative time stage race consisting of a 16mi Individual Time Trial, 42mi flat road race, 63 mi hilly/mtn. road stage and capped off with a 45 minute 1 km Crit. The men entered the Open Cat3/4 division with the lone female member fending for herself in the Womens Cat4.
First stage had Jeff pulling out an excellent Time Trail for 6th place. Andy, Derek and Tony bunched together at 2 minutes behind followed by Wes and Tom. Domestique duties were clear from here on. Andrea presented herself with an enormous task ahead finishing minutes behind the leaders.
Second stage for the men had Andy capturing a second place in a bunch sprint on the first lap for some KOM points! Not to be outdone on the second lap, and stomping some authority into the race was Wes out sprinting the field for a first place to capture top sprint points on the day!! Protecting Jeff's 6th place was accomplished by the team today.
Andrea took the field by storm today; accomplishing a first place in the field sprint on lap 1 for top sprint points. With the final lap in action, this girl was just warming up. Out sprinting the field, Andrea captured FIRST place in this stage. With a time bonus award Andrea is moving up on her competition.
Third stage was the day of reckoning. A 5 lap hilly circuit of 12+ miles per lap included a leg bustin' 1 km climb that capped off at 10% gradient. Hoping to improve Jeff's placing the team worked hard all day to deliver him into a strong finishing position. First up saw Tom take a flyer from the beginning 2 mile mark hoping to draw some support out from the other contenders. After one lonely lap, the peloton arrived for an easy lap. By the third lap a split in the peloton established order on the day. Jeff, Derek and Wes made the lead group with Tony and Tom chasing just minutes behind. Andy's mechanical left him out for a long ride. In the end Jeff lost 3 places, dropping to 9th overall with Derek and Wes firmly placed in the middle.
Andrea continued with her determination and placed 4th on todays' stage. She captured valuable KOM and sprint points today and is now leading this competition! This young lady has moved herself up and into 8th place overall!!
Last stage is the criterium. Hope you have a little left in the tank because this 1 km course has just enough of a steep little climb to make it hard and harder after each lap. Knowing it will be hard for Jeff to advance, the team is focused and ready for some hard riding. Wes was brilliant once again in the final sprint and pulled out a 3rd place!!
ANDREA was a one woman wrecking crew today. She had nothing to lose today and everything to gain. The results proved that this girl is on form. Finishing third today in a field sprint!! Wow, Andrea wrapped up 8th place overall and took TOP honors in the Sprint Point Classification AND the KOM Points!!! Congrats to Andrea on a strong 4 day performance!
Jeff finished overall in the final standings at 10th position. Wes accomplished 3rd place overall in the Sprint Point Classification, no small feat in this group of riders. Andy and Tom earned KOM points finishing 4th and 6th respectively! Racing in this open division was a challenging test of mental and physical strength. Getting stronger and looking forward to the next race is now on the menu for the Chocolay ACE Cycling Team. Further results:
http://www.duluth-classic.com/results.htm
First stage had Jeff pulling out an excellent Time Trail for 6th place. Andy, Derek and Tony bunched together at 2 minutes behind followed by Wes and Tom. Domestique duties were clear from here on. Andrea presented herself with an enormous task ahead finishing minutes behind the leaders.
Second stage for the men had Andy capturing a second place in a bunch sprint on the first lap for some KOM points! Not to be outdone on the second lap, and stomping some authority into the race was Wes out sprinting the field for a first place to capture top sprint points on the day!! Protecting Jeff's 6th place was accomplished by the team today.
Andrea took the field by storm today; accomplishing a first place in the field sprint on lap 1 for top sprint points. With the final lap in action, this girl was just warming up. Out sprinting the field, Andrea captured FIRST place in this stage. With a time bonus award Andrea is moving up on her competition.
Third stage was the day of reckoning. A 5 lap hilly circuit of 12+ miles per lap included a leg bustin' 1 km climb that capped off at 10% gradient. Hoping to improve Jeff's placing the team worked hard all day to deliver him into a strong finishing position. First up saw Tom take a flyer from the beginning 2 mile mark hoping to draw some support out from the other contenders. After one lonely lap, the peloton arrived for an easy lap. By the third lap a split in the peloton established order on the day. Jeff, Derek and Wes made the lead group with Tony and Tom chasing just minutes behind. Andy's mechanical left him out for a long ride. In the end Jeff lost 3 places, dropping to 9th overall with Derek and Wes firmly placed in the middle.
Andrea continued with her determination and placed 4th on todays' stage. She captured valuable KOM and sprint points today and is now leading this competition! This young lady has moved herself up and into 8th place overall!!
Last stage is the criterium. Hope you have a little left in the tank because this 1 km course has just enough of a steep little climb to make it hard and harder after each lap. Knowing it will be hard for Jeff to advance, the team is focused and ready for some hard riding. Wes was brilliant once again in the final sprint and pulled out a 3rd place!!
ANDREA was a one woman wrecking crew today. She had nothing to lose today and everything to gain. The results proved that this girl is on form. Finishing third today in a field sprint!! Wow, Andrea wrapped up 8th place overall and took TOP honors in the Sprint Point Classification AND the KOM Points!!! Congrats to Andrea on a strong 4 day performance!
Jeff finished overall in the final standings at 10th position. Wes accomplished 3rd place overall in the Sprint Point Classification, no small feat in this group of riders. Andy and Tom earned KOM points finishing 4th and 6th respectively! Racing in this open division was a challenging test of mental and physical strength. Getting stronger and looking forward to the next race is now on the menu for the Chocolay ACE Cycling Team. Further results:
http://www.duluth-classic.com/results.htm
