Attack, keep rolling at 30mph, lap the field, keep the field in check. That's how it went down for the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team at the Piedmont Criterium. The Pro 1-2 twilight crit started late under the lights at 9:30. Our team was very active and worked great to cover everything as Chris jumped away with current Masters TT Nat. Champ Pete Cannel (Mob), and Bobby Sweeting (Toshiba Pro). After dropping Sweeting from the break. Chris and Pete kept the pace high on the classic 4 corner course. Jeremy, Darren, Reid, Mike, Adam and Knetch followed wheels and covered the field with included several strong riders from DLP Pro, Inferno, Jittery Joes, Toshiba, Time Pro Cycling and several other strong local elite racers. Chris and Pete lapped the field, deciding to dangle 3-5 seconds off the pack to keep from getting mixed up with everyone in the sprint. Darren (Mr. $ Banks) sprinted to win a sweet $100 prime with 5 laps to go, promting 4 other riders to jump just off the front. Jeremy rode like a madman to jump across to the chase group, attacking with 4 laps to go. Adam attacked with 2 laps to go, and Jeremy countered again with one lap to go. Knetch rode at the front and took 2nd in the fieldsprint for 8th place.
Women's Crit: Shalini and Lori's field was combined with the Jr's field. Coming down to a field sprint, Shalini and Lori took 7th and 8th, with local racer Holly Steelman (Juice Plus) winning the sprint.
Road Race: Hot, hilly and humid. From the gun, Jeremy Conn got up the road with Jon Hamblen(Time Pro), and Bobby Sweeting(Tosiba Pro). With the gap growing to 4.5 minutes Chris, Roger, Blair, Adam, Reid and Rigby rode tempo in the field. Jeremy finished 3rd, great result after being away for close to 50 miles in the heat. Great job Conn.
Women's RR: The newly wed Lauren Rigby proved that she is still was a fast sprint, taking a close 2nd in the field sprint after several weeks off the bike. With one lone racers off the front, Lauren finished 3rd overall with Shalini 6th. All in all a great weekend for the team and a successful first event for the promotors of the Piedmont Omnium.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
SRAM Force ROCKS!
The Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team is powered by SRAM. The SRAM Force group keeps us ahead of the pack, on top of our game, and on the podium. "Will you make the leap?" Trust us, you will be glad you did. We offer our utmost thanks to the folks at SRAM for their support of the team, and innovation in the world of cycling. The team's LeMond Zurich's are equipt with a full SRAM Force groupo, Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, Michelin Pro Race tires, KMC chain, Vetta V100 computer. What more could you ask for?
Nationals Update (Days 5-7) Fuller Takes 2nd!
Day 5: We woke to a hot, rainy morning for the women's 30-34 criterium at the famous Churchhill Downs (Kentucky Derby Horse Race Track). We went out to support Lori, knowing how much she loves to race in the rain. Lori did a great job covering early moves from the nervous field. With close to 10 laps to go, a strong group of 3 riders (including the 2007 Crit National Champion) broke free. Lori, and 5 other racers formed a chase group, with Lori coming to the line to claim a great 7th place finish. I think she was just happy to leave with all her skin.
Day 6: REST DAY- Finally. We drove out to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana to do a little spin on the time trial course. Nice relaxing flat route in some awesome country. We stayed together for the first mile or two...then it was ON! Seems like even we are not racing...we ARE racing, but it was great to clear our minds, legs and break some cabin fever.
Day 7: Last day, last races, last chance at the National jersey...pressure is on. Darren and Knetch raced first. A small group jumped free, and Knetch jumped on Dirk's wheel and almost got across. The lead reshuffled, and Darren jumped across to 2 lone riders to make the lead break of 3. Darren worked hard in the break to keep it away for close to 30 laps, eventually lapping the field with a chase group of 10+ racers. The chase group came bearing down, closing the gap to only 4 seconds with 2 laps to go. Darren sprinted to the line to take 2nd place! Our best finish so far. He was stocked, and we were pumped going into our races.
While Darren styled for his podium pics, Chris, Conn, Shane, Scottie, and Blair lined up to do battle in the 35-39 crit. From the gun the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys were super aggressive. Scottie started the first move, which Conn countered to establish the lead break. Chris bridged up to the break with 3 other riders. Chris and Conn started driving the break to build up a lead of close to 1 min. Scottie and two other riders jumped clear, and started the long process of trying to bridge across, which they did with close to 10 laps to secure us 3 men in the lead break of 11. This group of 11 lapped the field, and unfortunately had to come to the line of the sprint along with all the other lapped riders fighting for 12th place. We came out 7th, 8th, and 9th place. Not the finish we were hoping for, but we were all proud at how strong the boys rode. Big props to Blair and Shane for covering the field and keeping the wolves at bay, saving up for a strong leadout and sticking to the plan.
Blair and Adam went to work in the last race of the day (30-34). Bruce and Adam were aggressive early on, covering Texas Roadhouse and Crater from Wheel and Sprocket. Bruce got in a small group up the road, but was eventually chased down. A lead break of 7 riders formed, without any of our team in there. Adam layed it all out for 2 laps to chase the break down, pulling it back. Bruce got set up for the sprint, but got caught behind 2 crashes in the final two turns to cruise in around 15th.
Thanks to all the team riders for giving up their week to do what we do best. Thanks also to all of our sponsors, especially the folks at Barkley for their support of our bid at Nationals.
Nationals Tally Total(13 top 20 finishes) : *Podium Finishes
*2nd - Darren Fuller (40+ Crit) -Silver Medal
*3rd - Lori Harkey (30+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*4th - Scottie Weiss (35+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*5th - Chris Harkey (35+TT) - Bronze Medal
6th - Lara Cassidy (35+ RR)
7th - Jeremy Conn (35+ RR)
8th - Scottie Weiss (35+Crit)
9th - Lisa Preslar (35+ Crit)
9th - Jeremy Conn (35+Crit)
10th - Chris Harkey (35+Crit)
12th - Darren Fuller (40+RR)
15th - Bruce Humphries (30+Crit)
18th - AT Stamp (30+RR)
Day 6: REST DAY- Finally. We drove out to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana to do a little spin on the time trial course. Nice relaxing flat route in some awesome country. We stayed together for the first mile or two...then it was ON! Seems like even we are not racing...we ARE racing, but it was great to clear our minds, legs and break some cabin fever.
Day 7: Last day, last races, last chance at the National jersey...pressure is on. Darren and Knetch raced first. A small group jumped free, and Knetch jumped on Dirk's wheel and almost got across. The lead reshuffled, and Darren jumped across to 2 lone riders to make the lead break of 3. Darren worked hard in the break to keep it away for close to 30 laps, eventually lapping the field with a chase group of 10+ racers. The chase group came bearing down, closing the gap to only 4 seconds with 2 laps to go. Darren sprinted to the line to take 2nd place! Our best finish so far. He was stocked, and we were pumped going into our races.
While Darren styled for his podium pics, Chris, Conn, Shane, Scottie, and Blair lined up to do battle in the 35-39 crit. From the gun the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys were super aggressive. Scottie started the first move, which Conn countered to establish the lead break. Chris bridged up to the break with 3 other riders. Chris and Conn started driving the break to build up a lead of close to 1 min. Scottie and two other riders jumped clear, and started the long process of trying to bridge across, which they did with close to 10 laps to secure us 3 men in the lead break of 11. This group of 11 lapped the field, and unfortunately had to come to the line of the sprint along with all the other lapped riders fighting for 12th place. We came out 7th, 8th, and 9th place. Not the finish we were hoping for, but we were all proud at how strong the boys rode. Big props to Blair and Shane for covering the field and keeping the wolves at bay, saving up for a strong leadout and sticking to the plan.
Blair and Adam went to work in the last race of the day (30-34). Bruce and Adam were aggressive early on, covering Texas Roadhouse and Crater from Wheel and Sprocket. Bruce got in a small group up the road, but was eventually chased down. A lead break of 7 riders formed, without any of our team in there. Adam layed it all out for 2 laps to chase the break down, pulling it back. Bruce got set up for the sprint, but got caught behind 2 crashes in the final two turns to cruise in around 15th.
Thanks to all the team riders for giving up their week to do what we do best. Thanks also to all of our sponsors, especially the folks at Barkley for their support of our bid at Nationals.
Nationals Tally Total(13 top 20 finishes) : *Podium Finishes
*2nd - Darren Fuller (40+ Crit) -Silver Medal
*3rd - Lori Harkey (30+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*4th - Scottie Weiss (35+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*5th - Chris Harkey (35+TT) - Bronze Medal
6th - Lara Cassidy (35+ RR)
7th - Jeremy Conn (35+ RR)
8th - Scottie Weiss (35+Crit)
9th - Lisa Preslar (35+ Crit)
9th - Jeremy Conn (35+Crit)
10th - Chris Harkey (35+Crit)
12th - Darren Fuller (40+RR)
15th - Bruce Humphries (30+Crit)
18th - AT Stamp (30+RR)
Friday, July 4, 2008
Nationals Update (Days 1-4) Lori 3rd, Scottie 4th, Harkey 5th, Conn 7th!
Day 1: Chris started off our bid for the Stars ad Stipes with the 35-39 time trial at 8:20am. Taking 5th on the windy course, Chris was the first to get the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team up on the podium with a great ride. He has been showing great form, and look for him to do well in the Road Race.
Day 2: (Wmn's 30-34 RR) Lori and Lisa both managed to secure a spot in the final break of 10 riders after the field was destroyed on the very tough Road Race course. Lori took them to the line for the sprint to take a fantastic 3rd place, and our 2nd podium spot of the week. Lisa had a fine showing, taking 9th place. (Wmn's 35-39 RR) Lara Cassidy lined up to a strong field in her RR. With no teammates, she rode a smart race using her strength to power through the hilly course to take a great 6th place finish...just off the podium. We are very proud of the fantastic showing the gals had at Nats so far.
Day 3: AT, Bruce and myself lined up for the 30-34 Road Race at 4:00. The heat proved to be pretty bad for the longest race of the day. Bruce attached early and pulled the lead break of 3 other riders out to join him, but had some extreme pain/cramping in his calf and had to pull out. AT worked hard to pull back the lead break, taking 18th after cramping up himself in the final sprint. I came in 22nd, after dropping my chain at the base of the 2nd climb on the backside.
Stay tuned for the 35-39 RR, 40+ RR, and Women's Criterium next.
Day 4: Scottie, Chris, Shane, Blair and Jeremy started the 35-39 Road Race at 7:00am. A little too early, but the team was primed to do battle. We had riders placed in every break of the race, with Scottie in the final winning break of the day. With Scottie were 2 Texas Roadhouse riders, including 2007 Champion Paul Martin, and 3 other individual riders. The nervous field, realizing all 5 podium spots were up the road drove the field hard. Scottie attached hard through the feedzone hill with less than 1K to go, was caught, and countered by Paul and 2 others. Scottie kept driving to take 4th place on the podium of all former pro racer. Jeremy Conn, meanwhile was swining away in the chase group and sprinted to 7th place. Awesome racing from the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team.
Day 2: (Wmn's 30-34 RR) Lori and Lisa both managed to secure a spot in the final break of 10 riders after the field was destroyed on the very tough Road Race course. Lori took them to the line for the sprint to take a fantastic 3rd place, and our 2nd podium spot of the week. Lisa had a fine showing, taking 9th place. (Wmn's 35-39 RR) Lara Cassidy lined up to a strong field in her RR. With no teammates, she rode a smart race using her strength to power through the hilly course to take a great 6th place finish...just off the podium. We are very proud of the fantastic showing the gals had at Nats so far.
Day 3: AT, Bruce and myself lined up for the 30-34 Road Race at 4:00. The heat proved to be pretty bad for the longest race of the day. Bruce attached early and pulled the lead break of 3 other riders out to join him, but had some extreme pain/cramping in his calf and had to pull out. AT worked hard to pull back the lead break, taking 18th after cramping up himself in the final sprint. I came in 22nd, after dropping my chain at the base of the 2nd climb on the backside.
Stay tuned for the 35-39 RR, 40+ RR, and Women's Criterium next.
Day 4: Scottie, Chris, Shane, Blair and Jeremy started the 35-39 Road Race at 7:00am. A little too early, but the team was primed to do battle. We had riders placed in every break of the race, with Scottie in the final winning break of the day. With Scottie were 2 Texas Roadhouse riders, including 2007 Champion Paul Martin, and 3 other individual riders. The nervous field, realizing all 5 podium spots were up the road drove the field hard. Scottie attached hard through the feedzone hill with less than 1K to go, was caught, and countered by Paul and 2 others. Scottie kept driving to take 4th place on the podium of all former pro racer. Jeremy Conn, meanwhile was swining away in the chase group and sprinted to 7th place. Awesome racing from the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team.
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