Weekend Racing Report - September 10, 2005

2005 Michigan Road Race Championships - 6th Street Road Race Circuit, Kalamazoo, MI

The only racing on the weekend of September 10-11 was on Saturday. However, it was a BIG day.

With the Michigan State Road Race cancelled back in July due to an epic thunderstorm, which blew through Grand Blanc, MI right at the start, the championships were rescheduled for September 10th. The race would be held on the 6th Street Road Race course in Kalamazoo, MI and organized by the Kalamazoo Bike Club and the Western Michigan University Bicycling Club.

This course had been used back in April, so everyone knew what they were in for. Incorporating the longest and steepest climb in Kalamazoo County, the course featured very challenging climbs, which would quickly sort out the strongest riders from the rest.

In the Junior Men 17-18 race the team was represented by John Zaccone and Alex Keomany. Racing 4 laps of the course, for a total of 49 miles, John and Alex would be putting to use the experience they gained racing at the US Jr Road Nationals in Park City, UT. On the third climb up the 6th street hill, Alex surged ahead and was followed by 2 other riders. John quickly latched on and the break of 4 was made. Over the next couple of climbs, these 4 put the rest of the field out of contention. The last time up the 6th Street hill, John put in a couple of accelerations, but could not break away. At the final turn, 300 meters before the finish, John laid the hammer down with Alex SUPER-GLUED to his wheel. Incredibly, John’s lead out was so fast, the other 2 riders were dropped and it was John and Alex riding comfortably into the finish for a great 1-2 victory.

Way to go Alex & John!!!

Incredibly, this was Alex’s 6th consecutive Michigan State Road Race Championship victory. He’s been winning this race since he was 12 YEARS OLD! That’s got to be a record somewhere!!!!

In the Men’s Category 3 race the team lined up Joe Lekovish, Mark Caswell, Jason Rafeld, John Rigdon, Robert Iser, Paul Kundrat and Derek Timmerman. Having just come off a fantastic race at the Green Mtn Stage Race the week before (where he finished 3rd in one stage and 15th overall), Derek was primed for a great race.

Immediately a break of 5 riders went clear on the first climb up the 6th Street hill. The pack ambled along, comfortable knowing that they escapees would have 75 more miles to ride. By the 4th lap the break was down to 3 riders and had a lead of 2’30”. On the 3rd lap on the long, headwind, backside of the course, Mark Caswell and Joe Lekovish organized a furious chase with 2 riders from the West Michigan Coast Riders team and brought the breaks lead down to under a minute within a lap. By the 5th climb up the 6th Street hill, only 1 rider remained out front.

On the final climb of the 6th Street hill the solo break away was caught and Derek Timmerman immediately launched a leg-busting attack. Only 1 rider was able to follow and these two built on their lead over the following climbs. Coming out of the final corner, 300 meters from the finish line Derek lead out the sprint and immediately dropped his breakaway companion to handily win by 10 bike lengths!!!

This was Derek’s first win as a Category 3 rider!

In a great display of team work, Paul Kundrat attacked the chase group as they raced into the final corner and immediately gapped the others by 20 meters. This forced the others to chase him, pulling Jason Rafeld to within 50 meters of the line. Paul was caught and Jason easily won the sprint for 3rd. Sunrise Sports took 1st , 3rd, and 7th.

In the PRO1/2 race, team captain Jeff Hamilton was joined by Josh Tarrant and Ric Lung. The race drew in all the best riders from Michigan as well as some international talent. Foremost of the visiting riders was Arne Hinrichsen, joining the Wholefoods/WSC team for 1 race. Arne, a German national, is a former pro and actually was a teammate of Jan Ullrich on the late-1990’s Deutsch Telekom (now T-Mobile) professional cycling team.

Racing over 85 miles, the course substantially reduced the field by the final lap. On the final climb up 6th Street hill Arne attacked the group and soloed off the front. By the finish he had built up a lead of 1’30” over the chasers to take the win nearly uncontested. Coming in solo for 2nd place was Jeff Koch of Advantage Benefits, who put in a great ride to claim 1st Michigan Rider and take the Pro1/2 Michigan Road Race title (Arne, not being a MI resident, was not eligible).

The next 13 riders finished in ones & twos. Jeff Hamilton finished with what remained of the main pack and won the field sprint from this group for 16th place.

Overall, it was a great race for the team. 2 championship titles, lots of cash and great racing!!!

Check the full results HERE

You can also listen to my internet radio podcast report on the race at the MICHIGAN CYCLING PODCAST WEBSITE