March 2002

March 2002

March 26, 2002

Virenque wins the first Team Cup Race

Dan Schmalz photo

Inson Wood crossing the finish line

Actually it's E-caps's Inson Wood showing us who is number one. The last few years the battle for the mighty team cup has been fought between team ReMax and team Renaissance, with Renaissance usually taking the cup home at the end of the season. With both teams winning a club race in the short season, it looked like the battle would be hard fought once again this year. Think Ink, formerly Union Square, has a power house line up so although they have yet to win a race this season, they could not be overlooked. As it turned out, the favorite teams were beaten by a strong individual and an un-attached rookie.

The temperature was hovering around 28 degrees at the start of the 70km race. Despite the low temperature there was still a good turnout. Warnings were distributed by team captains to be aware of an early breakaway as it would be a tough and aggressive race. Sure enough within the first 6kms after a series of attacks from various teams, a 14-man group escaped with one or two riders represented from each team. While teams were figuring out who they had up there, the break was working together and established a quick 30-seconds lead. ReMax, with only one rider in the break, did not like their odds and began a steady chase which only stabilized the time gap. Metro/Sanchez missed the move and began assisting in the chase. After 3 laps of this ReMax's Chris Rozdilsky escaped the main field in search for the break almost a minute up the road. This took ReMax off the front of the field and left the burden on Metro/Sanchez and various other riders. Meanwhile Inson's constant attacking broke the break in two with Think Racing's Manager George Suter, E-Cap's Inson Wood, ReMax's Nate Kokinda, Renaissance's Basil Moutsopoulos & Rob Rigg, and new CRCA revelation Chris Ryan in the lead group. Inson repeatedly attacked this break until he and Chris Ryan formed a partnership that kept a slim 10-second lead to the finish with Inson pointing to the sky showing who was number one that morning. Rob out sprinted George for the last podium spot with Nate rolling in a few seconds later rounding off the top five. Basil held off the field for 6th. The original break was caught, and ReMax's Anthony Allesio easily took the field sprint for 7th place followed by Renaissance's Kyoo Min who took 8th, further solidifying his number one spot on the big board.

RACE NOTES:
Chris Ryan recently upgraded to cat 3 and is not affiliated with any team. CFZ expect him to be picked up very quickly especially since he now caries Team Cup Points as well a CCUP points.
Nate Kokinda (5th place): "Inson was attacking all day, we would just let him stay slightly off the front of the break and let him tire himself out, I guess he was tiring all of us out"
Chris Ryan (2nd Place): "I heard about Inson and knew he was strong, so I went with him the last time up the Harlem hill. Inson told me if I worked with him and we stay away he would not sprint. I would have worked anyway. Funny that he said that though, and then sprinted."
George Suter (4th place): "#$@&8$%!!!"
Cartman (South Park): "I hate Inson, I hate him so very much"

March 19, 2002

No. 1 ranked rider, Kyoo, gives Renaissance their first win of the season

CC photo

Kyoo Min, No. 1 CUCP ranked rider

This past Saturday there was another strong turnout for a club race. The skies were grey, threatening to release rain at any moment, but with the temperature hovering in the upper 50's, it felt like a warm comfortable March morning. Eight laps--80km, seven sprints up Cat's Paw hill...it would be a tough one. Looking over the field before the start there were two notable teams that would be battling for the win. Think Racing was in full force as was Renaissance. The pace was quick the first couple of laps but the strategy was not revealed until the first sprint concluding the 2nd lap. Massing at the front of the field was Think Racing with a long and fast leadout, no other team even bothered to try and challenge the black and yellow checkered train. As it turned out Think Racing's Leon Moser was being lead out. Kyoo Min (REN) without tapping on his team's resources just yet, worked his way to the front but could not pass Leon and had to settle for second. The next lap the checkered train once again strung the field out, spitting riders off the back going into the sprint, but this time Kyoo was glued to Leon's wheel and passed him before the line for maximum points.

Eugene showing his wounded pride

Leon was having a hard time recovering and would have been dropped had he not been brought back by his team mates. Clearly at this point the sprinting advantage shifted to Kyoo who was not having any difficulty recovering after the sprints. Think Racing continued to motor the field but Kyoo was the fastest guy out there and with the help of Renaissance keeping him fresh, he would not be denied. Leon would have to settle for 2nd, with Axis's Ralph Hassard rounding off the podium. Average speed was about 41kph.

RACE NOTES: Ray Diaz went down hard going into the 3rd lap, but is OK. There was also a massive pile up finishing the 7th lap as a rider near the front slid out sprinting up Cat's Paw Hill, taking out about 10 riders. So far we are not aware of any serious injuries other than pride.

March 9, 2002

ReMax wins the second race of the 2002 season

CC photo

Anthony Alessio chatting after the race

Anthony Alessio, a rookie on the ReMax squad, takes the field sprint to win the second club race of the 2002 season. The peloton seemed more determined this week, for it didn't allow any breaks to build up more than a few seconds lead. Because of a massive pile-up from another field, the race was cut short by a few kilometers when the peloton was detoured at 102nd street. Thus for two laps, the field avoided the 110th street hill. Could this have been a deciding factor? Despite this change, it was the usual cast of CRCA's strong men that rounded out the remaining top places. Avgerage speed was about 40kph.

Renaisance Dynasty

For the past several years, Renaissance has dominated the club races. Since 1999, Renaissance had won the first two races of the season until NOW. So far without a win this year, could this be the end of their domination?

March 2, 2002

Metro/Sanchez takes the season opener

CC photo

Brent Greenberg taking the sprint

Metro/Sanchez's recent acquistion, Brent Greenberg, shows excellent early season form, taking the sprint for the win. With several unsuccessful breaks taking place during the 60km race, it was not until the last 5-6km that decided the outcome. A break formed off the front of the field and managed to maintain its slim lead. The average speed of the race was about 40kph.

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