Nebraska Cycling News

2008 Spring Cycling Classic: The Good, The Bad and The Windy

Written by Newsline
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Eric Kenney (Horizon Organic Cycling) crossing with one hand on the bars because of the windy conditions. Eric took first place in the road race and criterium. Photo John Peterson Lincoln, NE - Eric Kenney (Horizon Organic Cycling) and the Punk Rock Cycling duo of Jane Riessen and Kelli Mente tamed the fierce Nebraska winds to claim the top spots in the 2008 Spring Cycling Classic road race and circuit race, April 12-13. The Boulder standout crossed swords with Matt Landen (UNMC-Team Kaos) both days and managed to get the better of the Omaha resident, who has blazed into the 2008 season with impressive form. Landen's teammate, Ian Gray posted two third place finishes to stamp Team Kaos' authority on the weekend, which included victories in the Men Masters races as well as the Men 5 road race. Jane Riessne and Kelli Mente of Punk Rock Racing leading the way in Saturday's road race. Jane took first in both the road race and criterium. Photo John Peterson The PRC ladies demonstrated why they are the standard in Midwest Women's cycling notching two seemingly effortless wins. In the Sunday circuit race at Pioneers Park in southwest Lincoln, Riessen crossed the finish line ahead of Sarah Bickerstaff, who battled the Iowa pair for the entire 30-minute contest. "Kelli and I just kept at her (Bickerstaff) all day, but she would not be dropped," said Riessen with a smile. "Kelli did a great job working for me today." The two-day event experienced a host of "firsts" including no collegiate event for the first time since 2004, two single day events rather than a stage race format and the lowest turnout in the events eight year history. "The weather killed us," said John Lefler, Jr, Race Director since the events inception in 2001. "I watched the registration and the weather and even with the push in the two days leading up to event it became pretty obvious that we would have a low turnout." In fact, the races which have seen turnouts as high as 300 riders, did not break 90 either day. "When you combine the weather conditions we have had this winter, the inclement weather forecast for the race plus the reputation this race has for being very challenging, you really cannot bet on anything," conceded Lefler. Much of the chatter post race confirmed those sentiments. "I think a lot of folks just don't feel ready to race, yet," offered Kevin Burke (Lincoln Industries-Lemond). "It has been a difficult year for logging those all important outdoor miles. I would imagine a lot of people don't feel prepared." For those that did race, the weather's bark was more vicious than it's bite. Despite winds in the saturday road race at Branched Oak Lake that exceeded 35mph at times, the conditions did not hamper spirits. "I was never cold," said Jerry Arnold, a resident of Valentine in the western half of the Big Red State. "Actually, I thought I had too much clothing on." Masters rider and perennial participant, Gary Schmidt (UNMC-Team Kaos) agreed, "It's not that bad out there," muttered Schmidt through half-frozen lips. While weather hampered turnout, a host of racing highlights remained: Rebecca Thompson (Team High Plains): the lone Junior Woman racer shoveled out of 6+ inches of snow to come to the race. "Rebecca is always excited to do this race," said her father, Al. "She did not want to miss it and we will definitely be back." John Spray benefited from an impressive display of team tactics and strategy from his Elkhorn Valley Cycling Club teammates to claim victory in the Men's 4 race on Sunday. Kevin Limpach (Midwest Cycling Community) won the award for sportsmanship after loaning his bike to Scott Stevens (Lincoln Industries-Highgear) for the Men's 1/2/3 race after Steven's bike was damaged in the Men Masters race earlier in the day at Pioneers Park on Sunday. Ian Gray (UNMC-Team Kaos) showed again why he is clearly one of the strongest riders in the Midwest at the Branched Oak Lake Road Race on Saturday. After crashing in the turn past the feed zone, a dazed and distraught Gray gathered himself to chase down the field, ride through and catch the breakaway tandem of teammate Matt Landen and eventual race winner, Eric Kenney. GP Velotek: the Kansas team led by Jim Whittaker knew what they were getting themselves into with the weather, but made the trip to Nebraska anyway. For Nebraska bike racing fans that was a good thing as they watched GP rider, John Shipman motor his way around the hilly, 2-mile circuit at Pioneers Park for a 5th place finish. And speaking of out-of-state riders: Through snow, sleet and driving rain...they still came. Team High Plains, Horizon Organic Cycling, Cycle City, GP Velotek and Powerade-Independent Fabrication. Despite a tough year, the Spring Cycling Classic will return in 2009 with a single day race on April 11. There will be no Sunday event due to the Easter holiday. As one rider put it, "Race promotion is kind of like farming." Here's to a more a fruitful crop in the future. 2008 Spring Cycling Classic Road Race Results... 2008 Spring Cycling Classic Criterium Results...
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 May 2008 )