Atlanta Crit and US 100K Race Recaps

Atlanta Criterium Series
On Friday afternoon, Oscar and Thomas found themselves with nothing to do, eventually deciding to spend the evening at a small local race. After the short drive north to Kennesaw (which was lengthened by stop and go traffic) the duo registered and suited up. Since it was Friday evening the attendance of riders was low (about 15). Shortly after the race started, a group of riders took off with neither of the Kudzu boys represented. The break quickly came back as Oscar began setting up for the counter attack with one other rider. The duo eventually lapped the field with 2 laps to go. Meanwhile, Thomas was busy watching everyone else in the field. In the last few kilometers to the finish, there was a slight miscommunication between the two. As a result the other rider beat Oscar for first and Thomas swept the field sprint for third. After the race Thomas and Oscar celebrated by buying some 'racing' candy.

US 100K Classic (NRC circuit race)
With an early morning race start at 7:15am, it was an early morning wake up call. As Oscar and Thomas drove to the race, little was said as they were both still half asleep. With over 140 starters from numerous professional teams, the race was expected to be fast but manageable. The 100K Classic, is an interesting race because of the finish, which is a 50mph plus downhill sprint. With such a large peloton it made for an easy ride in the field as breaking away was nearly impossible. Coming into the finish, the two boys were in near perfect position except when Oscar got to the front a little to early and was forced back. Meanwhile, Thomas was busy fighting for the wheels of the major sprinters from: Healthnet, Jelly Belly, and Kelly Benefits. At 2 kilometers to go, Thomas stuck to Frank Travieso’s (Toshiba-Santo) wheel thinking he would setup for the win. However, Travieso stalled causing Thomas to rethink his plan. After some last minute maneuvering, he was able to salvage the race with a 28th place sprint, approximately less than ten meters behind the winner Bernard Van Ulden of Jelly Belly pro-cycling. Oscar rolled across the line for 52nd.

Season in review (Union City)

After taking the week easy following the Tour of Atlanta, the team showed up refreshed for the Georgia state road race championship in Union City. Saturday morning brought warm temperatures as the team prepared for the 10 mile time trial. Oscar posted the fastest time on the team to take 3rd followed by Joey in 6th putting the team in good position for the overall.

Union City Time Trial
First: Jon Hart
Second: Jim Wueste
Third: Oscar Clark

After lunch and a few hours of lounging around the car, the crit began in the hottest part of the day at 2:15. The race was 45 minutes plus three laps, on a course that favored a breakaway. Oscar made his signature move off the line, attacking, to draw out the stronger riders. After a series of attacks from our team the race came back together for a few laps until Oscar attacked again drawing out a few riders. Thomas sensed that this was a dangerous move and bridged up to the break to offer Oscar some help. He might have pulled a little too hard causing Oscar and another rider to get gapped off eventually succumbing to the pack. Now it was up to Thomas and his breakaway companion to ward off the charging field as the rest of the team tried blocking for him. After a series of attacks from the team to try and bridge solo to Thomas, we eventually stopped trying because everyone marked our wheels. It was impossible for us to do anything without having the entire field chase us. As we watched Thomas' gap grow we started thinking about how to setup for third place. Joey nailed it perfectly by accelerating out of turn two on the last lap to hold off the charing field to the finish, once again we took first and third.

Union City Crit
First: Thomas Brown
Second: James Holmes
Third: Joey Rosskopf

After a hearty breakfast the team headed back to Union City to tackle the road race, which was a new course this year. Due to the high temperature and humidity the officials decided to shorten the race from 91 miles to 68 miles which would alter the tactics. Oscar was on the hunt for the overall sitting 26 seconds out of first place, which meant the time bonuses from the KOMs would be critical for him. Joey, Thomas, and Jafer made sure nothing got away on the lead up to the KOMs and gave him a lead out for the bonuses. The first time up Joey went a little to hard and Oscar was not able to come around him in time and took second netting 10 seconds. The next time around Jafer lead Oscar up the climb but Oscar was unable to fend off the other riders and took second again. Oscar knew that he was still 6 seconds out of first place for the overall and was not content to sit in. A few miles after the KOM, Jafer attacked trying to establish a break but the right mix didn't form so he had to try a few more times until Artur Sagat bridged to him. Since the peleton was chasing after Jafer he decided to fade back and let Artur ride away. Oscar realized the potential of the move and countered when the pack absorbed Jafer. Once Oscar reached Artur they began to make time on the field and only one other rider was able to bridge up to them. Oscar's break gained about 15 seconds on the field but the break yo-yoed as the field chased then tired. With about 10 miles to go Ty Magner made a strong attack on a small roller desperately trying to bridge and Jafer sat on his wheel as Ty laid the hammer down. Now the break had grown to five riders with two riders dangling ahead of the field. The break waited for the riders to bridge before the pace picked up. Now, Oscar and Jafer drove the break to help establish a 50 second lead to the finish. In the final few kilometers, Oscar attacked trying to set Jafer up for the win but Jafer hesitated and Ty Magner took advantage launching about 500 meters to go. Unfortunately, the finish line came too soon and Ty held his gap by a fraction of a second.

Union City Road Race:
First: Ty Magner
Second: Jafer Beizer
Third: Chris Chotas

Union City Overall
First: Oscar Clark
Second: Justin Eppenbroc
Third: John Hart
Fourth: Joey Rosskopf
Eighth: Jafer Beizer

Season in review (Tour of Atlanta)

After we finished up Speed Week, we took a much needed rest week to prepare for the upcoming Tour of Atlanta, part of the Georgia Cup. New to the racing calendar this year, the Tour of Atlanta promised to deliver exciting stage racing to metro-Atlanta, something which was desperately needed. The race started in Buford, Ga with an opening 7 mile time trial which was an out and back course which was mostly flat. Joey lead the team with a 4th place, followed by Jafer in 11th, Oscar in 21st and Thomas in 22nd. We may have been absent from the podium for stage 1 but we were steadfast on making sure we would control the rest of the race.

Stage 1: Time Trial
First: Zach Lake
Second: Ben Gabardi @ 6 secs
Third: Bob Baxley @ 23 seconds
Fourth: Joey Rosskopf @ 24 seconds

Stage 2 followed later that evening with 800 meter street sprints also in Buford. Ten riders were randomly chosen on the line with only the top 3 advancing to the next round. In the first round Thomas got 1st, Joey got 1st, Oscar got 2nd, and Jafer got 3rd (all in different heats). In round two, Joey, Jafer, and Oscar got 2nd, and Thomas was 3rd assuring we all made it to the final round. Oscar decided that he would attack off of the line which would give the rest of us a free ride. Oscar held his gap to the line even though he had a slight mechanical at the start when his chain skipped. Thomas took third, which was a good sign of things to come.

Stage 2: Street Sprints
First: Oscar Clark
Second: Whit Clifford
Third: Thomas Brown

Friday's course was a 0.9 mile circuit race at John's Creek and was 45 minutes plus 3 laps. It was a fast course that favored a break. Minutes before we were called to the line we were greeted with a heavy downpour and wind which instantly dropped the temperature 20 degrees. As we sat shivering on the line the only thought running through our heads was that we have to use our Speed Week experience to our advantage and attack on every lap. Oscar bolted off the line, showing what makes him such a good cyclo-cross racer. The team wasted no time as Joey countered his attack when he got caught then Jafer went followed by Thomas. Within the first 10 laps we had split the race apart and now there were multiple groups off the back as the peleton dwindled. About 30 minutes into the race Robb Phillip of Team Athens attacked on the backside of the course and no one marked his move. Jafer who was riding at the front did not think it was a serious move but a few laps later Robb still had a ten second advantage so Jafer bridged up to his wheel. Together they maintained the break as the field desperately tried to reel them in. Robb pulled for the majority of the lap as Jafer sat on knowing that Thomas would be waiting to take the field sprint if they were caught. On the last lap Robb attacked with three turns to go but Jafer just sat on his wheel until he went sprinting by with 250 meters to go to take the win. Thomas easily won the field sprint to take third, with Joey in 5th, and Oscar in 11th.

Stage 3: John's Creek Circuit Race
First: Jafer Beizer
Second: Robb Phillip
Third: Thomas Brown

Stages four and five took place in Monroe, GA a small country town not far from Athens and close to Jafer's house. Luckily, Thomas, Oscar, and Jafer knew the area since they trained in that area years ago. Stage four was supposed to be a ten mile team time trial but we found out during the race that it was more like 13 miles. We were allowed to form composite teams so the Fulton Flyers junior riders, Nick Savadelis and Micheal Stone, rode the time trial with us. The time trial went as we planned, as we crossed the finish line we were totally blown from the effort and posted the fastest time in the 2/3 field by 38 seconds!

Stage 4: Team Time Trial
First: Kudzu.com U23 Team
Second: Lake Training.com
Third: Cannondale / Allset

Once again as we took the line for the road race storm clouds were moving in as the wind was picking up. As we neared the first KOM of the day the attacks started as everybody wanted the time bonuses that went 3 places deep. The team had strict orders to prevent anyone on GC from getting the bonuses and everyone delivered with Joey, Oscar, and Jafer all netting time. About twenty minutes into the 70 mile race strong side winds accompanied with heavy rain splintered the peleton as we rode across railroad tracks. As the race went single file someone clipped wheels and fell causing the pack to split even more. The rain was intermittent for the next half hour and then it finally dissipated to clear blue skies. On the final lap Oscar marked a move that went up the road going clear of the field with only one other rider to make it across after him. He eventually dropped one of the riders but his lead remained steady at about 15 seconds. His move put a lot of pressure on Lake Training.com the next team up on GC and they expended themselves one by one until his move was finally brought back with about 15 miles to go. Shortly after Jafer countered on a slight roller catching the peleton off guard and immediately opened up a gap of ten seconds. Luckily, two other riders bridged up to him and they hovered in front of the peleton for the next 15 miles. The break earned a maximum lead of about 20 seconds but around 5k the gap dwindled down to 5 seconds. Jafer looked back and almost pulled the brakes to drift back to the peleton but he changed his mind and decided to give it one last try. To his amazement the peleton hesitated and the break regained its lead and narrowly held off to the finish with only 6 seconds to spare. Once again, Thomas swept the field sprint for fourth with Jafer taking the win.

Stage 5: Monroe Road Race
First: Jafer Beizer
Second: Chris Perham
Third: Colby Millen
Fourth: Thomas Brown

Sunday saw us head back north to Gainseville, the same crit course that we raced earlier this year. We knew that we didn't have to be the animator in today's race as we had already taken 1-4 in the GC, so we anticipated nonstop attacks from the other riders. The race started off fast with Zach Lake of Laketraining.com, attacking repeatedly trying to establish a break with other riders, but the team rode a smart race and kept everything together. Midway through the race Joey took himself out when his chain skipped sending him sprawling on the ground but he immediately jumped back in the race after taking a free lap in the pit. Everyone took turns pulling moves back or marking moves that had the potential to stick. In the last few laps Joey was in a small break that had a few seconds on the field but was caught meters from the line by a chasing Locos rider. However, it was nothing that Thomas couldn't handle coming around Whit Clifford to take the win as Joey held on for third.

Stage 6: Gainesville Crit
First: Thomas Brown
Second: Whit Clifford
Third: Joey Rosskopf

The final race took place on Memorial Day in downtown Buford on a super fast course that suited Thomas well. Like yesterday, we weren't planning on attacking but instead wanted to mark any dangerous moves. Zach Lake again tried lap after lap to establish a break but we all took turns chasing his moves down. The team once again did an amazing job of controlling the race, not allowing anyone to get up the road without us. Joey once again tried for a break but was caught in the final couple of laps. Thomas was once again was the go to guy as it was going to end in a field sprint. Jafer lead him out with all he could on the back straight and into the final turn Thomas launched his attack like a jet igniting its burners. He easily won the field sprint by a few bike lengths to close a spectacular Tour of Atlanta for the team.

Stage 7: Buford Crit
First: Thomas Brown
Second: Tyler Hawes
Third: AJ Meyer

2008 Tour of Atlanta Overall
First: Jafer Beizer
Second: Joey Rosskopf
Third: Thomas Brown
Fourth: Oscar Clark
Fifth: Tyler Hawes

Season in review (April)

During the month of April our racing moved north to Gainesville, GA and Chattanooga, TN for the next two rounds of the Georgia Cup followed by the Athens Twilight. We were greeted with a nice down pour during the Gainesville time trial and a few railroad crossings made for an interesting time trial. The crossings made nice jumps at 30 mph but it was a little scary when you didn't know that was going to happen! Joey lead the team with a well deserved 15th place in the tt. To make things more interesting the 81 mile road race started a little more than one hour following the time trial. The course was mostly rolling with one decisive half-mile climb that split the weaker riders out of the peleton. Thomas did what he does best and sprinted in for a 6th place (2nd in the field sprint behind Tommy Nankervis of Toshiba-Santo). The following day we raced the crit in downtown Gainesville, a very fast and fun course. Unfortunately, three Toshiba-Santo riders and Oscar Henao of Clinica Union Cycling established a break midway through the race and we weren't represented. However, Thomas once again used his sprinting prowess to take 2nd in the filed sprint for 6th place once again.

Our Chattanooga trip was rather interesting as five people and seven bikes crammed into a small extended stay hotel outside of the airport. With only two twin beds we resorted to making nests on the floor anywhere we found space. The upside was that we were able to cook our own food on the stove and the microwave! Joey once again showed his time trial strength by netting the best result on the team with a 22nd place and Jafer followed four seconds back in 27th. The downtown crit was a very fast and aggressive race with nonstop attacks from Toshiba-Santo, a pro team that sends a full squad to every GA Cup. On the final lap of the race Jafer was riding behind Oscar when a slower rider bumped into Oscar coming out of turn four. Oscar swerved causing Jafer to swerve and a few riders behind him collided sending one rider to the ground. As Joey came around the turn, the rider was laying on the ground in front of him and without time to react Joey ran into him snapping his fork. Luckily, Joey escaped with only minor scratches! Thomas who escaped the incident sprinted for our top result again, taking 9th place. The road race on Sunday was in a remote part of North Georgia called Chickamauga and we were greeted with very cool temps and wind at 11 am. The course was 4 laps for a total of 90 miles with only 2 substantial climbs, one was for the kom (king of the mountain) and the other was in the feedzone. The race started with a few attacks but it regrouped for a few minutes until the next series of attacks when one Jittery Joe's rider went up the road with one other rider. Jafer and another rider bridged to the break then one more rider made it across, for a total of five riders. Jafer helped in the break but knew that since there wasn't a Toshiba-Santo rider represented that his chances were small. However, he used the break to gain valuable time bonuses on the KOMs picking up 12 seconds, enough to move him up a few spots in the GC. The break was finally caught with a lap and a half remaining but the final time up the KOM the race split apart with ten riders eventually going clear. The peleton was single file over the climb and was splitting apart trying to regain contact, however we couldn't get organized fast enough to catch the break. Thomas easily took the field sprint for 11th and Jafer finished 13th overall.

The Athens Twilight was the official kickoff for the USA Crits Speedweek, a week long crit racing series that went from Tuesday to Sunday, through North and South Carolina and then back to Sandy Springs, GA. Like usual, the thought of racing the Athens Twilight makes everyone a bit nervous as this is one of the fastest races we do all year. In order to start the race in Athens you have to do a compu-trainer grid qualifier on Friday, which is basically eight trainers hooked into 2 big tv screens which shows your time, distance, watts, and watts per kg on the screen. To make matters worse, you are on a big platform in front of people with an announcer talking about the race and saying how bad you look. Before each wave you got a few minutes to warmup on the trainer before the 8k time trial started. The trainers simulated a real course by adjusting the resistance on the rear wheel. Joey had the best result on the team taking 11th overall followed by Jafer in 24th and Oscar in 31st. Each team got a callup for their best rider on Saturday night, so Thomas didn't have to do the grid qualifier. As I said earlier, the nerves were running high on Saturday night as we prepared to lineup for the race. Thomas was the first rider to get a callup so he was able to pick his place on the starting line. Everyone else got a number according to their result on the grid qualifier and the official would call people up in order but it was still a fight to get to the line. As expected the race started with a bang as everyone wanted to ride at the front or attack for the primes. Not long into the race Steve Tilford collided with Thomas past the start/finish slamming both riders to the ground. Amazingly, Thomas wasn't hit and only suffered a few bruised ribs but quickly rejoined the race (he actually went down inside of the pits where riders rejoin the race). The next rider to go down was Oscar when he got caught in a major crash out of turn two and went flying through the air landing on his radio in his back pocket about 20 laps in. Thomas had a pretty good view of the wreck since he was already on the ground when Oscar crashed. Luckily, both riders made it back into the race but the crashes had taken a toll on Thomas. At one point we were the last four riders while the peleton was single file down the front straight with a gap opening up between Jafer and the rider in front of him. It looked as if the entire team was about to get dropped but Oscar started yelling at Jafer to close the gap and he was able to slowly close the gap but the damage was done. In the next few laps Thomas was out of the race, then Jafer, then Joey, with only Oscar remaining. At that point more than half of the riders had been dropped and Oscar held on to take 37th. Even though the race didn't go as expected it made the team more motivated about the upcoming Speed Week,

Our Season in review (March)

Our season started several months ago (March) in Albany, GA which was the first round of the Georiga Cup. It was a great start to our season as Thomas placed third in the crit, Jafer made the break and took 9th in the road race and 6th overall. Everyone was excited that the season was finally underway and our next stop was in Perry, GA part of Series 7.


Again, we showed the power of our team as Jafer made the break in the circuit race and Oscar, Thomas, and Joey took turns protecting him after the break lapped the field. Thomas lead Jafer out for a fourth place finish. Below is the full race report.

Wind was the big story in the Saturday afternoon circuit race. The course looked fairly simple on
paper, but a strong cross/headwind on the uphill section of the course made the 55 mile race very interesting (read-tough!) The plan for the race was for Joey and Oscar to mark the attacks early on before the field tired, at which point Jafer would attack and try to bring some guys with him off the front, if this didn't work and the field stayed together, we would regroup and try to help Thomas for the sprint. For the first part of the race Joey and Oscar stayed near the front to cover what seemed like endless attacks into the uphill headwind. Every lap an attack would go
on the hill and a big split of 10 or 15 guys would form only for the field to regroup on the downhill tailwind section.

After about an hour of this, the two riding the front were getting very tired and needed some time back in the field to recover. As planned, Jafer made his way to the front and went with the move that finally broke the leash from the field. Eventually, in what seemed like a never ending race, Jafer's group lapped the field with less than 5 laps remaining. Now it was up to Jafer to out-sprint his breakaway companions in the field sprint. To make sure none of those riders tried to escape again before the sprint, Oscar and Joey went back to the front and marked those riders until the final lap where Thomas took over, using his pack sprinting skills to give a great leadout to Jafer for the finish. Jafer ended up taking fourth in the field sprint, a great sprint effort from this non-sprinter, and since the top three in the sprint were also in the break, fourth in the race. The rest of the team finished in the field, a lap down, but happy to have helped Jafer
secure a top 5.

The next day was the "Epic Perry Roubaix" a 100 mile road race with a dirt road section on every lap. Luckily, it rained the night before and we were told to expect a slick Georgia mud pavee section. Last year it was like trying to ride through a sandbox, you either made it through or watched everyone ride away lying on your back. Like previous years the course favored a break away which went rather early this time. Finding ourselves out of the break Jafer attacked with about 30 miles to go and two other riders marked his wheel. With the help of the two other riders Jafer made contact with the break after 20 miles of chasing. As soon as he joined the break, Jafer took a Power Gel and drank some water only to be attacked by the break. Unfortunately, Jafer did not respond to the attack and did not regain contact to the break and rode the final lap with one of his earlier breakaway companions and rode in for 10th on the day.