|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Red Jacket - BlueSky Health Capitalizes on Home Field Advantage
June 23, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
After a spring filled with long road trips across three states, riders from the Red Jacket - BlueSky Health Team celebrated the end of spring and the start of summer and the local race season at the 15th annual Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival, which features 16- and 32-mile cross country races.
The team was led by second year veteran Mark Klein, who finished the 32-mile course in 2:27:32, good for 6th place in the expert open division and making him the fastest local rider on the long course. Also racing in the open division was Pat Szubielak, who completed the course in 2:50, 14th place among the men.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The start: new team member Steve Hackney, Tammi Lehto and Terry Kinzel. Photo: xmatic |
|
|
|
|
|
Leading the way in the age group divisions in the long race were John Gershenson (1st, 40-49), Caleb Wendel (3rd, 19-29), James Bialas (12th, 30-39), Jon Klimowicz (6th, singlespeed) and Bob Carpenter (12th, singlespeed).
Mike Anderson (Bells Beer), 20 years old from Alpena, captured his third consecutive title, besting his nearest competitor by nearly 9 minutes.On the women's side, Sara Kylander-Johnson of Duluth returned to reclaim her position at the top of the podium after taking a year off.
Other local riders faring well in the long race were Ryan Tervo (Dorfblick/Flyer Cycles; 1st, 19-29), Andrew Ignasiak (2nd, singlespeed), and Kathy Abbott (1st, 50+).
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
James Bialas in the zone near the end of the 32-mile race. Photo: xmatic |
|
|
|
|
|
Best placed Red Jacket riders in the short race were Brett Hamlin and Tammi Lehto, both finishing 3rd in their respective age divisions (30-39 & 40-49). Racing their first race in the black, red and grey were Steve Hackney (5th, 50-59), Dave Watkins (7th, 40-49) and Bruce Harvey (5th, clydesdale). Chris Lehto finished 5th in the hotly contested 40-49 bracket and Terry Kinzel 6th in the 60+ division who edged 8th place Bruce Pletka.Diane Ursu crossed the line 7th in the 30-39 class.
Full results available at www.chaindrive.org.
Thanks to the race organizers, trail builders and volunteers for making the race one of the highlights of the U.P. mountain biking season.
Looking ahead, the Red Jackets have their sites set on the Superior Bike Fest, to be held June 26-28 in Marquette. See you there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
