BikeReg.com MABRAcross Race Report

Breast Cancer Awareness Race, Hagerstown Maryland

((full results below))

By Joe Jefferson

October 7, 2007; Hagerstown, Maryland, USA: The forth-annual Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross Challenge represented the 3 rd leg in the 2007 MABRA Cyclocross Series.  Hagerstown, MD along with AVC-Team Hagerstown/Washington County promoted a very hotly contested series of races that took place at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park.

The course itself represent a challenge the every rider as it was the perfect mix of fast sections along with speed scrubbing off-camber turns and leg burning short but steep uphill sections.  Riders knew they were in trouble as soon as they took the first warm up lap.

Steven Wahl did not disappoint the host team as the AVC rider started the morning off with his first win of the season.  Steven was fully aware of the fact that his closest competitor (Adam Driscoll) was recovering from a non-cycling injury and he took this opportunity to earn a very important win.  When considering the fact that Adam races with a single speed setup, it would have been great to see him and Steven go at it on such a tuff course. 

Terri Spanogle form NCVC continued to show progress as she notches a convincing win in the Women’s B race.  Terri’s win was a true testament to her stick-to-itiveness as other strong riders such as Cynthia Anderson failed in their efforts to keep the rubber side down.  To Cynthia’s credit, this is her first year on the cross scene.

Mr. Marc Vettori of C3 Sollay.com opened up early lead in the Master’s 35-45 event and appears to be on his was for his third win in as many weeks.  However Marc flatted while whiles exiting an off camber section was forced to ride the rim until getting relief from the pit.  Marc’s miss-fortune opened up the door of opportunity for Michael Kolb of Christiana Care to notch his first win.  It was not smooth sailing for Mr. Kolb as the C3 Sollay.com rider (Marc Vettori) chased him all the way to the line.

Ethan (E-Town) Townsend of C3 Sollay.com went for the 3-peat in the B race but it was not with out some heavy competition from the 15 year old from Henry’s as well as David Duke and another GPOP rider.  This quartet of athletes moved clear of the field early and waged war on each other until the final dash to the line.  E-Town arrive at the finish-line with a comfortable gap but only after a timely acceleration in the final 400 meters

Nunzio Dibiasi of Yellow Breeches went for his first in the Master 55+ race, with Mr. James Carlson of Potomac Velo Club coming in second.  Rookie cross rider Larry Dell of the home team AVC came in 3 rd.  Nunzio hit the go button early and the rest of the riders spent time choking on his dust.  Things should be interesting during the fourth leg of the series as the Larry’s third place was not without controversy. 

Fort Factory rider Betsy Showgren goes two for two with a win the women’s A race but not without having stiff competition MABRA Champion Lisa Vible C3 Sollay.com who came in 2 nd.  Libby Sheldon continued to move up on the podium as the Tokyo Joes rider came in 3 rd. Ms. Consistency (Jessica Hill) Trails End came in fourth.

Proving that the Slipstream team is not the only squad that could look good argyle, first time cross racer Steven Gordon notches a win for the Haymarket team in what was a fast pace slugfest of an A race.  This showcase of talented rider kept the spectators and veteran riders on edge as they kept the air full of dust wile navigating this twisting and turning course.  Stephen Cummings of the Meridith Group made up the lead trio of riders and put in attack throughout the race.  For his efforts, Stephen came in 2 nd.  Michael Gallagher of the US Armed Forces Team looked to be the favorite as he did a lot of work at the front.  However, he started to falter toward the final few turns only to finish third on the day.  Evan Fader represented the Harley Davidson squad and looked to be in top cross form, as he came back in the last lap to sneak in to the fifth spot.

It appeared to be a great day of racing for a great cause and the bulk of the athletes appeared to be pleased.

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