4/23/2005 by Ted Ingraham
Cold, Wet, and Tough. That describes the weather and the racers Saturday for the first week of RATL 2005. Thirty-eight degrees, constant driving rain and gusting winds kept most racers at home, but over 50 intrepid souls were not to be denied an opportunity to race!
The most surprising field was the C5/citizen's. Twelve racers took the line, followed by four women, and even four juniors were willing to plow through the slop. The typically fast C5 Race was won easily by Freewheeler Doug Williams. Awesome junior/woman Sinead Miller out-sprinted Jane Evely to take the Women's race, and Ross Monat out-lasted the other youngesters to take the Junior race.
The C-4 Race saw a three-man breakaway lap most of the rest of the field and then it came down to an exciting, tight, three-up sprint. Dan Quinlan bested Ryan Williams and Andy Rose by less than a wheel, and all three are to be congratualted on a huge effort!
The fifteen-man Cat 3 Race saw the largest field of the day. Freewheeler/Allied Decal racer Ed Delgros showed his strength by pulling the field nearly the entire race and he was still able to win the large bunch sprint at the finish. Teammate Jim Mullins (the only bare legs I saw all day – he must really be proud on them!) muscled in for third.
The Cat 1/2/3 Race had just twelve racers, but all the usual suspects showed-up to prove why they are the area's top racers. After a few failed attacks Jeremy Grimm, Zak Dieringer, and Mike Busa broke free with about a third of the race to go. Setting a torrid pace, it looked like the break would stick. The field chased hard and was still just seconds behind when Paul Martin and Jim Baldasare separated themselves with just a few laps to go. It made for an interesting race as Martin and Baldasare appeared to not want to work together and thus struggled to close the gap on the three strong leaders. Someone must have finally made the big effort because the two chasers finally caught the leaders at the bridge before the last turn. Baldasare was spent but Paul Martin poured it on in the sprint. Paul didn't have enough to catch strong-man Grimm, but he edged out Busa for third while Zak had to settle for fourth.
Thanks to all the racers who refused to let the terrible conditions keep them away. And, a special "Thank You!" to all the volunteers and Dan, our official, who were standing in the cold rain from 8:00 am until 1:30. Among other volunteers, working hard all day were Dick and Sally Lott, Joanne and George Liolios, Tricia and Karen Ingraham, Phil Esempio, and Glenn Sullinger. Next week has to be better!!!