August 2013

August to a bike racer conjures up many emotions: exhaustion from racing in endless heat and humidity; the bittersweet end of mountain bike racing; and excitement of the anticipation of the MASS series championships.   Kicking off the final month of mountain bike racing, Ricardo Gomez headed up to Sewell, NJ for the D&Q Summer Sizzler.  A tight woodsy course full of twisty single track, off-camber roots and sections of soft sandy trails, this course is always a challenge.  Ricardo was up for it – chalking up another first place in the Cat 2 Clydesdale class! Ricardo has found his niche and is raking in the points with the big boys.

Due east of Ricardo’s race, Rob DiSibio, Alex Frigon and Fedrico Pozzi were pumping the tires of their road bikes to take on the Mt. Davis Challenge road race in Confluence, PA.  This 41 mile course traverses the highest point in Pennsylvania, climbing to Mt. Davis at an elevation of 3,213 feet.  Though, of course, once is never enough, so after the long windy descent down, the course climbs back up over several prolonged climbs and rough road surfaces.  This race is not for the weary – or untrained!  Our WW trio introduced central PA to how strong WW racer are…Alex battled it out for 2nd place, Rob took home 4th and Fed 6th.  They are already looking forward to next year’s race!

Fed, Rob and Alex planning their strategy

Rob passing another one!

We love podiums!

Changing things up this year, the Mid-Atlantic Super Series opted to have the cross country series finale at the Trailspinners’ Fair Hill Classic in Fair Hill, MD – truly saving the best for last.  This largest race of the season and perennial favorite brings racers of all levels and experience from novice to expert and 4 to 80 year old racers.  This race and course never disappoints; this year was no exception.  The perfect weather provided an outstanding back drop for the course which has it all – tight single track, long and short climbs, water crossings, log overs, off-camber roots – you name it, it is in this course.  WW racers came out in force to finish the season with a bang…and a few more podiums and individual season top-fives.  Kicking things off in Cat 1, Andrew Webster battled it out for 3rd place; Heather Heinrich took 4th with Mags Crilley not far behind in 7th and Dennis Dischler fought a huge class to bring in 21st.  Our Cat 2 racers also had great performances with Alex Frigon taking the top podium spot in his age group; Ricardo Gomez 2nd and Dave Jordan 7th in the big-guy class; Fedrico Pozzi took 11th; Ryan Ashcroft 19th and Brian Urion 43rd. Liz Jones took 4th in the Cat 2 women’s class.  Jenny Gomez battled it out in Cat 3 taking home 6th.  Our newest junior racer Maci Gomez did great in her first mountain bike race finishing 20th.  Because one expert lap isn’t enough, Rob DiSibio opted to do the 50 mile endurance race and finished 22nd in a very large men’s class.  This great day of racing was a perfect to cap to the racing season.  And an outstanding season it was!  As a team, WWR finished 5th overall in the open team category, just one point out of 4th.  Not bad considering we were battling teams twice our size.  Individually, there were five racers with season top-5 finishes. Alex Frigon and Dave Jordan took home the 2nd place trophy in their Cat 2 classes.  In Cat 1, Heather Heinrich finished 4th and Andrew Webster 5th.  Ricardo Gomez finished 5th in Cat 2 Clydesdale – an outstanding accomplishment considering he only moved up to Cat 2 halfway through the season.  The team can look back with pride on a great season…and start planning next year’s training plan!

Ricardo making another pass in the final 100 yards!

Rabid fans cheering Rob on to the finish line

Maci finishing her first mountain bike race!

Oh yeah, Alex on the top spot...yet again!

Ricardo adding another metal to his collection

Webb sporting the WW colors on the podium

Redz taking home 2nd for the MASS season!

The day after competing in the Fair Hill Classic Ryan Ashcroft and Mags Crilley took on the Top of Delaware Sprint Triathlon in Newark, DE…whatever you call it - gluttons for punishment or a hearty appetite for competition – they definitely proved their mettle!  They were joined by fellow WW racer Mike Bria to take on this challenging course.  This race is one of the most unique of its kind starting with a ½ mile swim in the Newark Reservoir followed by a quick sprint down the reservoir hill to the 11 mile hilly bike ride then another sprint back up the reservoir hill to finish with a 2.6 mile run over asphalt, trails and foot bridges. Our racers showed their training has paid off with Mags taking 2nd in her age group and Ryan 4th and Mike 6th in their age group. Way to go – especially after the long mountain bike race the previous day!

Ryan finishing up 4th!

Mags taking 2nd!

Bria can't wait to add this to Strava

So, as we close out another mountain bike racing season, thoughts turn to recovering, taking it easy and resting the mind…but those thoughts are fleeting…because its cyclo-cross season!!  Time to tune up the ‘cross bikes, bring out the barriers and map out your race plans…so many races, so little time!