July 2009 Archives

On July 14^th to the 16^th was the 23^rd annual Working Man's Stage Race in Amesbury, Ma.  Three members of the NE team raced in the event.  Danielle Fischer (Cat4), Seth Haskell (Cat 4) and Rich Cohen (Cat5).  Danielle dominated the women's 3-4 field with her power and speed on the bike getting her three consecutive wins and giving her the top honour in GC.  Danielle also did well at this years Fitchburg Longsjo  again placing high on the GC in the women's 3-4 race. Men's team powerhouses, Seth and Rich both had solid performances placing top in their respective fields. 

Stage 1: Time Trial: The course was a 6.6 mile loop with rolling hills and one moderate climb.

Results:

Danielle Fischer (Cat4): Placed 1^st

Seth Haskell (Cat 4) Placed 4^th

Rich Cohen (Cat 5) Placed 21^st

Stage 2: Circuit Road Race: The course was a 8.8 mile loop with one moderate hill and two fast downhill sections.

Danielle Fischer (Cat4): Placed 1^st

Seth Haskell (Cat 4) Placed 22^nd 

Rich Cohen (Cat 5) Placed 9^th

Stage 3: Criterium / Points Race: The course was the ¼ mile oval at Epping, NH. 

Danielle Fischer (Cat4): Placed 1^st

Rich Cohen (Cat 5) Placed 11^th

Congratulations Danielle on an outstanding race!!! The team is very proud of you!!! 

Race Reports: Will be added Soon

On Sunday July 12^th was the Union Vale Road Race.  Kristen Gohr (Cat 1) headed to New York to represent the NE Colavita Team.  The 61 mile course with a long finishing ascent was ideal for Kristen's power in climbing.  Without out team help, Kristen kept up with the race leaders placing 4^th in the Pro/1/2/3 Category. 

Great Job Kristen!!!  We are proud of you!!!!   

Race Reports: Provide by Kristen Gohr (Cat 1)  

The road race is Union Vale NY is a must for those of you that like long road races!!  It is a 61 mile course with nicely paved roads, rolling hills and one fast winding downhill that we clocked 50+ miles per hour.  The finish is 1.7 mile climb up to approximately 1400 feet.  The women's Pro 1-2-3 field raced together for the first 40 miles.  After that the field was broken up on the downhill into a smaller group of 10.  There were some attacks but nothing that would stick.  Everyone was waiting for the final climb.  The beginning of the climb was pretty steep and 5 of us got away.  I ended up finishing 4th.  Union Vale is about a  3 1/2 hour drive from Boston but totally worth it! 

From July 2^nd to 5^th was the 50^th Anniversary of the Fitchburg Longsjo.  The event is the second oldest stage race and is the largest Pro /Am cycling event in the US.  Over 900 racers from around the world compete in the event.  This year to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary the New England Team was one of the race sponsors.  Several members of the team participated in the event and put on a great show for crowds.

Prologue Time Trial: The new 14.3 KM course had considerably less climbing over the past TT courses.  The weather did not cooperate for the first day.  Thunderstorms, heavy rain and fog made things a little more challenging when navigating the course. Despite these tough conditions Brian Quigley (Cat 4) showed his strength as a TT specialist finishing 2^nd.  Powerhouse Brian Roberts (Cat 3) place 17^th.

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Stage 2:  Circuit Race:  The course was a 3.1 mile loop with one short steep climb that snakes it way around Fitchburg State College.  The sun finally out, made for a great day of racing.

The Colavita 3-4 women showed off their strength in this stage.  Lydia Mathger (Cat 3) dropped the hammer finishing in 2^nd with  Danielle Fisher (Cat4) placing 6^th. Brian Roberts (Cat3) powered out an 8^th place finish with  Jason Moriarty (Cat 3) placing 16^th   Unfortunately a mechanical failure sidelined Kristen Gohr (Cat 1) for the remainder of the race.

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Stage 3: Road Race:  The course know for it's climbing was without the infamous mountain top finish on Mt Wachusett's.   The finish was moved to Princeton centre where a steep climb near the finish made for interesting battles for the line.

Again Lydia Mathger (Cat3) hammered the finishing climb placing 1^st Lydia is an outstanding climber so the course was well suited for her climbing strength. Danielle Fischer (Cat 4) powered up on the last climb finishing 6^th   Chis Hillier (Cat 2) put in a solid effort placing 19^th in the Men's 2 field.  Brian Roberts (Cat 3) turned on the after burners finishing 5^th.  Chris Rodgers (Cat 3- NJ team) placed 8^th and Power house Mark Pohndorf (Cat 3 - NJ Team) placed 10^th

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Stage 4: Crit: The .9 mile course was fast with three corners and relatively flat profile.  The rough roads in turn two made the course a little more challenging.  Entering into the front stretch racers were not only greeted by cheering fans but also a wall of wind.

Danielle Fisher (Cat4) placed 10^th

Lydia Mathger (Cat 3) placed 23^rd

Final General classification.   

Men's 4

Brian Quigley 3^rd

Seth Haskell 30^th

Women's 3-4

Danielle Fisher 7^th

Lydia Mathger 9^th

Men's 3

Mark Pohndorf 4^th

Brian Roberts 11^th

Men's 2

Chris Hillier 22^nd

Race Reports: Will be added soon  

On Saturday June 27^th was the Twilight Criterium in Thompson, CT.  Two members of the men's team were representing the NE Team at the event.  Chris Raymond (Cat3) and David Maynard (Cat3) had a excellent race.  Chris placed 2^nd and Dave placed 6^th    

Both are brilliant crit racers and know how to hammer it down.

On Sunday June 28^th was the Keith Berger Memorial Crit in East Hartford, CT.  The team had three members racing under the Colavita NE colours.  Dave Maynard (Cat 3), Bryon Lewis (Cat 4) and Rich Cohen (Cat 5).   The men had fantastic results.  Bryon dominated the Cat 4 field and won the top honour (See race report below). Rich had a strong finish, placing 7^th.  Dave hammering it out came in 17^th in the 3's

Great job guys!!!

Race Report: Provided by Bryon Lewis (Cat 4)

A spunky Sunday morning Cat 4 field took to the smooth & flat, typical
1 mile, 4 corner course in East Hartford. Several break attempts were
thwarted during the 20 lap fast (26 mph average speed) race, keeping the field
mostly intact, there was some "stunt cornering" displayed on the first
& last few laps that made for some excitement & Peleton grumbling. The
last 2-3 laps saw the pace increase with several attempts of a
getaway...no such chance...the last lap saw the typical "free for all"
weaving & jockeying until the last two turns. Grabbing 3rd wheel, I
followed the speedy two patiently until the last few meters when I
timed the pass & push at the line for a 1/2 wheel win.