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Fall Fling #1 & #2
The Fall Fling is a 4 race series down in Illinois that finishes off the Midwest road- racing season. Team GEARGRINDER once again proved they have some great end of the season fitness. Stage 1 was a criterium at the Pella window factory, and was basically a large flat velodrome. Aside from the person in front slowing down there was no reason to hit the brakes, just put your head down and pedal fast. Ryan and Chad showed up to do battle with the wind and the other racers, and did they. The attacks started early a were relentless until the field finally snapped, following a strong move by Ryan, Chad jumped away with two other rider and put some distance on the bunch. For over half an hour the three work together and built up a large time gap. Once it came down to a sprint Chad had it in the bag. Ryan came home 3rd in the bunch for 6th.
The Crete road race seems like a typical no-frills square flat course, but add in some 20 mph wind, and heck, we got our selves a race. After his win the day before, Chad found himself heavily marked, and had a few too many "shadows". He found allies in Ryan and the wind. Ryan took some opportunities to jump off the front a get some time in the hopes that Chad could come across and have two GEARGRINDER's up the road. But each time Chad moved so did everyone else. This is where the crosswind came in. Each time a strong cross wind blew, Chad hit the front hard, splitting the group again and again. Eventually there were few rider left. On the final lap a break of six was up the road with a 1:15 gap. Chad had all but blown up the field with only one rider hanging one, when he set off to catch the leaders. In the cross tailwinds the speed odometer was pegged at 36mph, into the headwind the gap was down to 20 secs. Inch by inch he clawed back to the front, catching the lead 6 right before the final corner (800 meters to go). A brief rest let Chad recharge for the sprint, and at 200 meters he shot out of the small group. Some were unaware two more riders had caught on, but Chad held on for stage win #2.
He leads the series, which continues next weekend with a time trial and circuit race.
Ronald Reagan Criterium
This weekend Team GEARGRINDER head down south to the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan in Dixon, IL for the, you guessed it, the Ronald Reagan Criterium. At this late in the season the field size was small and even we didn't show up with our full squad. Rob and Chad were eager to capitalize on some later season form, and did just that.
Festivities started early as Jelly Belly rider Bryce Mead attacked the field on lap 2. Rob was on immediately with a few other riders and Chad waited to see how it developed. Half a lap later it was time to go. Once both Rob and Chad were there they wasted no time in breaking apart the move. The next lap the break went from 8 to 4 riders as the pressure stayed on. It only took 20 minutes to lap the field the first time. With 40 minutes left to race Rob and Chad punched it straight through the field and off the front again.
This time only three from the original break made it. A few successive attacks and it was too much for the jelly belly rider (who had done a 40 km TT that morning). Rob and Chad joined together alone off the front and went "all in". Drilling the pace they caught the field a second time and went straight to the front and made sure no one caught on from behind.
On the final lap they had plenty of time to sit up and stay safe and put their arms up for Team GEARGRINDER's second 1-2 of the season.
Illinois State Road Race
Rob and Chad Headed south this weekend for the Il state road championships. As one of the final road races of the year a surprisingly strong field assemble to fight out the days prizes. Riders from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota showed up to take their shots. As the season winds down, Rob was still looking for a good win this year. After a few laps of attacking, testing, and measuring a flurry of attacks resulted in rob off the front with 5 others. We knew this was his chance as he could out sprint all of his breakaway companions. Back in the field Chad did his best to hold back the pack and give Robbie his chance. On the final lap all rob had to do was keep the group together and it was his for the taking. At the bottom of the final climb it was all together and the pace lifted. At the bottom of the hill to the line rob started his sprint from the front and blew the group off his wheel. Rob won by more the 50 yards. Back in the pack Chad finally broke away after some others did the same and soloed in for 12th. Rob took the top step and the gold medal, but being from Wisconsin the state jersey went to 3rd place (first IL rider).
Gateway Cup - St. Louis
Over the long Labor day weekend Team GEARGRINDER headed south to St Louis for the Gateway Cup. This final 4 day crit series proved once again the we are a force to be reckoned with.
The opening night is the Tour of Layfette and the gun goes off at 9:30 PM! This race is DARK, very dark. Jim, Rob and Chad spent most of the time patrolling the front making sure nothing dangerous got away with out us. Late in the race a serious move got up the road with some major players and Chad was right there with it. The big local team was not about to let that one roll away and put former NRC winner Scott Moninger on the front to bring us back in the fold. The break was caught at 2 to go. It would be a field sprint. Chad came home in 6th followed by Jim in 12th and rob in 35th
The next day was St. Louis hills. A new course for this year and WIDE open, it was at least three lanes all the way around. With the high speed nature of the day no breaks stood a chance. Coming into the sprint Chad saw an opportunity to jump the lead-out trains and leapt out of the pack at 600 meters. Out of the last corner the gap was small but had a chance. Only in the final 15 meters did two rider come surging past. Chad hung on for 3rd, Jim was 13th and rob was 25th.
The Third day is the Giro della Montange. A St. Louis tradition this has been a hallmark race for 50 years. With a good size hill and a tighter course this one tends to split up a bit. Been ever present on and off the front, Team GEARGRINDER was in every move of the day. Some serious move came and went but in the end Jim found the right one. After a few laps Jim followed US Olympian Colby Pearce and dropped the rest of the break. The Two worked well together to stay away, but in the end Jim found it hard to out sprint an Olympic track racer, Jim got second. In the bunch behind the sprint for third was all but a tie. After much discussion and review of the tape there was no discernable gap between Chad and Dan Schmatz, yellow jersey wearer and local favorite, for 3rd. Crowd applause helped the officials choose dan for 3rd and Chad in 4th. Rob was 35th
The Final day was the Tour of Missouri downtown crit. The early start was need to be able to compete on the same finish line as the first stage of Tour of MO. Again a fast wide open course suggested a sprint finish. Chad and Jim came in 7th and 8th after a lead-out by rob.
Chad finished 4th overall with Jim also in 9th. Team GEARGINDER proved once again we are a force in any race.
Downers Grove
Every year the US peloton heads to downers Grove, IL for the National Criterium Championships. This race has a different 'feel' then most, as everyone is fit, ready, anxious to get started.
The weekend starts off with a rather short Saturday night event to give a preview of what's to come and open up the riders legs. With nearly 200 starters and lots to prove the race is a quick one. Most of the pros would rather work harder to keep out of trouble the day before the championship. Team GEARGRINDER rode a great race with Jim, Rob, and Chad making multiple breaks. Near the end of the quickly darkening race, small groups jumped away, leading to some confusion. At 3 to go, sensing hesitation, Chad jumped away from the field attempting to bridge to the leaders. The 7 riders up the road were shattered in groups of two's and three's. Chad was caught from behind on the last lap by the splintering field but still managed to win the field sprint for 8th.
The next day was the National Championship, 80km would decide who get to wear the stars and stripes. We had the day all planned out, and we were all set to go when the curve ball came. Torrential rain. From about 10 laps in to about 10 to go we rode through a downpour, as fast as safety would allow. The single file pace was a waiting game as crash after crash whittled down the field. Inside ten to go the roads were drying out a little and the pace nervously picked up again. A small group jumped away but sat 10-15 seconds off the front, hardly away. At 6 to go rider were getting itchy if not frantic trying to get across to the break. With 2 corners to go a massive pile up derailed some 20 riders, Chad and Jim were both went down. Being thrown in a five to go (the last free lap) Jim and Chad made quick work getting back to the front. As two team set up shop blocking on the front Chad once again jumped away at 3 to go trying to bridge to the leaders. Going solo he got to within 5 seconds of the break before turning back into the headwind and loosing ground. He got caught again with half a lap to go and held on for 11th.
Tour of Elk Grove
This weekend was the NRC ranked Tour of Elk Grove down in Illinois. Team GEARGRINDER once again showed we are a force to be reckoned with.
On Saturday Team GEARGRINDER riders Jim Stemper, Rob White, and Chad Hartley lined up for the 70km race. The race got off to a quick start with a prime on the second lap, Chad attacked after the sprint and set up a break. Jim was right there and came through with the furious pace only he can set. Some rider in the middle couldn't hold the pace and the break split, Jim up front, Chad behind. Little did the field think one the third lap that would be the last they saw of the break. 65 km later however they were still dangling just off the front and on the line held on with just 8 seconds. Jim came home with a podium place and his first "big check" (the big cardboard kind).
Sunday was the same course but 6 more laps and a lot less wind. Again we were of to a quick pace as, this time, they rang the prime bell on the start line. Attacks came and went all day with Team GEARGRINDER in the mix with all of them. But it wasn't until later in the race did a 27-rider split work its way off the front. Up in the hunt were Chad and Rob. They took turns trying to distance themselves from the other breakaway riders. Split after split the big group was on the edge of collapse. At 8 to go a small group looked good but was disrupted as two rider crashed. Then at 5 to go another split with Chad and three other look like it might have a chance. With the slimmest of time gaps and uncooperative riders Chad attacked again and again trying to gain time. He was getting away from the group but not the other breakaway riders. Rob held on to an attack and was flying across to the front. On the final lap 6 riders had about 4 seconds on a shattering peloton. Chad Attacked again putting everyone on edge. At half a lap to go Rob through in one of his own and was away with one rider and looked great for the win. At 500 meters two sprinter came through full gas in desperation catching Chad off-guard. Rob too. We had to settle for 4th and 5th on a day where we clearly made the race.
It is a small point of pride now in any race GEARGRINDER rider are among the most marked, most watched riders in the group. With good reason, we ride hard.
Superweek 2009
Much like ToAD, Team GEARGRINDER was always aggressive, and fought hard toward our goals. In the end we came away with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the sprint competition, and Jim Stemper was the top amateur and top American, and had two podium appearances. Rob also spent 6 days in the red jersey.
Some of the highlights include - Beverly hills, where both Jim and Rob made the winning break, lapped the field and went off the front again. That day both finished top-10 in 7th and 8th. Bensenville was the next fine performance with Jim breaking away early with one other rider and taking a lap, in the end he finished 2nd and his first podium appearance. This was also the day Rob made it into the red jersey, which he held for 6 days. The team had top-10 placing's at Arlington Heights, Shorewood, Evanston, and Racine. Another notable race was the lake front road race, where Jim left the field on the final lap and almost caught the leaders on the line but still finishing a respectable 3d place.
UW Whitewater
In an off weekend between big series, racing was scarce. The UW Whitewater team did have two events that had to contend with tired legs and a national holiday. Jim and Chad made the journey out to the start, along with 6 other riders. Yes, really - 8 riders total for the pro-1-2's.
With 8 riders it's like starting the race in the breakaway. Jim and Chad executed a perfect one-two punch. Chad hit it hard up the climb and drew out the contenders, over the top Jim blew by us forcing a small group away. The chase was quick but to no avail. A lap later Chad bridged across to the leaders and they distanced themselves from the field. The four rider rode well together for most of the day, and the only attack came on the last lap. Chad marked it well and was poised for the win. The sprint was a formality for both Chad and Jim, Chad for 1st and Jim for 3rd. As the WCA winds down Chad's overall lead looks better and better.
TOAD. Part 2
Waukesha - June 28th
With Chad having a very comfortable lead and the next three on GC very tight attentions would be in the GC riders. Rob and Jim both knew this and used it to their advantage as they went away on the first lap. With hard riding up front and the yellow jersey slowing down the field, they were quickly out of sight. Riders tried to bring them back but it was never going to happen. After almost 50 minutes they could see the back of the field and knew they would fight out the stage win from there. Back in the field Chad had picked p a few primes but waited for the $1000 ultimate lap prime. When they rang the bell for the ultimate lap he couldn't have been better placed. As another team lead-out their sprinter, Chad got the jump before the final turn and surged for the line. Chad proved again he's one of the quickest riders at ToAD. Back up front Jim and Rob worked the break to their advantage. Rob was the first to attack, being chased by a third rider with Jim sitting on. When Rob was caught Jim launched a race winning counter-attack. As Rob watched Jim get a gap he launched another attack leaving the other riders for dead. Team GEARGINDER finished 1-2. Another stellar day for team GEARGRINDER!
Three Stage wins, ToAD Overall win, and 2 big-money primes.
Downer Ave. - June 27th
Some might say that Downer Ave is the jewel of ToAD. It has the biggest crowds, and the biggest primes. The Ultra-prime was up to $5800 by the end of the night, not bad for a few laps of effort. Everyone had the same thought- be in the break! After 30 minutes of trying no break had more then a few seconds in hand. After a small prime a group has a slight gap and Chad jumped across to cover it. With two GC riders now in the break both of their teams shut the field down. The yellow jersey managed to slip into a break and was gone before anyone got on terms. Up in the break, five riders worked well to open the gap on the field. Before to long we could see the field rounding the corner ahead of us. With 11 to go the break got the bell for the Ultra-prime. After some attempts on the backside the five riders watched each other down the home straight. Chad launched his sprint before the first corner and put his hands in the air for the big money dash-for-cash. At ten to go they got back to work and headed for the finish. A few attacks were neutralized and rounding the final corner Chad once again launched his sprint. No one came by this time and he put his hands in the air for second time that night. Jim and Ryan came in for 10th and 11th. Not a bad night!
Greenbush - June 26th
This Road Race was one the team was concerned about. It was an event that we didn't have as much advantage as a flat criterium. But the plan was simple, keep it together for the GC riders and another bunch sprint. As usual an early break took it shot, trying to take some early time. In the bunch was an easy day waiting for someone to start up the attacks. All came and want without much success. Finally a small group with non-dangerous-GC riders got a gap and we waved good-bye. As four riders up the road fought out a stage win, action in the back saw a good GC battle. Jim out rode a whole team in a chase, as rider after rider dropped back, Jim was left by himself at the front. Coming into the final straight Rob guided Chad to the front before launching on the final climb to the finish. Chad hit out and but space between himself and his rivals. He finished right where he wanted. in the yellow jersey!
Sheboygan - June 25th
As one of the GEARGRINDER team events this one had a big star next to it. With the wide-open nature of the course the day was destine for a field sprint. With riders trying to slip away in vain the race was fast all day. Jim Patrolled the front not letting anyone get more than a few seconds. When it came to crunch time Jim was the first in the lead-out paving the way for Robbie on the last lap. Rob hit out perfectly on the backside and guided Chad to the last corner. In the sprint Chad blew past all in front of him and had 150 meters of daylight between him and the line. Just as he was going to chalk up his second win a rider came racing by in the final meters. Again a very close 2nd.
Fond du Lac - Crit - June 24th
Again the heat was a major factor. After the hot day before the field had some tired legs. After 20 minutes of attacking a break went away two riders slipped away. Not long after another group slipped off too. Chad managed to slip into a group of five and put time on the yellow jersey. Late in the race Rob rode an express train across the gap and joined Chad at the front. Our group never caught the front two, but stayed away from the yellow to move up. Rob was 8th and Chad 10th.
Fond du Lac - Road Race - June 23rd
The main opponent today was the 95-degree heat. The plan was to drink, drink, and drink so more. It worked out very well. Rob jumped away in the early break right away while the rest of the team waited for the heat to take its toll. By mid way riders were starting to fade. Chad made his way into a chase group and bridged to the front group, a lap later Jim did the same. With 12 riders at the front of the race and 3 from Team GEARGRINDER, we were in great position. After several attacks Jim got away with one other rider. In the fight for the line Jim got nipped on the finish, but a well-deserved 2nd. Chad was 10th, Rob 13th, and Ryan was 19th
Manitowac - June 21st
The Dead flat, wide-open course and a motivated field held the highest average speed of all the races at ToAD At the end of the night the Pro field sustained 29.8 mph, and with such high speeds no breakaway had much of a chance. A few short lived breaks ruffled some feathers in the final minutes but on the last lap the bunch sprint was in the cards. Chad finished 5th and rob was 8th. With Chad's 5th place he also moved up to 3rd overall.
Toad Off to a Great Start!
Team GEARGRINDER Wins Giro de Grafton!
After the first 4 day of the Tour of America's Dairyland Team GEARGRINDER has showed up ready to race.
Blue Mounds - as the potential Olympic road race course you know you're in for a difficult day. It was. Of the 100 Pro-1-2 starters there were 26 finishers, a high rate of attrition. Jim Stemper came in 10th an amazing finish on such a tough day
Waterloo - under very treating skies the race got under way with warnings that it could be called or finish early at any point. Luckily the deluge held off until the final 5 laps of the scheduled race. Jim had been off the front with one rider for more the half the race and looked good to go the line...until the rain. Jim's breakaway partner couldn't handle the corners as well in the wet and they began to lose precious seconds each lap. With two laps to go they were caught, and the sprint was on. Chad hit out a long way from home hoping to avoid crashes only to be caught in the final 100 meters. He held on for 3rd.
Grafton - Jim again was the man in the break, this time he had more help. Out front for most of the race he got Team GEARGRINDER announced again and again. But again it wasn't to be as the group got caught 100 meter before the final corner. Chad was ready and waiting again, he came through the final corner third and launched a sprint no one could match.
Manitowoc - the course was dead flat with wide-open corners that resulted in a race with an average speed of 29.8 mph! Team GEARGRINDER was once again the aggressors trying to blow apart the field. Attacks went again and again but no one could hold the 30+ mph required to stay away. Chad slipped into a late break that looked to have a chance at 5 to go. But with slim 4-second gap it came back with one to go. The wide open course allowed for a drag race like no other, 10-12 down the back side into the final two corners, Chad managed to hold on for 5th place and rob in 13th. Chad moved up to 3rd in the overall standings.
Nature Valley Grand Prix
Nature Valley Grand Prix is the first in a long line of up coming races. As an NRC status event it is also one of the hardest. The 5 day race has 6 stages with a time trial, 2 road races, and 3 crits.
Being our 2nd time trial of the year and first with aero bars, the expectation wasn't too high going in, just get through it and to the rest of the race. That night was the St. Paul criterium, a short fast lap very similar to the capital crit in Madison. On a day where a handful of rider got shed out the back Team GEARGRINDER was right at the front end of the action.
The Cannon falls road race was next. This day was 67 mile done in 2:12.. Fast! The tight fast technical finish proved no problem for the GEARGRINDER boys as the field was reduced by half. Chad and Jim came in with top 30 finishes.
The Uptown crit on Friday night was a spectators dream. Fast racing, a few crashes, tons of action. Is was one of our best days, the whole team was in the mix right until the end. Chad came in 16th with Jim just behind in 30th.
Mankato is generally regarded as the "start" of the real race. The large hill on the finish circuits destroys the field and the big boys come out to play. Despite losing a bit of ground on the first time up, Chad and rob hung tough and didn't lose any more time on the final three laps. The field was oh so close yet just out of reach. Jim also had some great legs that day, despite testing the durability of a Minnesota curb.
The final day is the Stillwater criterium, arguably one of the hardest crits in America. The race starts at the base of an 18% climb, followed by another kilometer of flat and more uphill before relenting and dropping back down to the start. This race rarely sees more then 5 riders come in together at the finish and maybe 30-40 total finishers. We started this incredible day with just about the worst start position you can get.dead last. But again we hung tough and as the riders around us dropped like flies, we held on. Rob hung until 6 to go and Chad and Jim made it to 3 to go (30% of the riders left) before finishing out the day.
The guys did great against a field of Americas best racers, they held their own and proved they deserved a spot at the front. Up next is Tour of Americas Dairyland. watch out.