State Road Race Results
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05 November 2010
WHILE I NORMALLY TRY TO PUBLISH A RACING NEWS STORY BY TUESDAY, I was hoping for updated race results from the FRCA web-site before posting my report. Unfortunately, the FRCA numbers are in complete disarray and I have no reasonable expectation that the FRCA information will be correctly updated any time soon.
So, to avoid further delay, here’s our end-of-the season race report
Most of the FRCA side of the GearLink team has transitioned to their off-season training prior the State Road Race weekend, so GearLink attendance was light. Nonetheless, those GearLinkers who did attend the Championship races raced very well.
In the Women’s Category 1-3 race one of our newest racers, GERI LAVERTY, continued to build on her late-season success by turning in a strong 5th place finish against a strong field of women racers. Whether road racing, crit racing, or cyclo-cross racing, Geri continues to shine for team GearLink.
In the Men’s 50+ Masters Category road race three GearLink teammates pinned on a number for their last race of the season. Representing the walking wounded was KIRBY JOHNSON, still not yet completely healed from his bone-breaking Bartow race crash. If Kirby’s luck was as good as his racing ability, he’d have won the race (like he did last year, by the way). Unfortunately, Kirby flatted out during this year’s race, and so he will have to wait until next year to reclaim his rightful place as State Road Race Champion. I hope that you are all as impressed as I am by such a valiant effort from a wounded warrior.
Contrasted with the valiant efforts of one of GearLink’s most veteran racers was the achievement of one of our good training partners, but one who doesn’t often race, none other than BRIAN MACKIE. Brian’s race palmares is quite impressive but it literally precedes the turn of the century, with virtually no recent racing. To jump into a State Road Race Championship that brings out the best-of-the-best, takes quite some cajones. Not only did Brian’s cajones enable him to hang with the main pack for the entire race, they also enabled him to lead WILL LARSON out in the final sprint. Ultimately, Brian’s legs cramped up and he signaled to Will that he was on his own. Will parlayed that lead-out into an impressive 4th place finish. Meanwhile, propelling himself on sheer willpower alone, Brian still finished in 9th place. A top-ten finish in your first race in over a decade, in a State Championship race to boot, is a fantastic achievement. Bravo Brian!
And of course, WILL LARSON’s 4th place finish against all the State’s heavy hitters is a testament to Will’s dedicated training program, and to his determination, and to his impressive racing ability.
It’s amazing how, especially with our 45+ Masters racers, one GearLinker goes down, and another GearLinker just steps up and takes over. Over and over the cream keeps rising to the top.
Awesome job, every one of you.
Next up, the team Party. See you all there!
Bob Lecznar (Cat. 6 Extraordinaire)
