Norfolk Classic Cycling Weekend “Hails” Champions

Thunderstorms complete with hail shortened one race but no spirits were dampened during the Norfolk Classic Cycling Weekend including the Nebraska State Championship Criteriums.

Saturday’s weather was just as the meteorologists had predicted: cold, rainy, and breezy. The rain at start time soaked riders and crew and caused some foggy mid-race conditions as the skies lightened. A full contingent of riders from Nebraska and neighboring states rolled out of the Stanton County Fairgrounds onto the hilly course in south-central Stanton County.

In the Men’s 1/2/3 race, an early breakaway was formed by Clark Priebe (Powerade - Independent Fabrication)and Bryan Moritz (Bikes 2 You). The pair built a significant lead until about the halfway mark of the race, when a chase group, led by Nebraska-native Ian Gray (Ciclismo), marched up to and beyond the pair. At the finish Dan Porter (Rio Grande Sports Garage) and Cody McCullough (Powerade - Independent Fabrication) sprinted past Gray with Porter taking the win.

A break in the Men’s Cat 4 consisting of Brandon Fenster (Team Kaos/Alegent Health), Vaughn Pierce   (The Bike Way), Duane Blair (Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster), and Jon Protaskey (Team Kaos-Alegent Health) built up a considerable lead over the pack and held it to the finish. Fenster took the win followed by Pierce, Blair, and Protaskey.

Sydney Brown (Mercy Cycling) cruised in for a win ahead of Janna Vavra (Elkhorn Valley Cycling powrd by Monster) in Women’s 1/2/3.

Sunday’s weather was a different story and left riders and event staff wondering about the accuracy of the weathermen. On what was supposed to be a pleasant partly sunny day the skies opened up dumping nearly and inch of rain and marble-sized hail on the city of Norfolk. A few brief showers early in the morning cleared for the Junior’s race but a severe thunderstorm built above Norfolk just as the Cat 5 Men and Cat 4 Women heard the starting whistle.

At about the midpoint of the 30 minute race, rain flooded the streets while hail turned the ground white causing the race to be shortened. In an early sprint finish Brian Krege and Jim Wynia, both of Orthopaedic Consultants/ Central Plains Cycling, took first and second. Brandon Harpster (Team Flatwater) placed third overall and took Nebraska State Championship. Kim Carveth was the Women’s Cat 4 State Champion.

The streets dried somewhat but intermittent light showers kept the surface damp for the remainder of the day. In Men’s 4, riders raced as a pack setting up a group sprint at the end. Ashton Lambie (Team Kaos/Alegent Health) powered ahead at the line with Vaughn Pierce taking a narrow lead for second ahead of John Spray (Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster). Lambie was State Champion with Ricky McGee (unattached) earning championship status in Masters 40-49 as was Rich Pearson (Team Kaos-Alegent Health) in Masters 50+.

In Women’s 1/2/3 Brown and Vavra duplicated Saturday’s finishing spots giving Brown State Champion status.

The Men’s 1/2/3 race was the largest field at this level of racing seen by cycling fans in Norfolk. A blistering pace was set from the start by Cody McCullough setting up the field. A multi-rider crash on the backside of the course eventually caused Priebe to abandon. Joe Savoie (Elkhorn Valley Cycling powrd by Monster) was caught up in the same crash forcing him to overcome a huge deficit. Savoie turned in a huge effort to catch the main pack which was eventually caught by the lead group, which included eventual sprint winner Dan Porter (Rio Grande). Jarred Berger (Ciclismo) was second and the State Champion. Paul Webb was fifth overall and Cat 3 State Champion.

John Vondracek (Team Kaos-Alegent Health) was Cat 1/2 Master 40-49 State Champion and Greg Shimonek (Midwest Cycling Community) was Cat 3 Master 40-49 Champion.

The Norfolk Classic Cycling Weekend gave riders two opportunities for Nebraska Cycling Association Rider of the Year points. The Nebraska State Time Trial is also a ROY event and is scheduled for June 13 at Yutan, Nebraska.

 Results: http://www.nencycling.org...