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FLC Men Smash Squawker Home Race

This post was written by admin on April 15, 2009
Posted Under: Uncategorized

Coach Matt Shriver gives instruction to Men's B riders before the crit.

This past weekend the FLC Cycling team hosted the annual Squawker Classic Races in Durango. The weekend consisted of a Team Time Trial and Criterium on Saturday, followed by the infamous Front Hill road race on Sunday. Unfortunately the Spring weather on Saturday morning was more than epic with an inch of slushy snow on the roads which resulted in the cancellation of the Team Time Trial.

The criterium would go on however rain, snow, or shine and FLC riders rose above the tortuous cold and wet conditions to post some great results for the weekend. Even with the slick conditions there were no crashes and the course was praised for a great layout and safety!

Once again Nora Richards continued to place consistently in the Women’s B field with another 2nd place finish. In the Women’s A Criterium Missy Erickson was again the top FLC finisher coming in 5th after chasing moves and attacking all day.

Team Manager Dave Hagen and Kenji Fortune have a smile

In the Men’s B Criterium, Alex Dossin took advantage of some good form and worked with teammates to ride to a 4th place finish. Alex owes teammates Kenji Fortune and Grady James a thank you for softening the field and working together to get Alex a strong finish.

The Men’s A Criterium brought the most epic conditions of the day. With rain and a wet snow on the starting line, the FLC team quickly went to work launching Ian Burnett up the road. Ian rode solo for the first 20 minutes of the criterium while his teammates sat back and waited in good position. As the race heated up, Jesse DeKrey followed moves and snuck away in a couple unsuccessful breaks. Ben Sonntag, The German, sat in good position and waited until the final lap to make a move. Ben went int the final corner at the front and just got nipped at the line by a CSU rider. A strong team effort by the FLC Men.

Ben Sonntag (Ze German) rides to 2nd place in the wet crit

Sunday’s weather offered ideal racing conditions for the collegiate rider’s from four different states and 13 schools in the region. The road race course offers a brutal climb up the front hill of the campus with sections of 13% grade onto Rim Drive that meanders around the Fort Lewis College mesa. The riders take in views of the snow covered La Plata mountains before hitting the rollers and descending down Goegline Gluch road back to the bottom of the front hill climb. In total the A men did 9 laps of a 6 mile circuit and the Women would complete 5 laps.

Sabina Kraushaar made the early move in the Women’s A race that came apart on front hill. After riding as the only FLC rider in the main group, Sabina finally came off and couldn’t cover any more attacks by herself. A strong ride by Sabina in the road race. Tina Dominic would ride consistently all day to finish just behind Sabina.

Ben Sonntag delivered the first win of the road season for the FLC Men’s A riders. The Men’s race turned out to be a race of attrition and there was no hiding on the front hill. After a CSU rider stayed away for 8 out of 9 laps, FLC went to work and brought him back. Yarden Gazit and Jesse DeKrey shredded the field by attacking repeatedly. This set up Ben Sonntag and Russell Brown for a 1st and 3rd place finish in the road race. Jesse DeKrey, although tired from attacking and working the last 2 laps, rode to a very respectable 5th place finish.

DangeRuss (Russell Brown) puts it down and suffers

Thanks to all of our sponsors and volunteers for making this event happen. We couldn’t have done this race without them. Special thanks to Dave Hagen for all of his hard work in putting on the most fun Collegiate Race of the year.

Next up is the Air Force Academy race in Colorado Springs this weekend, April 25-26th. Hopefully the 3-7 inches of snow they are calling for heads North!