Rob's Report #1

Let the Giros begin!

The long winter is nearly over and the GVCC riders emerged this weekend from their winter hibernation with lots of shiny new bikes and bright team kits to get the season underway The JW Dundee’s team was looking extra sharp, sporting their new team kits. The riders were greeted with a beautiful spring like day to kick off the first Giro of ’06. The warm temps & bright sun brought a big turn out of riders and the rollout from Park Ave. was marked by lots of smiles and a jovial mood as many friends/racers are reunited after the long winter break.

Racing was underway on W. Bloomfield Rd. and the duo of McKnight (R3) and Scott (Handlebars) made a move immediately gapping the field. Soon after, Kevin Mahoney (JW Dundee’s) was chasing the pair solo hoping to bridge up, while the peleton was content to let the early aggressors go. The chase heated up on Strong Rd. after Mahoney rejoined the group. Some hard digs up front by JW Dundee’s, Shikluna, and Preferred Care brought the escapees back. The pace was fast and furious heading back to Mendon Ponds, not allowing any riders to get a gap on the big field even though many tried. Starting the final circuit near the park, the final selection was made as Jay Joslyn (Shikluna) rolled off the front of the peleton and was quickly joined by Kevin Mahoney (JW Dundee’s), Gary Egan (Full Moon), Brian Cardona (R3), Steve Burgett (Verge). The quintet stayed away on the final circuit with Joslyn taking the win, and Kevin Mahoney coming home a fine 4th in his first outing in the JW Dundee’s colors! Taylor Hogan, Mark Dux, and I cruised in with the large field with Dwight right behind us.

What a difference a day makes! The Buffalo Giro Sunday greeted the riders with misty rain, and drizzle. The long/wet ride from Handlebars to the course in Pendleton got everyone in the mood to race I guess, since the race heated up right out of the parking lot! The Shikluna attack machine was firing off riders early. Adam Garlapow (Shikluna) was the first to go & then Preferred Care answered. The soaking wet conditions didn’t dampen the pace as the field was screaming on the first of three, ten-mile loops. Jay Joslyn made the winning move early as he attacked hard half way through the first lap to put a gap on. A chase group quickly developed with Kevin Mahoney ( JW Dundee’s), Rob Dietrick (JW Dundee’s), Jason Skalski (Preferred Care), Chris Riley (Preferred Care), and Scott (Handlebars) with John Roden (Shikluna) getting a free ride from the group as they chased his teammate Jay. The chase group got within 10 seconds, but never closed the deal, as Joslyn continued hammering away to stay out front. Our chase group crumbled on the last lap and was swallowed up by the field with 3 miles to go. Dwight Roth (JW Dundee’s) took some hard stabs at the front to help keep some attacks in check in the closing 3k, but we were unable to come up with a placing as the field was set up by PC for a sprint finish for 2nd taken by Scheske. It was very strong effort by all three of us to end the first weekend of racing.

Rob Dietrick