Appleton welcomed the Tour of America’s Dairyland this year with a festive atmosphere of live music and a large spectator crowd that was full of energy. That energy was transferred to the riders as attacks launched and was certainly welcomed by Team Wisconsin-MC2’s Dan Ajer as he chased down another rider to steal an early sprint prime. At about the half way point, the crowd turned their attention to a group of three that had attacked and were starting to gain significant ground on the field. The Bahati Foundation organized a desperate chase at the front to bring the trio back but to no avail. With organization in the field crumbling, the three stayed clear with James Stemper jumping free to take the win.
Days Results:
1. STEMPER, JAMES – Kenda Pro Cycling pb Geargrinder
2. NAPOLITANO, RUDOLPH – Liquid Fitness/Adageo Energy
3. GONZALES, ANDREW – FCS/Metro Volkswagen
Overall:
1. HARTLEY, CHAD – Kenda Pro Cycling pb Geargrinder
2. BAHATI, RAHSAAN – Bahati Foundation
3. HOWE, ISAAC – Team Mountain Khaki’s
This years Giro de Grafton was integrated into the professional cycling National Racing Calendar. Joining the field were team representatives from The Bahati Foundation (including 2008 Criterium National Champion Rahsaan Bahati), Kenda Pro Cycling (including 2009 ToAD champion Chad Hartley), Mountain Khakis, and others including the former France national road racing champion. Team Wisconsin held strong with Dierking putting in a few digs as well as Frye and Paquette maintaining contact at the front. With primes being handed out constantly, speeds were consistently above 30mph and topping 35 on occasion. At five laps to go Paquette and Frye were able to move up into go position but coming through on the final lap Frye had some bad luck and flatted on the last corner. Off the front and giving it everything he had through the final corner was Team Aero Cat’s Andrew “the Volcano” Crater. For a moment it looked as if his late attack might hold but when Rahsaan Bahati flipped on the NOS, it was no longer even a contest. Behind, the sprint splintered due to a nasty crash and Paquette rolled across the line at 26th.
Giro de Grafton P/1/2:
1. BAHATI, RAHSAAN Bahati Foundation
2. HOWE, ISAAC Team Mountain Khaki’s
3. BARROWS, CLAYTON AXA Equitable Cycling Team
26. PAQUETTE, DAVID Team Wisconsin-MC2
Overall:
1. HARTLEY, CHAD Kenda Pro Cycling
2. HOWE, ISAAC Team Mountain Khaki’s
3. BAHATI, RAHSAAN Bahati Foundation
Day 2 – Thiensville Fiddleheads Coffee Criterium
About 30 minutes prior the start, a thunderstorm rolled through Thiensville and this flat, fast, 4 corner criterium began in the rain. Seconds after the official starting gun sounded and before most racers were clipped in, there was a crash. That seemed to set the tone for the day, as there were multiple falls early in the race. As predicted, the pace was furious from the start, with riders getting shed in the first 10 laps. A break of 3 rolled off the front early and established a sizable gap over the chasing field. The original break was caught and a second move consisting of 4 riders rode clear of the field with only a few laps to go and held it to the finish. The sprint was won by AeroCat Cycling. Attrition was high, as roughly half the field finished the race. Dan Ajer and Ben Anderson were among the many riders who kissed the pavement yesterday, but luckily they came away with minor injuries. Day 3 in Grafton promises to be fast and furious again, as it is part of the USA Crit series and more big pro teams are slated to start.
Stage Results:
1. Dotti, Juan Pablo – AeroCat Cycling Team
2. Grant, John – Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
3. Howe, Isaac – Team Mountain Khakis
4. Stemper, James – Kenda Pro Cycling
5. Bezdek, Neil – Team Mountain Khakis
Overall:
1. Hartley, Chad – Kenda Pro Cycling
2. Grant, John – Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
3. Barrows, Clayton – AXA Equitable Cycling Team
