Steve Wells and Joe Cooke in Nanticoke, PA for a pro 123 Crit
July 12th, 2010 1:59pm
Steve Wells and Joe Cooke went down to Nanticoke, PA for a pro 123 Crit last Saturday. The Pre Reg had (Jacki Simes III and Marty Nothstein) so you know it was going to be fast, there was maybe 5 cat 3 including Joe and Steve so the field was a competitive one. This would be a good test for both of them.
The course was 0.6 mile with a hill on the finish side.
The race was a typical Pro Cat 1/2 fast for the first third and boys hung on to the position hoping that the heat and pace would let up soon, as is always the case, good riders were already starting to drop out at this point.
A small break went early up the road and the pack settled into chase mode. About half way thru Joe's cramps became too much. Steve continues to ride the waves of counter attacks and finally got on a train of 6 riders. The small group starts to make in roads to the breaks lead and with about 6 laps to go they bridge up.
The pace slowed as now the large break is setting up for the final push. Not surprising a rider takes off with just before one to go and Steve jumps on the locomotive. Up the hill and down the back stretch. They have a small gap, at this point the locomotive needs more coal and Steve now needs to make a decision sit up or attack. He jumps around his unfortunate lead out man and try to make it to the finish. Around the final corner the fast men catch Steve and he now is in 4th place, the final sprint is on and Steve try’s to hold position in a very fast finish and hits the line in 6th place. WOW a newbie cat 3 racing in the biggest race so far in his short cycling career and he beat PRO's Cat 1 and 2 for a solid 6th place. Congrats Steve.
