Alejandro Albor (Elk Grove, CA) finally grabbed an elusive fifth victory last week at the toughest race in the world, the Sadler’s Ultra Challenge in Alaska. Albor joins Monica Bascio as one of the only two 5-time winners. First tackling the race in 2000, Albor is a mainstay at the event, and his victory this year was a convincing one, on the heels of his World Championship title last Fall in Aigle, Switzerland.
The 40 year old American certainly had something to prove at this year’s race, which was a rematch with South African, Ernst Van Dyk, who bested the American by less than 5 minutes in 2005. This year, the American left little to chance in the hills on stages one and two, as well as the new time trial in Denali Park. To his credit, Van Dyk managed to win 4 stages and was without question the most aggressive rider. Albor’s strategy was a bit different, as he often utilized his friend and confidant, Oz Sanchez (San Diego, CA) to chase down attacks from the South African. The notorious stage 2 from Nenana to Healy showcased Albor’s fitness and preparedness when he broke away from Sanchez and Van Dyk with 6 miles left in the stage, and demoralized his competitors over the final, hilly section to win the day by more than 6 minutes. The next morning’s 6 mile time trial in Denali National Park saw him add another 2 minutes to his overall lead, and he cruised from there, using Sanchez to control all attacks and not concern himself with stage wins.
This year’s race also featured great racing the HCB category, with American David Lee (Cardiff by the Sea, CA) showing great form and besting former champion, Peer Bartels of Leer, Germany (Condor Airlines) by an impressive 42 minutes. Lee, a hopeful for the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Cyling Team, is turning heads this season and his win in Alaska will certainly catch the eye of U.S. Paralympics.
In the women’s race, Sherry Schulz (formerly Sherry Ramsey) finally grabbed an elusive victory after finishing 2nd in the race four times previously. Schulz was considered the favorite heading in to this year’s race, but there was some degree of uncertainty with newcomer Maria Morales Avila of Mexico, and Katja Luke of Germany who competed last year. Schulz had never raced against either competitor, and — as is the trend all over the world — average speeds for women’s handcycling races have steadily increased over the last few years. Schulz left nothing to chance as she prepared diligently in the month’s leading up to the event training in the high altitude hills near her home in Colorado.
Once the racing begain, Luke grabbed the early lead in the Anchorage prologue over 2nd-placed Schulz who was groggy from a late night arrival the previous evening. The next morning’s difficult stage one however saw Luke experience drivetrain problems just 2 miles in to the race. Although nobody clocked the time spent working on her handcycle, it was a bad way to start the race. Schulz’s final margin over Luke was just 28 minutes at week’s end. Would it have been closer had the German not had mechanical issues ? Maybe….although showing up with a bike in good working order is part of what makes a champion. Schulz was solid all week long and rode hard to extend her margin and secure her victory upon the return to Anchorage. Morales Avila meanwhile, showed she has some “skills on the hills”, finishing ahead of Luke in to Nenana and just 18 minutes behind Schulz on the stage…a solid effort for the only rookie in the women’s race. It was good to see some great women’s racing for the second year in a row, and also good to know that Schulz finally has that elusive 1st-placed gold pan on her mantle!
New this year, was an HCC1 category, designed to recognize the “non-kneeling” athletes not classified as HCB. The category was very competitive, with Scott Davidson (Harrison Township, MI) taking the overall win in front of his friend Joe Dowling of Old Greenwich, CT. Both Davidson and Dowling just returned from London where they represented U.S. Handcycling at races associated with the Tour de France kickoff in the UK.
Paul Nunnari of Australia turned in yet another dominating performance in the wheelchair category, besting many handcylists in the process, as well as finishing atop a field of 5 wheelchairs, the largest in 10 years.
Another big plus for this year’s race, was the inclusion of six Alaskan racers, all of whom had great results. The winner of the “Speedy Sourdough” or “Fastest Alaskan” prize was Mark Hufford, who has returned after a few years off from illness and injury, to prove that he is a racer to be reckoned with…and not just in Alaska. Huffored will likely compete at some races in the lower 48 next season in the HCB class. Edwin Jones of Anchorage put in an impressive ride as well, competing for the first time in a handcycle (he had previously competed in a wheelchair) and finishing 3rd in the HCC1 class. Meanwhile, Brant Schalk of Fairbanks and Rick Gilliland of Kenai came out of nowhere to showcase some great fitness and represent for their home state. Finally, Larry Coutermarsh of North Pole, AK proved he could do the race for a 23rd time with plenty of style.
Full results can be found HERE, and check back soon on this post for some photos.
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