U.S. Handcycling Team member, Oz Sanchez (San Diego, CA), won a thrilling sprint finish with Chris Peterson at the Jacksonville Cycling Classic Criterium yesterday. Although Sanchez is currently regarded as one of the top American handcycle racers, Jacksonville was the first major victory of his career. “That was a tough race, but I knew I had it after the final turn!” said Sanchez following the win.
Matt Updike (Denver, CO) had a solid race, but the HCB rider couldn’t quite hang with the four kneelers in the front group that inluded Sanchez, Invacare’s Chris Peterson and Scott McNeice (looking solid at his first race in three years), along with women’s World Champion Monique Van der Vorst of Holland who came to Florida for some training, and to put the hurt on the American men’s field. Updike’s performance earned him 5th overall and he was of course the top HCB rider. Right behind Updike was the best-placed HCC1 rider, Rafael Ibarra (Atlanta, GA) who looked strong in his first event of the year.
Scott Rimmer of Daytona, FL came out on top of the HCA class after a great battle with former [wheelchair racing] Paralympian Burt Burns, while newcomers Keane West (Lake Placid, FL), Mike Sprouse (Rome, GA) and Jose Pudillo (Atlanta, GA) all turned in good looking performances in their respective categories along with 67-year-old racing veteran Joe Dowling (Greenwich, CT) who logged an impressive 10th-place overall. The event was a great success thanks event sponsor and organizer, Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports Program. “We only put this event together 3 months ago, and were very pleased with the turnout” said Alice Krauss, director of the program at Brooks.
The 9/10 mile course was flat with light wind, and the final turn was a sharp 90-degree, flat left-hander. Sanchez, fed-up with getting worked-over by Invacare teamwork (in the form of Peterson, McNeice and Van der Vorst), put the hammer down in the final lap with Peterson on his wheel in to the final turn. Sanchez let it all hang out in to the corner while Peterson hit the brakes and lost 3 feet. It was a drag race from there and Sanchez cruised across the line with the same gap he had earned on the turn. McNeice held on for 3rd while the flying dutch woman pulled-off an impressive 4th place overall. “That was a fun course, but I’m really waiting for the road race at the Tour de Georgia next Wednesday.” said Van der Vorst following the race.
Most of the field who competed in Jacksonville will make the drive to Rome, GA for a criterium on Tuesday and a road race on Wednesday sponsored by the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tags
