TDG - Firsthand Account of the Race

on 04-21-2006 02:57

Tour de Georgia- Unofficial Results
Wed, April 19, 2006
Rome, GA Criterium (20 mins + 2 laps)

1.Krige Schabort, Cedartown, GA
2.John Scott Gilger, Ohio
3.Todd Richardson, Raleigh, NC
4.Rafael Ibarra, Atlanta, GA
5.Derek Little , Cartersville, GA

6.Warren Strickland, Grayson, LA
7.Chad Johnson Charleston, IN
8. Bob Anders, Cedartown, GA
9. Leland Foster, Ohio

The first event of the 2006 AHS finally got underway after a delay due to inclement weather. It turned out to be great for the fans who stuck around after the men’s pro stage 3 finish [won by Yaroslav Popovych of Team Discovery]. Krige Schabort, a local favorite, won the event with an exciting sprint to the finish with John Scott Gilger, to the delight of the crowd! Todd Richardson would come in third followed closely by Rafael Ibarra and Derek Little.During the first eight minutes of the criterium, a pack of eight racers jockeyed for position, with no one really wanting to take a pull at the front. Todd Richardson finally took the initiative and went to the front and upped the pace to about 19-20 mph followed by Rafael Ibarra. The increased pace separated the lead pack from Strickland, Johnson, Anders and Foster. The lead pack would stay the same for the race with newcomer, Derek Little, taking a lot of pulls on the front. In the end end, Krige Schabort prevailed.

Thanks again to the city of Rome, GA for including the 2nd annual TDG handcycling event. TDG in Rome, GA is looking more promising for 2007 as the city and race directors have really welcomed us and looks to add to the excitement of handcycling.

Warren A. Strickland, Jr. MS Ed.