Wichita CycleFest TT, Criterium and Omnium overall

on 05-06-2008 22:38

Time Trial Recap, By Brian Mitchell and James Watson

The Wichita Kansas Cyclefest Time Trial started in sunny and cool morning. The Wizard…Oz Sanchez put up mystifying performance and easily won the Kneeseat Division, while simultaneously smashing the old handcycle division course record. Oz averaged 23.61 mph on this flat fast TT course. Based upon Oz’s performance in the Georgia and Kansas TTs this year, Oz can definitely be considered a TT specialist. There is some speculation amongst the handcyclists that Oz might even be able to dethrone longstanding King Alejandro Albor in the TT event.

Longseat TT specialist David Randall won the Longseat Division TT even though he had some trouble negotiating the narrow turnaround on the out and back 15K TT course. David averaged 20.29 mph.

James Watson got back on track and won the QUAD Division TT leaving a CRIT showdown between he and yesterdays RR winner Wayne Romero to see who takes Overall 1^st Place in the QUAD Division.

Local handcyclists Jennifer Kreutzer placed 1^st in the Womens Open Handcycle Division.

TT times for the 15K course are listed below.

Kneeseat Oz Sanchez—CA 23:38 23.61 mph
Longseat David Randall—OH 27:30 20.29 mph
Longseat Brian Mitchell—MO 27:41
Kneeseat Gerard Ah-Fook—WA 31:24
Longseat Jan Mattern—TX 32:26
Longseat Dennis Clark—TN 33:51
Longseat Tom Kahler—TN 37:34
Kneeseat Everitt Ross—KS 42:23
Longseat Mark Stever—KS 44:12
QUAD James Watson—KS 44:47
QUAD Wayne Romero—KS 48:35
Longseat Jeff Johnston—MO 49:46
QUAD Dale Pausewang—KS 56:18
Longseat Grady Landrum—KS 1:02:18
Womens Jennifer Kreutzer—KS 1:05:39
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Criterium Showdown,By Brian Mitchell and James Watson

The Wichita Kansas Cyclefest CRIT started in sunny 65 weather with a head wind on the back stretch.

Oz Sanchez easily won the Kneeseat Division. Gerard Ah-Fook and Everitt Ross to

Brian Mitchell and David Randall played cat and mouse on the CRIT course from beginning to end. Mitchell pulled out every racing tactic in his book and attacked Randall multiple times over the entire CRIT course. Randall answered each time not letting Mitchell get away. In the end, Mitchell won the Longseat Division in a sprint to the finish. “Those two are fun to watch. “They are always challenging each other!” comented Rebecca Strickert, a representative of Wheelchair Sports Inc..

Jan Mattern and Gerard Ah-Fook worked well together over most of the CRIT course even catching but failing to beat cat and mouser Randall and Mitchell. Gerard pulled away narrowly beating Jan at the finish.

The QUAD Division saw James Watson and Wayne Romero battling it out for the CRIT and Overall QUAD Division 1^st Place. Working together with Everitt Ross for the first few laps Wayne dropped back after the 6^th lap leaving Watson to run with Ross. Shortly Ross dropped back as well. Watson cruised in to win the QUAD Division CRIT and QUAD Division Overall. Apparently Romero burned himself out waxing Watson the RR and just didn’t recover enough to challenge Watson in the TT or CRIT. “The target is on your back again now buddy” said Romero to Watson in response to a similar comment by Watson after the road race. The two train together regularly.

CRIT Placements are as follows:
Kneeseat Oz Sanchez—CA
Longseat Brian Mitchell—MO
Longseat David Randall—OH
Kneeseat Gerard Ah-Fook—WA
Longseat Jan Mattern—TX
Longseat Dennis Clark—TN
Longseat Tom Kahler—TN
QUAD James Watson—KS
QUAD Wayne Romero—KS
Kneeseat Everitt Ross—KS
QUAD Dale Pauswang—KS

Wichita Kansas Cyclefest Overall Placements were as follows:

Kneeseat Division
1^st Oz Sanchez
2^nd Gerard Ah-Fook
3^rd Everitt Ross

Longseat Division
1^st Brian Mitchell
2^nd David Randall
3^rd Jan Mattern

QUAD Division
1^st James Watson
2^nd Wayne Romero
3^rd Dale Pauswang

Womens Division
1^st Jennifer Kreutzer

Longseat Division 45-55 Age Group
1^st Tom Kahler

Longseat Division 55+ Age Group
1^st Dennis Clark

QUAD Division 45-55 Age Group
1^st James Watson

A special thanks goes out to Betsy Clark, a Tennesseer who graciously assumed photographic responsibilities and also to the volunteers who worked the event. Wheelchair Sports did a fantastic job organizing and holding the race.