Looking for the standings ? You can find them HERE.
Team Invacare's Scott McNeice, and Mansfield Ohio's David Randall (PVA) came out as overall winners in their respective categories for the 2008 U.S. Handcycling Series.
McNeice won by virtue of very consistent finishes all season long, and got a little help from Oz Sanchez, who -- while preparing for the Paralympics at the Olympic Training Center -- was not able not attend the season finale in Indianapolis. McNeice won the opening race of year: a hill climb in Redlands, CA and after not making to the team for Beijing, is happy to have the series title under his belt. Sanchez, dominated the series, and is likely disappointed to finish 2nd after winning most races he entered this year.
David Randall also showed some great consistency in the longseat category, finishing in the front group in every race he did, as well as performing very well in time trials all season long. Randall's friend and season-long rival, Brian Mitchell, finished a very close second. Mitchell was the late season standout, winning the finale in Indy in very convincing fashion, but he did not race the Athens Twilight Criterium, which put him just a few points shy of Randall for the overall win. The longseat category showcased tremendous racing all season long, with close finishes, team tacticts, and different winners each weekend. Quickie's Rafael Ibarra managed to be a player all year long and squeaked out a National RR title back in June at the RMO, while Todd Richardson battled early summer woes to finish strong as well.
The new 45+ and 55+ categories were very popular this season, and Rick Gilliland was the surprise winner in the 45+ after Rafael Ibarra (who had sewn up the title) requested to be scored in the longseat overall. Gilliand -- who is from Kenai, Alaska -- showed good form early on and dedicated himself to geting fitter and faster after his first Sadler's Ultra Challenge in 2007. In the 55+ there was tremendous racing, and some impressive fitness from some of our most experienced racers. Georgia's LaVern Achenbach proved he is still tough as nails by easily winning the 55+ category, and putting the hurt on many of the younger racers as well. Joe Dowling (Old Greenwich, CT) -- who will be 70 next year -- gave his best to stay in Achenbach's rearview mirror, and proved you can still race your bike (and look good doing it) at any age.
The women's category saw a bit of a resurgence, with Monica Bascio coming back from a broken leg in February to win at RMO (and the overall), with Alician Dana making a return to racing as well. Both Dana and Bascio now have young children, so it's great to see them back racing after starting a family. Another Mom, Carly Waugh, showed well at her first series race in Indy, while Tricia Downing looked pretty good at RMO. Also look out for Ericka Davis, who represented for the women in Redlands, and will be racing more events next season. Davis will attend the 2008 Development Camp at the OTC, where she will get some tips from Bascio.
Last, but not least, the Quad category showed there is some great racing to be had, with James Watson taking the overall. Like McNeice and Randall, Watson was very consistent overall and proved to be the man for the title, ahead of 2nd-placed Harold (Leon) Bostick. In contrast, Bostick is a bit more inconsistent, but can pull out some great one day performances, including an impressive road race title at the RMO.
Full results of the series can be found HERE.
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