Hekman finds form, gives TOSHIBA-Santo a win at Iron Hill
(July 6, 2008)
Report filed by USA CRITS
TOSHIBA-Santo strongman Mark Hekman has once again found the form he displayed in 2007, by winning Saturday’s 4th annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Hekman, who held the lead the 2007 USA CRITS Series until a crash at Downers Grove ended his pursuit of the title, lapped this year’s Iron Hill field with 20 laps remaining in the race.
“I got away on the 10th lap and just crushed it." Hekman said. "This is a really technical course with the hill on the back side and I thought I was going to die.”
A few days prior to Iron Hill, Hekman opted to change out his chain set to a 54-toothed ring that he felt made a difference in helping him power away from the competition on a warm, humid Pennsylvania day. With Hekman showing no signs of weakening over the 60-lap effort, on the 1-km course, the other riders were forced to contest the remaining two places on the podium.
Those duties fell to Hekman’s teammate and last year’s USA CRITS overall champion Frank Travieso. Travieso made a bid for a cash prime and never looked back. Alongside Travieso was TIME Pro Cycling’s David Guttenplan. The pair made their move with 15 laps to go, and it would be the last time the field would see them until the finish line, where Guttenplan would finish just ahead of Travieso for the second spot on the podium and the TOSHIBA riding settling for third.
That third place, however, would also translate to a significant improvement in the race for the overall USA CRITS title. With Rock Racing’s Rahsaan Bahati not participating in the West Chester leg of the Series, Travieso now moves into second place, and teammate Yosvany Falcon (who finished in the 10th place on the day) captures the series lead. Third place is now in possession of veteran sprinter Adam Myerson of TIME Pro Cycling.
In the women’s race, an aggressive group of riders split the field. Once that situation had been firmly established, all attempts by members of the leading group were shut down by the strong composition of the field. Pennsylvania native Erica Allar (Aaron’s), Canadian National Road Race Champion Gina Grain, and Vanderkitten’s Leigh Valetti were all showing great strength throughout, as was Valetti’s teammate Jennifer Wilson.
The end of the 40 plus lap race would have to come down to a field sprint, and it was Juice Plus/NC Racing’s Laura McCaughey who beat out Tibco’s Sarah Caravella for the victory. The Tasmanian track champion celebrated her win in front of an estimated crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators.
Wilson’s efforts throughout the race would not go unrewarded, however. Although the Vanderkitten rider finished in 6th place in West Chester, she amassed enough points to take the overall lead on the women’s side of the USA CRITS competition.
With six events remaining, the USA CRITS Series now heads even farther north for the BC Cancer Foundation's Tour de Gastown on July 16th. The 1.2 km Gastown course will see the USA CRITS field competing for more than $15,000 in cash prizes.
About USA CRITS
USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information, visit www.usacrits.com.
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