The BISSELL Elite Team has had an exceptional month of racing throughout the Midwest where they have dominated races on the road and in the dirt. The team leads the team classification in the MBRA Michigan Challenge.
On May 22nd, the team faced off at the West Branch Classic Road Race which is a great addition to Michigan racing. The 2nd annual West Branch RR is a tough 88 mile race including 4 laps of a 22 mile course surrounding the Ogemaw Hills area. The extremely rolling course features over 1100ft. of climbing per lap with numerous climbs of ½ mile to ¾ mile at 3-5% grade. The uphill finish is 1.25 miles at 5% grade with a kick up to 8-11% grade over the last 700 meters. Ben Whitehead finished 2nd in this very difficult race with Derek Graham beating out the field for 4th.
Over memorial weekend Derek Witte and Derek Graham ventured to Iowa and Illinois and lined up against the pros at the Snake Alley Criterium and the Quad Cities Criterium. The Snake Alley Criterium is held on a fifteen block course, with differences in elevation from 555 feet to 678 feet. The course is entirely on city streets, and a one block long climb is on the historic brick street named Snake Alley, dubbed "the crookedest street in the world." The 276 foot long Snake Alley has 5 switchbacks in a sixty foot climb. The average grade is 12.5 percent in that one block. Derek Graham was one of the few finishers in this race that started with a field of 120. Despite a bad start position and dropping a chain, Derek made the lead group and finished 14th. The winner of the race was the Ukrainian National Champion. Next on the schedule, DW and DG took on the Quad Cities Criterium in Rock Island, Illinois. The crit is set one block from the Mississippi River and includes a flat, fast 3/4 mile hour glass shaped course. DW won the field sprint and placed 2nd in the Masters race.
Back in Michigan, the rest of the team celebrated their memorial weekend by dominating the Tour de Frankenmuth. The men faced off for 5 laps on a 25 kilometer loop through the scenic farm lands surrounding Frankenmuth with an exciting downtown sprint finish on Main Street. Jason Swiatlowski won the race after an amazing team effort from everyone. The team took care of pro, Jake Rytlewski, and placed Jason in the winning break from which he sprinted for victory.
On June 13th, the full team took on the 106 mile Mt. Pleasant Road Race. The team defended their title and Nate Williams went on to claim the second largest purse in Michigan racing. Scott Stewart (Team Type 1), Vince Roberge (Team Panther), and up-and-coming rider, Ryan Cross (Wolverine), fought hard but Nate handled the small group perfectly to take the win.
On Saturday, Derek Graham put forth an amazing effort on the dirt to finish 3rd in the Lumberjack 100 which is the third round in the National Ultra-Endurance (NUE) series. Soon after the race hit the dirt, a group of 4 including DG formed. After the group had secured a strong lead, Derek suffered a mechanical. This dropped him well back into the field; however, Derek continued to fight his way back. He regained much of what was lost to finish 3rd.
This weekend, Derek Graham, Jason Swiatlowski, Ben Whitehead, Nate Williams, Jimmi Minnema and Derek Witte will venture north to line up against the best in Michigan at the Superior Bike Fest – State Road Championships. Friday night’s crit includes a hill which has been a decisive point in the past. The team’s plan is to go to the front and gradually whittle down the field to 5 or 6 riders. It is a good course for a lead out”, says Witte, “so the last few riders left at the front will set up the best sprinter.” For Saturday’s road race, the team hopes to have at least 2 BISSELL riders in the break. Witte talks about the importance of staying open for changing race dynamics. “Our plan will be for one of the 2 riders to have some kind of a finishing kick. But, sometimes you need to take what the race gives you”. The final day’s circuit race will depend on what’s going on in the overall.
The BISSELL Elite Team has had an outstanding season and will certainly continue to be a dominating force in Michigan racing.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Barry-Roubaix Report
from Derek Graham
On March 28 Nate Williams and I lined up with 700 others at the start of the Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race. This is just the second year for this event and it is already the third largest bicycle race in Michigan. The fact that this is the first race of the year and it appeals to roadies, mountain bikers and cyclocross racers alike has made it very popular. That and the promoter, Rick Plite, always puts on fun races with a laid back atmosphere.
The elite race was 65 miles of dirt roads, rough two-track and a few miles of paved roads with 4,400 feet of climbing (that's a lot for Michigan). The start was a neutral roll out from a state park on Gun Lake under the escort of the Barry County sheriff. The key point in the race is a section of unmaintained, sandy fire road about five miles into the course. I made sure to come into this section at the front of the pack so I could pick my own lines through the sand pits and ruts. The majority of the racers were riding cyclocross bikes and narrow 'cross tires. After training on dirt roads for the past few winters I have come to the conclusion that wider tires are much faster on anything rougher that pavement. So, this year I rode a 29" wheel mountain bike with 1.9" wide tires. This gave me a big advantage on this section of road, so I took the lead and kept a high pace and when we exited the woods there were only two other riders with me; Mike Anderson and Tristan Schouten.
We kept the pace up and quickly had over a minute lead. Near the end of the first of two 32 mile laps Tristan flatted and was out of the race. Mike and I pushed on and when we entered the two-track section at the start of the second lap I took advantage of my mountain bike, lifted the pace and was able to open up a big gap. I was feeling good so I committed and rode the last 30 miles solo for the win, finishing 2:18 ahead of second place.
The Barry-Roubaix is a unique event and a lot of fun. It is only going to get bigger and better in the coming years. I'm looking forward to coming back next year to try and bring home the gravel trophy again! Check out the photos and results here.
On March 28 Nate Williams and I lined up with 700 others at the start of the Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race. This is just the second year for this event and it is already the third largest bicycle race in Michigan. The fact that this is the first race of the year and it appeals to roadies, mountain bikers and cyclocross racers alike has made it very popular. That and the promoter, Rick Plite, always puts on fun races with a laid back atmosphere.The elite race was 65 miles of dirt roads, rough two-track and a few miles of paved roads with 4,400 feet of climbing (that's a lot for Michigan). The start was a neutral roll out from a state park on Gun Lake under the escort of the Barry County sheriff. The key point in the race is a section of unmaintained, sandy fire road about five miles into the course. I made sure to come into this section at the front of the pack so I could pick my own lines through the sand pits and ruts. The majority of the racers were riding cyclocross bikes and narrow 'cross tires. After training on dirt roads for the past few winters I have come to the conclusion that wider tires are much faster on anything rougher that pavement. So, this year I rode a 29" wheel mountain bike with 1.9" wide tires. This gave me a big advantage on this section of road, so I took the lead and kept a high pace and when we exited the woods there were only two other riders with me; Mike Anderson and Tristan Schouten.
We kept the pace up and quickly had over a minute lead. Near the end of the first of two 32 mile laps Tristan flatted and was out of the race. Mike and I pushed on and when we entered the two-track section at the start of the second lap I took advantage of my mountain bike, lifted the pace and was able to open up a big gap. I was feeling good so I committed and rode the last 30 miles solo for the win, finishing 2:18 ahead of second place.
The Barry-Roubaix is a unique event and a lot of fun. It is only going to get bigger and better in the coming years. I'm looking forward to coming back next year to try and bring home the gravel trophy again! Check out the photos and results here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Cherry-Roubaix Criterium
Race Report by Derek Graham:
The Cherry-Roubaix Criterium is held on a flat 6 turn course in downtown Traverse City. The weather this year was very wet and cold, which made the course slippery and technical. Most of the turns had changes in surface type; asphalt to brick, brick to concrete, brick crosswalks, etc. The race was short so we knew it was going to be fast and aggressive. Right from the start Cory Durbish (Wolverine) took off solo and started gaining time on the field. The pack was chasing, but going much slower through the wet corners. A few laps in I attacked coming out of turn one. I found that I could go a lot faster than the pack since I could see better and pick the fastest line. I also had 23mm tubular tires at only 90 psi and was getting decent traction. Over the next three laps I bridged to the Wolverine rider and we worked together, gaining time on the field. Then Cory slipped on one of the painted lines on the road and almost went down. He sat up and I raced on alone. A few laps later Daniel Lam caught me. He was a good replacement for Cory, taking hard pulls on the windy section of the course. We sprinted for a few premes which I was easily winning. Meanwhile Jason had attacked what was left of the field and was riding across to us solo. In the last few laps we lapped and passed Jimi. On the final lap Jimi caught up to us and went straight to the front to lead out the sprint. He kept the pace high until about 400 meters to go where I attacked just before the final turn and held the lead to the finish. The BISSELL/ABG team ended up taking 1st, 3rd, 6th and most of the day's premes.
The Cherry-Roubaix Criterium is held on a flat 6 turn course in downtown Traverse City. The weather this year was very wet and cold, which made the course slippery and technical. Most of the turns had changes in surface type; asphalt to brick, brick to concrete, brick crosswalks, etc. The race was short so we knew it was going to be fast and aggressive. Right from the start Cory Durbish (Wolverine) took off solo and started gaining time on the field. The pack was chasing, but going much slower through the wet corners. A few laps in I attacked coming out of turn one. I found that I could go a lot faster than the pack since I could see better and pick the fastest line. I also had 23mm tubular tires at only 90 psi and was getting decent traction. Over the next three laps I bridged to the Wolverine rider and we worked together, gaining time on the field. Then Cory slipped on one of the painted lines on the road and almost went down. He sat up and I raced on alone. A few laps later Daniel Lam caught me. He was a good replacement for Cory, taking hard pulls on the windy section of the course. We sprinted for a few premes which I was easily winning. Meanwhile Jason had attacked what was left of the field and was riding across to us solo. In the last few laps we lapped and passed Jimi. On the final lap Jimi caught up to us and went straight to the front to lead out the sprint. He kept the pace high until about 400 meters to go where I attacked just before the final turn and held the lead to the finish. The BISSELL/ABG team ended up taking 1st, 3rd, 6th and most of the day's premes.
DG Crushes Cherry Roubaix field to make wine of the competition (or is it whine(...rs)?)
Race Report by Ben Whitehead:
72 mile road race
The 6 lap hilly course was perfect for team Bissell. Not so perfect for the rest of the Michigan field, which only less than half showed up, due to the threatening course. Anyway, the competition that mattered was in full force, including former teammate and U23 star Larry (Lil'Larry) Warbasse (Waste Management), who's training stomping ground is the exact circuit included in the road race. The first lap was tame due to the field feeling out the challenging course. Near the start of the second lap, DG attacked solo and stayed away for two full laps before being brought back by an organized effort by the top riders in the field. Ben countered the move with Daniel Lam (TBS Racing, CA) and stayed away until the beginning of the final lap. A few miles later Nate and Ben went up the road with a few riders to take pressure off our favorites. Unfortunately, the move contained Lil'Larry, who was fully motivated and soloed away from his breakmates on the KOM, half way into the final lap. DG charged after him solo only to be swept up by the field a few miles later with Larry still holding a 40 second advantage. Team Bissell charged to the front and swept up Larry just before the final climb to the finish. DG initiated the charge to the line with Larry on his wheel and easily held him off in the power sprint. Other top finishes on the day were Jason (4) and Jimi (7).
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The BISSELL/ABG Elite Team at the West Branch Classic
Race Report by Jason Swiatlowski:
Based on the promoters course description of the first running of the West Branch Classic and the drive to the course start in the morning that gave everyone a good look at the finishing climb, I think most of the pro I II starters might have been a little intimidated by the 90 miles that were to looming. Those factors did not deter the Bissell/ABG team however. Tim Farnham was the first of the teams squad to launch a series of attacks into the first headwind section on lap one of four. He was successful in breaking a small group of three free with only 20 miles in the books. On the ensuing lap, some solo attempts were put on by other strong regional team members of Waste Management and the Panthers squad but to no avail. Late in lap two, the rest of the Bissell/ABG team felt confident in letting another small group of three slip away which contained BISSELL's strongman Derek Graham. As the remainder of the Bissell/ABG team covered several small chases that ensued in lap three, Ben Whitehead was able to go clear with one of the Panther team riders in the headwind section which was becoming more of a factor as the race wore on. With one lap to go and three very capable riders up the road, the remainder of the team including Jimi Minnema and Nate Williams who were still nursing early season injuries were content to control the field's attempts to organize a chase. In the final lap all but five of the eight riders up the road where picked up by the remainder of the field. Tim Farnham stayed off all day to take the win while Derek Graham rode a good portion of the last two laps solo and finished third. Ben Whitehead was able to hold off all but one rider from the field who broke free just before the final climb to finish fifth and Jason Swiatlowski was feeling well enough to finish second in the ensuing field sprint to finish seventh overall. With four riders in the top seven the Bissell/ABG squad were very content with the days efforts.
Based on the promoters course description of the first running of the West Branch Classic and the drive to the course start in the morning that gave everyone a good look at the finishing climb, I think most of the pro I II starters might have been a little intimidated by the 90 miles that were to looming. Those factors did not deter the Bissell/ABG team however. Tim Farnham was the first of the teams squad to launch a series of attacks into the first headwind section on lap one of four. He was successful in breaking a small group of three free with only 20 miles in the books. On the ensuing lap, some solo attempts were put on by other strong regional team members of Waste Management and the Panthers squad but to no avail. Late in lap two, the rest of the Bissell/ABG team felt confident in letting another small group of three slip away which contained BISSELL's strongman Derek Graham. As the remainder of the Bissell/ABG team covered several small chases that ensued in lap three, Ben Whitehead was able to go clear with one of the Panther team riders in the headwind section which was becoming more of a factor as the race wore on. With one lap to go and three very capable riders up the road, the remainder of the team including Jimi Minnema and Nate Williams who were still nursing early season injuries were content to control the field's attempts to organize a chase. In the final lap all but five of the eight riders up the road where picked up by the remainder of the field. Tim Farnham stayed off all day to take the win while Derek Graham rode a good portion of the last two laps solo and finished third. Ben Whitehead was able to hold off all but one rider from the field who broke free just before the final climb to finish fifth and Jason Swiatlowski was feeling well enough to finish second in the ensuing field sprint to finish seventh overall. With four riders in the top seven the Bissell/ABG squad were very content with the days efforts.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Kensington Race Re-cap
Race Report by Ben Whitehead:
This was one of the best tactical races we've had. We sent 2 riders in the early break, which were me, Tim & one Essex Brass rider. The break formed about a 2 minute mid-race advantage. A chase group finally formed, which also contained 3 Bissell riders - Derek Graham, Sheldon & Nate Williams, who all enjoyed a free trip to Tim & I. After catching us with about 15 miles to go, the stronger riders started the attacks, finally ending up with Derek, Sheldon & former elite national road champion Paul Martin and his teammate (panther racing?). Staying fresh & smart in the chase group allowed Derek to out sprint the champ for the W !!!
This was one of the best tactical races we've had. We sent 2 riders in the early break, which were me, Tim & one Essex Brass rider. The break formed about a 2 minute mid-race advantage. A chase group finally formed, which also contained 3 Bissell riders - Derek Graham, Sheldon & Nate Williams, who all enjoyed a free trip to Tim & I. After catching us with about 15 miles to go, the stronger riders started the attacks, finally ending up with Derek, Sheldon & former elite national road champion Paul Martin and his teammate (panther racing?). Staying fresh & smart in the chase group allowed Derek to out sprint the champ for the W !!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Barry-Roubaix Gravel Road Race
Race Report by Derek Graham
I rode in the Barry-Roubaix gravel road race on March 28 in Barry County, Michigan. The course was two laps of 31 miles of hilly dirt roads with about 4 miles of paved roads at the end of the lap. There was also a 2 mile section of fire road about 5 miles in that was really rough with deep sand pits.
Jason and I lined up with about 40 other starters. A mix roadies and mountain bikers on a variety of equipment, including a very fit Mike Simonson from the Gary Fisher mountain bike team. The group stayed together until we hit the fire road, where Simonson accelerated up one of the hills. I followed him over the top and hit a sand pit where my 30 mm cyclocross tires dug in and I almost came to stop, stuck in my big chainring. Mike was flying away on his 29er mountain bike with 2" tires. When we exited the rough fire road I was chasing him alone about 30 seconds back.
Half way through the first lap a group of four was coming up behind me so I waited, thinking we could work together to chase down Simonson. Three of the riders were suffering and not helping so I pushed the pace up one of the longer climbs and dropped them, taking the one stronger guy with me. We worked well together, but weren't closing in on the leader. Because of the tough course this race was unfolding more like a mountain bike cross country and less like a road race. I decided we were probably going to be racing for second, so the next time up the fire road I dropped him and rode the last lap alone finishing about 4 and half minutes behind Simonson.
This was one of the hardest races I have done in a long time. The early date and the long Michigan winter made it especially chalenging. Rick Plite, the promoter, did a great job with the event and it sounds like he has plans to make it bigger and better next year. I will definitely be back, but on a mountain bike next time.
I rode in the Barry-Roubaix gravel road race on March 28 in Barry County, Michigan. The course was two laps of 31 miles of hilly dirt roads with about 4 miles of paved roads at the end of the lap. There was also a 2 mile section of fire road about 5 miles in that was really rough with deep sand pits.
Jason and I lined up with about 40 other starters. A mix roadies and mountain bikers on a variety of equipment, including a very fit Mike Simonson from the Gary Fisher mountain bike team. The group stayed together until we hit the fire road, where Simonson accelerated up one of the hills. I followed him over the top and hit a sand pit where my 30 mm cyclocross tires dug in and I almost came to stop, stuck in my big chainring. Mike was flying away on his 29er mountain bike with 2" tires. When we exited the rough fire road I was chasing him alone about 30 seconds back.
Half way through the first lap a group of four was coming up behind me so I waited, thinking we could work together to chase down Simonson. Three of the riders were suffering and not helping so I pushed the pace up one of the longer climbs and dropped them, taking the one stronger guy with me. We worked well together, but weren't closing in on the leader. Because of the tough course this race was unfolding more like a mountain bike cross country and less like a road race. I decided we were probably going to be racing for second, so the next time up the fire road I dropped him and rode the last lap alone finishing about 4 and half minutes behind Simonson.
This was one of the hardest races I have done in a long time. The early date and the long Michigan winter made it especially chalenging. Rick Plite, the promoter, did a great job with the event and it sounds like he has plans to make it bigger and better next year. I will definitely be back, but on a mountain bike next time.
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