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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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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