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.