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.

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).