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Brighthouse Networks Marion Classic - NE
Marion, Indiana, USA, August 9, 2008
Howard brothers steal the show
By Paddy Kilmurray in Marion, Indiana
Bissell Pro Cycling rider Steven Howard managed to capitalize on an attack from his brother Graham in the closing stages of the Marion Classic in order to hold off sprinters Chad Burdzilaukas (Texas Roadhouse) and Hayden Godfrey (Team Inferno) to take victory.
"I knew when my brother attacked with three to go I had to follow", said Howard. "We managed to get a gap on the lead out train of Texas Roadhouse and were able to work together to maintain it, I knew with 500 metres to go that I had to go solo in order to hold off the field."
Marion, Indiana, north of Indianapolis, played host to a field of more than 100 riders on a flat but very technical eight corner criterium. The speed of the race was evident from the start, with the field remaining single file for the majority of the afternoon.
"I felt great, we knew that we would have to surprise the larger teams in the last five laps, as we had a much smaller squad and weren't able to lead it out," said Howard. "I am very pleased that our move worked, it was a risk but something that was done on instinct."
While the lead out trains of Texas Roadhouse and Inferno looked at each other in the closing stages, the Howard brothers were able to work efficiently on the flat technical course in order to keep the fast finishing field at bay.
"It was a surprise," said Texas Roadhouse sprinter Burdzilauskas. "Coming into the final couple of corners Hayden and I were looking at each other to chase, but the gap was too large and we were forced to fight for the remaining places. The team worked great, we had the bunch single file in the remaining laps, but the Howard boys were obviously too strong".
Whilst Howard crossed the line solo, what was left of the field sprinted for the remaining places. The race also featured the comeback of Australian Karl Menzies (HealthNet-Maxxis) from injury, which has forced him out of racing since the Philadelphia International in June. Menzies was active throughout the race looking for a breakaway, but opted to stay out of the field sprint, and save his legs for tomorrow. Saturday's race features another technical criterium and another large purse which should see another aggressive race.
Results
Elite men 1 Steven Howard (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) 2 Chad Burdzilauskas (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team) 3 Hayden Godfrey (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 4 Thomas Soladay (TIME Pro Cycling) 5 Facundo Bazzi (Aerocat/Latino Cycling Team) 8 Andrew Crater (Team Wheel & Sprocket) 9 James Baldesare (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 10 Christopher Uberti (Turin Bicycle/Barker+Nestor) 11 Marco Aledia (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 12 Ryan Knapp (Alderfer Bergen) 13 Mike Sherer (Alderfer Bergen) 14 Jeffrey Schroetlin (ABD/Gear Grinder Cycling) 15 Bennet Van Der Genugten (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 16 Aaron Hubbell (NUVO Cultural Trail) 17 Morgan Schmitt (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) 18 Robert White (ABD/Gear Grinder Cycling) 19 Derek Graham (Athletic Mentors Cycling Club) 20 Ryan White (ABD/Gear Grinder Cycling) 21 Daniel Campbell (RGF Solutions Cycling Team) 22 Tom Burke (West Michigan Coast Riders) 23 Rich Harper (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 24 David Williams (Priority Health U23 Team) 25 Jonathan Jacob 26 John Doyle (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) 27 Tom Hanley (MOB Squad - U Build IT) 28 Andy Moskal (RGF Solutions Cycling Team) 29 Todd Cornelius (Indiana Hand Center) 30 David Stone (Lucas Oil Cycling) 31 Jeremy Grimm (RGF Solutions Cycling Team) 32 Derek Witte (Bissell Masters/Elite) 33 Graham Howard (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) 34 Brett Stewart (ABD/Gear Grinder Cycling) 35 Kirk Albers (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team) 36 Josh England (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 37 Jeff Braumberger (Team Inferno Pro Cycling) 38 Derek Laan (Turin Bicycle/Barker+Nestor) Women 1 Kendi Thomas (Team Revolution) 2 Krystal Lacy-Mcnutt (Team Kenda Tire) 3 Elizabeth Freudenberger (TEAM AWESOME / JENI'S ICE CREAM) 4 Brooke Crum (Team Columbus) 5 Jennifer Greenberg 6 Diana Schowe (DRT Racing) 7 Pamela Loebig (Team Revolution) 8 Rita Klofta (Depauw U Cycling) 9 Diane Kaeser 10 Julie Bembenista (TEAM TORTUGA) 11 Natalie Carroll 12 Kristina Heath 13 Anna Sklorenko (MARIAN COLLEGE) 14 Erin Whitmore (Unattached) 15 Anne Young (Hammerhead Racing) 16 Kristen Metherd 17 Erin Axley 18 Elaine Ferrell Cat 3 1 Ren-Jay Shei (TEAM TORTUGA CYCLING) 2 Clayton Feldman (Team WM) 3 Joseph Bosemer (BOLLA Cycling Team) 4 Ramon Vasquez (KOEHLINGER KELLEY) 5 Matthew Light (Alderfer Bergen) 6 Matthew Johnson (Alderfer Bergen) 7 Brett Lane (Team Mack Racing Assn) 8 Valentin Todorow (BLACK KEY BULLS CYCLING) 9 David Anderson (MOB Squad - U Build IT) 10 David Lewis (KELLY/KOEHOLINGER) 11 Timothy Hall (3rvs/Koehlinger/Kelly) 12 Eric Johnson (USA PISTA ELITE) 13 Dan Loescher (Team Louisville) 14 Douglas Green (WALKER COMPANIES - OLYMPUS HOMES) 15 Devin Hurst (Savage Hill Cycling Team) 16 Joshua Prater (MOB Squad - U Build IT) 17 Blayne Roeder (Some Guys Cycling) 18 Matt Jones (USA PISTA ELITE) 19 James Kruse (3rvs/Koehlinger/Kelly) 20 Chad Salla (Alderfer Bergen) 21 Aaron Bobinsky 22 John Moore (Team Dayton Bicycling) 23 Rob Rhodes (Walker Companies-Olympus Homes) 24 Jason Mygrant 25 Alan Alderfer (Alderfer Bergen) 26 Joey Iuliano (TURIN/BARKER+NESTOR) 27 Cliff Kugler Cat 4 1 Matt Neibler 2 William Sherman 3 Taylor Gaines (TEAM TORTUGA) 4 Mark Damschroder (ST. JAMES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH) 5 Stan Huffman (Team Abundance) 6 Zachary Steever (Team Abundance) 7 Brad Mccracken (DRT Racing) 8 Brian Milburn 9 Naveen John 10 Todd Steiner 11 M. Shayne Dillinger (Team IPro) 12 Kaleb Naegeli (IC3) 13 Joseph Schurger 14 Kenneth Risher (MOB Squad - U Build IT) 15 James Heth (REDDING VELO) Cat 5 1 Francisco Jimenez (DRT RACING) 2 Joe Gehlhausen 3 David Poole 4 Peter Gray (Miami Flyers) 5 Kirk Weesner 6 Scott Myers (Team Dayton Bicycling) 7 Alexander Frist 8 Luke Weber (COLAVITA OHIO CYCLING) 9 Stephen Smith 10 Andrew Otte 11 Jeff Basile
