Marcotte outsprints Pipp for victory at Thompson Doylestown Criterium

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On a picture perfect day for racing, Eric Marcotte (Elbowz Racing) outsprinted Frank Pipp (Bissell Pro Cycling) to take the win at the 9th Thompson Doylestown Criterium. Alexey Shmidt (Team Type 1 Devo) held off the rest of the break to round out the podium.

For the first few circuits, the peloton stayed together and began to set a blistering pace for what would be a fast and thrilling day of racing. Nine laps in Marcotte, Pipp and Shmidt were part of a six-man break who were able to get as much as a 17-second gap on the field but were caught a few laps later. With 21 laps to go, Marsh Cooper (Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies) and Tim Mitchell (CCB Racing) attempted a two man break. The pair was only able to get a 10-second gap on the field and were reeled in only 3 laps later.

The main turning point in the day’s action took place at about the halfway point in the race. A group of 10 riders attacked and were joined only one lap later by a small chase group. It would be this group of about 15 who would stay ahead for the remainder of the race. This group included Marcotte, Pip, Shmidt, Alex Candelario (Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), Cody O’Reilly (Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), Tyler Wren, (Jamis/Sutter Home), Mike Chauner (Pure Energy Cycling-ProAirHFA), Robin Carpenter (Chipolte/First Solar Devo) and Steve Fisher (Hagens Berman), Gabe Varela (Hagens Berman), Wes Klein (Bikereg.com/Cannondale), Pierrick Naud (Ekoi.com/Gaspesien). This group was able to slowly build their lead on the rest of the peloton from 15 seconds to 24, and then to 40 seconds until they were away for good.

With eight laps to go Steve Fisher attacked and was able maintain a solo break for a few laps as he attempted to gas the field setting up his teammate Gabe Varela for the finish. Fisher was caught with six to go. With three to go a six man break of Shmidt, Fisher, Marcotte, Naud, O’Reilly and Carpenter were able to build a 13-second lead. But this group was caught with one lap to go and it would all come down to the last lap and a sprint finish. Pipp turned it on with about 100 meters to go but it may have been too soon as Marcotte, the former US Masters National Champion, was able to catch him with 50 meters and pulled past him for the victory.

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