Schafer surprises in Spartanburg

Stefan Schafer (LKT-Team Brandenburg) celebrates his victory in stage three.

Stefan Schafer (LKT-Team Brandenburg) celebrates his victory in stage three. (Image credit: International Tour of Hellas)

German track rider Stefan Schafer (Maloja Pushbikers) charged to a solo win today in Spartanburg. The national madison champion attacked in the closing laps of the 70 lap race, gaining about 11 seconds before Astellas sensed the danger and began chasing. However it was too late, and Schafer barely held off the swarming field while Aldo Ilesic (Astellas) sprinted to second. Marcel Kalz (Maloja Pushbikers) rounded out an all European podium.

Daniel Holloway (Giant Racing), winner of the Spartanburg Criterium two years in a row, finished in fourth place.

"It was horribly hard," Schafer said after his win. "But this crowd was amazing to ride for. And their cheers kept me going. This is the best race I’ve ever done because of the crowd atmosphere. It’s amazing here, even better than last year. It’s so loud. It’s really great to race here."

120 riders took the start of the 4th race of the TUFMED USA CRITS Series that coincidentally had the same kind of neutralization as the women’s race. Again, a crash on the fourth lap caused a massive pileup and officials chose to stop the race so those affected could get mechanical help.

As the laps flew by, Maloja Pushbikers team were on the offensive, throwing attack after attack at the Astellas team, who were forced to respond, as their sprinter was Aldo Ilsec (Astellas) was the best placed rider in the Speedweek series present at Spartanburg at fourth place.

With 30 laps to go, Michael Stoop caught the field sleeping and set off solo. He pulled out a few meters advantage and spent a few laps away while Astellas, sensing the danger, formed at the front to pull him back in.

Schafer countered, then Christian Grassman, both from Maloja Pushbikers, pressuring Astellas constantly. Finally, Schafer made his winning move with less than 10 laps remaining and rode to an impressive win.

Full recap video:

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Stefan Schafer (Maloja Pushbikers)1:22:45
2Aldo Ilesic (Astellas Cycling Team)0:00:01
3Marcel Kalz (Maloja Pushbikers)0:00:01
4Daniel Holloway (Giant Racing powered by Intelligentsia)0:00:01
5Colton Brookshire (NCCF team specialized)0:00:02
6Christian Grasmann (Maloja Pushbikers)Row 5 - Cell 2
7Bobby Lea (Maloja Pushbikers)0:00:02
8Ed Veal (RealDeal/D'Ornellas p/b Garneau)0:00:02
9Quentin Valognes (Team Novo Nordisk)0:00:03
10Kevin Goguen0:00:03
11Ben Fredrick0:00:03
12Jose Frank Rodriguez (Stradalli - Safetti)0:00:03
13Zack Kratche (Pioneer Mortgage Funding)0:00:03
14Sam Rosenholtz (GREEN LINE VELO driven by Zipcar)0:00:04
15Ben Renkema (Team Finish Strong)Row 14 - Cell 2
16Adam Farabaugh (Support Clean Sport / SeaSucker / Guttenplan Coaching)0:00:04
17Enrique Lopez (Stradalli - Safetti)Row 16 - Cell 2
18Justin Meade (Team Finish Strong Elite Cycling Team)0:00:04
19Ryan Good (11elevencycling)0:00:04
20Hamza Eastman (Team Cocos)0:00:04
21Matt Moosa0:00:05
22Jacob White (Team Arapahoe Resources)0:00:05
23Andrew Dahlheim (Team Arapahoe Resources)Row 22 - Cell 2
24John Harris (GREEN LINE VELO driven by Zipcar)0:00:05
25Tom Gibbons (United Healthcare of Georgia p/b The 706 Project)0:00:05
26Martin Hacecky (Maloja Pushbikers)0:00:06
27Andy ReardonRow 26 - Cell 2
28Chad Hartley (Giant Racing powered by Intelligentsia)0:00:06
29Blake Anton (Team Clif Bar)0:00:06
30Matthew Salpietro (Texas Roadhouse Cycling)0:00:06
31Gen kogureRow 30 - Cell 2
32Guy Tawney (Centurion Next Wave Cycling Team)0:00:07
33Eamon Lucas (Astellas Cycling Team)0:00:07
34Ian Keough (Astellas Cycling Team)0:00:07
35Geron Williams (CRCA/Foundation)Row 34 - Cell 2
36Akil Campbell (Stradalli - Safetti)0:00:07
37Anthony Rodriguez (CRCA/Foundation)0:00:07
38Ricky Randall (Team Arapahoe Resources)0:00:08
39Darren DowlingRow 38 - Cell 2
40Michael Jasinski (Team Clif Bar)0:00:08
41Parker Kyzer (Team Finish Strong)0:00:08
42Ryan Aitcheson (Astellas Cycling Team)0:00:08
43Paul Morris (Team Clif Bar)0:00:08
44Chris Uberti0:00:08
45Devin Reavis (High Country Development Team p/b Pactimo)0:00:08
46chris ernst (Team Ontario)0:00:09
47Graydon StaplesRow 46 - Cell 2
48Stefan Mastaller (Maloja Pushbikers)Row 47 - Cell 2
49Philip short0:00:09
50Christian Camilo Torres (CRCA/Foundation)0:00:09
51Ryan Joyce (Cyclus Sports)0:00:09
52Anton Varabei (RealDeal/D'Ornellas p/b Garneau)Row 51 - Cell 2
53Noah Simms (Team Ontario/Centurion Next Wave Cycling Team)0:00:10
54Fabio Calabria (Team Novo Nordisk)0:00:10
55Jacob Gerhardt (Team Clif Bar)0:00:10
56Kevin MullervyRow 55 - Cell 2
57Dylan Cantrell (United Healthcare of Georgia/706P)0:00:10
58Grant Erhard0:00:10
59Umberto Poli (Team Novo Nordisk)0:00:11
60AJ Moran0:00:11
61Artur Sagat (Pioneer Mortgage Funding)0:00:11
62Isaac Strickland0:00:11
63Connor Schunk0:00:11
64Gonzalez Frankie0:00:11
65Andy Scarano (United Healthcare of Georgia p/b The 706 Project)0:00:12
66Sebastian Morfin (Stradalli - Safetti)0:00:12
67Brais Dacal (Team Novo Nordisk)0:00:12
68Adam Koble (Team Arapahoe Resources)0:00:13
69Willem Kaiser (United Healthcare of Georgia p/b The 706 Project)Row 68 - Cell 2
70Matt Salpietro (Texas Roadhouse)0:00:13
71Michael Potter0:00:15
72Juan Polanco (CRCA/Foundation)0:00:15
73Frank Travieso (United Healthcare of Georgia p/b The 706 Project)Row 72 - Cell 2
74Norlandy Tavera (CRCA/Foundation)0:00:15
75Lucas Livermon (Cyclus Sports)0:00:15
76David Pavlik0:00:16
77Unknown0:00:16
78Kyle Knott0:00:16
79Raynauth Jeffrey (Team Cocos)0:00:16
80Sam Connell0:00:17
81Gunner Holmgren0:00:17
82Clay Murfet (Astellas Cycling Team)0:00:17
83Christepher Zieman0:00:17
84Douglas Chrystall (Cannondale)0:00:18
85Sean Weddell0:00:18
86Andrew Baker0:00:18
87Shane Feehery0:00:20
88Chad Conley0:00:20
89Michael Stoop0:00:22
90Carlos Norena0:00:31
91Adam Leibovitz (Giant Racing)0:00:34
92Unknown0:00:43
93Brandon Feehery (Astellas Cycling Team)0:01:06
94John PrattRow 93 - Cell 2
95Justin PfaffRow 94 - Cell 2
96Matthew Staples (Ontario)Row 95 - Cell 2
97Myles Lietzke (Lowcountry Racing)Row 96 - Cell 2
98Matthew Kelley (Summit Wealth Strategies)Row 97 - Cell 2
99Rainiel Sanchez (SCC SOUTHERN CRESCENT CYCLING)Row 98 - Cell 2
100Andrew Hodges (Prima Tappa)Row 99 - Cell 2
101Charkie Huegel (Nine Lives Carbon Repair)Row 100 - Cell 2
102David Herrera (Governacion de Caldas)Row 101 - Cell 2
103Juan Pimentel (CRCA/Foundation)Row 102 - Cell 2
104Evan Bybee (Team Arapahoe Resources)Row 103 - Cell 2
105Carlo Villarreal (Organic Valley)Row 104 - Cell 2
106Emanuel Mini (Team Novo Nordisk Development)Row 105 - Cell 2
107Connor SimmansRow 106 - Cell 2
108loenardo marquezRow 107 - Cell 2
109John CroomRow 108 - Cell 2
110Chris CollinsRow 109 - Cell 2
111Jason Williams (Hartz)Row 110 - Cell 2
112Brad HarmanRow 111 - Cell 2
113Zachary Lewis (11elevencycling)Row 112 - Cell 2
114darel ChristopherRow 113 - Cell 2
115Nicholas LutherRow 114 - Cell 2
116Eric Serantoni (Low Country Racing)Row 115 - Cell 2
117Henry WillisRow 116 - Cell 2
118Tim Burton (RealDeal/D'Ornellas p/b Garneau)Row 117 - Cell 2
119Jaime Bernal (Team Cocos)Row 118 - Cell 2
120Hector Fabian Aguilar Figueria (SCC SOUTHERN CRESCENT CYCLING)Row 119 - Cell 2
121Carlos Arias JauanRow 120 - Cell 2
122Ryan SheanRow 121 - Cell 2

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A former professional and two-time cyclo-cross US national champion, Beard is also an award-winning journalist and cycling commentator. Since leaving competition, she has written for several major cycling media outlets, worked as media director for major US stage races and consulted with men's and women's professional cycling teams.

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