Howe finishes in the Top 10 in post Fitchburg Crit
Attleboro, MA – Justin Howe finished 9th in the fast four corner post Fitchburg criterium in Attleboro; Justin was joined by NEBC’s Mark Theeman.
Fitchburg Longsjo Classic: Van Cleef wins the Point's Classification
Fitchburg, MA – Roy Van Cleef successfully swept the points classification in the 49th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race, gaining the points lead on the second day of the Wachusett Mountain Road Race and never letting go! NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental was a little short manned in the pure Category 2 race due to a string of unlucky crashes and illness’ leading up to the race, but you would never have known from the fantastic support performances by team mates Peter Bradshaw and Peter Shapiro.
After the uphill time trial where Bradshaw lead the way for NEBC coming in 28th with a supurb ride just outside of 18 minutes, the team plan was to go after the points jersey or perhaps a stage win. Roy initiated an early break in the 2nd day’s 92 mile Wachusett Mountain Road Race, which stayed off the front while Shapiro and Bradshaw covered moves and blocked. Roy’s break of 5 was able to stay away for most of the race, giving Roy a 55 point lead going in to the 3rd Day and the first points jersey of the race!
The 50 mile Fitchburg State College Circuit Race had lots of points up for grabs, and a few strong contenders for the points jersey emerged from Noreast Cycling and Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Amateur Team, but team defended well on the tough 3.1 mile circuit and Roy increased his lead in the points competition to 90 points!
In the final 50 mile Worker’s Credit Union Downtown Fitchburg Criterium, the team worked hard to defend Roy’s lead. Covering the early moves and delivering Roy to the front on sprint laps. Late in the race, a strong move of 3 (including ex-NEBCer Kevin Wolfson from Fitness Together/Independent Fabrication presented by Lionette’s) going after the glory of the stage win (and perhaps a few spots on GC) goes off the front; this break swallows up the rest of the points and secures the victory for Roy and NEBC!
Thanks to all the NEBC Supporters and Sponsors that came out and watched, cheered, and helped out! The team had plenty of help in the Feed Zone, Mechanical Support from the Cycle Loft and more waterbottles than we knew what to do with from Devonshire Dental.
Giro di Jersey: Brooks takes the Overall
Princeton, NJ – Scott Brooks delivered NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental’s first 2008 GC Win. Brooks was accompanied by Peter Chiu in this 3 stage race in and around Princeton, NJ. Scott’s rise to victory started with a strong 2nd place finish in the opening 15k Time Trial aboard the new Carbon Specialized Transition. Scott then took back to back 4th place finishes in the 52 mile circuit race and 20 mile criterium with excellent support from Peter who finished strong, 39th overall in the GC. Giro di Jersey looks to be an excellent warm up for the 49th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race!
Brooks 6th in inaugural Boloco Heartbreak Hill Grand Prix
Newton, MA – The men’s and women’s team raced together in the inaugural Boloco Heartbreak Hill Grand Prix; the course featured the iconic Heartbreak Hill most famously featured every April in the Boston Marathon. Initially intended to be a 5mi circuit, the race was shortened to 2.5mi at the last minute, which caused the Women’s 1/2 field to be integrated into the Men’s 3 field for a 73 rider strong race.
Several moves tried to get away through out the race but nothing stuck, David Chiu patrolled the front to make sure NEBC was represented incase anything went but moves that went before the hill were caught on the fast run in to the start/finish line, and anything that went on the fast run in was brought back on Heartbreak Hill.
John Broussard made a strong late move in the race hoping to catch the field off guard. John was able to get more of a gap than anything earlier in the day, but was eventually caught on the final time up Heartbreak Hill.
The race came down to a fast bunch gallop with Scott Brooks coming in 6th place wishing he had one more gear! Brooke O’Connor was the top finisher of the women.
Roy Van Cleef, Peter Bradshaw, and Jason Sears stuck it out in the P/1/2 race which was cut short due to torrential down pours, which magically disappeared as quickly as it appeared right after the finish.
A huge thanks to J. Alain Ferry, the Town of Newton, Boloco, and all the sponsors of this race. It was a fantastic event and an excellent race course, we’ll certainly be back next year!
Photo courtesy of Velocity Results
Chiu 3rd Cat 3 at Cox Charities
Providence, RI – Peter Chiu was the third Category 3 rider across the line (12th in the bunch sprint, 20th overall) in the 2/3 field at the Cox Charities Cycling Classic. The famous downtown Providence criterium featured a new course this year with a trip up College Hill every lap. The Cox Charities Cycling Classic was the first event to kick off New England Race Week, 8 days of racing over 9 days that culminates in the New England staple Fitchburg Longsjo Stage Race.