The team during grid qualifiers, with MC Chad Andrews. *Photo Barbara Dowd.
Athens, Georgia – Bobby Lea and Frank Travieso kicked off the weekend with a solid performance in the Computrainer Grid Qualifiers held on Friday. The finishing ...
The team during grid qualifiers, with MC Chad Andrews. *Photo Barbara Dowd.
Athens, Georgia – Bobby Lea and Frank Travieso kicked off the weekend with a solid performance in the Computrainer Grid Qualifiers held on Friday. The finishing order of the 3K Grid Qualifiers create the start positions for the men’s criterium Saturday night. The final eight riders get coveted front-row starting positions and take part in the showcase Grid Qualifier in front of thousands on Friday night. In that main event Bobby finished third while Frank finished 5th. Not a true time trial test, it was however very painful and a good opportunity for both Bobby and Frank to show just how prepared they were for the main event.
The team of Thomas Brown, Shane Kline, Isaac Howe, Bobby Lea, Frank Travieso, and Adam Myerson rode a fantastic race. The guys were aggressive all night, and tactically savvy, and they really put on a show. In particular it was great to see Athens residents Thomas Brown and Frank Travieso throwing down for their home crowd, and they were clearly enjoying every minute of it.
Isaac Howe, Adam Myerson, Thomas Brown, Shane Kline and Bobby Lea. *Photo Barbara Dowd.
The race is 80 laps of a 1 kilometer course, and right from the start the team went on the attack. Thomas Brown, racing in his hometown and wanting to make a strong showing for his team and himself went out early. Adrian Hegyvary from the powerful UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team was quick to cover the move. The duo were later joined by Mark Koble of BikeSouth and the trio were off. They held a lead of 17 seconds and maintained that lap after lap. This move was vital to our overall plan and kept the rest of the team protected and fresh, while teams like Predator were stuck chasing, expending valuable energy. With 29 laps of the 80 remaining, these 3 were finally reeled in. The counter-attacks were immediate and our Frank Travieso, along with Kevin Mullervy (Champion System p/b Stan’s NoTubes), and Carlos Alzate (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) were able to get a 13 second gap. After several laps they expanded their lead to 23 seconds. With 17 laps remaining the trio increased their lead to 33 seconds. Travieso, Mullervy, and Alzate were working together as the SmartStop-Mountain Khakis squad were at the front of the chasing peloton squashing any chases. Frank’s best shot at the victory would be head to head with Carlos, and it was in his best interest that the trio not lap the field. Frank started easing up with about 10 laps remaining, and Alzate picked up the slack. Alzate’s increased efforts put the group within reach of nearly lapping the field with eight to go. Not wanting a repeat performance of the finish we had in Anniston, the week before, the rest of the team went to the front of the field in an effort to ensure that the trio did not lap the field. On the backside of the course with 5 laps to go, Mullervy attacked. Travieso and Alzate looked at each other, neither wanting to chase the Champion System rider back. Frank made a tactical decision to wait for Alzate to make the move. He knew this was his best shot at the victory and he was rightfully willing to risk it. Alzate never moved, and was willing to watch the opportunity for the win roll up the road. Frank and Alzate couldn’t or wouldn’t work together and instead continued to look at each other, finally rolling across the line with Alzate second and Frank third.
With one lap to go there was a large crash in the main field that took out Isaac and Thomas, but Shane was able to stay out of trouble and was in good position for the sprint for 4th. He battled with the UHC sprinters and was able to take an impressive 5th place.
In the end we were very satisfied with the way the team performed, and in the end result. In the 80 lap event we had a rider off the front for almost 70 laps! We controlled the race and had a direct impact on the outcome. The race wasn’t dictated to us
score: 1
about 6 hours ago