A special addition to the ride were the guys from California, who rolled in right before the start. This created some nice pre ride drama. From what I understand they had their usual pre ride meeting in the late hours the night before (or early). Leading the group was "Country AL" Mittlesdorf, who has won several Tour de Cullman's.
Brett Barker lead the ride out in the mandatory tourist pace for the first 23 miles. This year he tried to keep a more regulated pace which worked out well. It was "Grouppo Compatto" all the way to the now traditional personal relief zone.
From the break the riders headed down towards Chambless Mill, and the wooden bridge where the KOM competition begins. As the better riders worked their way to the front they crossed the wooden bridge and the pace speeded up. The roads around the bridge are one and a half lane with a couple of good climbs and some twists and turns making it very technical.
As the riders exited the Chamblees Mill sections the green flag was dropped and the gauntlet went down. The riders now on the parkway, there was some panic and jockeying for position. They then turned onto the first true climb on Skyball and the selection was made as they entered the Circle of Death.
In the selection was Rucker Agee, Country Al, Jim Brock, Kevin White, Chris Rossi, Randy Crow, Ronny Smith, Tracy Mckay and Philip Thompson. There were other riders right behind and then a horrific wreck happened as some wheels touched sending Ocie Wade to Urgent Care with some nasty road rash.
Once on the steep grade of the first climb Philip Thompson made a move that would prove to be a supreme tactical move. Looks like the Tria boys had a plan and it was working to Philips advantage. Philip never looked back and motored down Skyball road. When he turned onto Joy road aka "The Meat Grinder" he had 1:00 up on the chasing group as he hammered over the series of four climbs. It appeared that organization was going to be difficult in the chasing peleton. When Philip hit the lower section of the final climb his lead had actually grown.
On the four mile accent up to the finish Philip Thompson increased his lead and crested the KOM with no one in sight. On the final climb, Kevin White, Jim Brock, Rucker Agee and Country Al started the lower slopes together. Jim Brock flatted on the steeper sections of the climb which removed him from the podium. Kevin White crested Skyball 1:42 behind Philip with Country Al at 2:42 back.
In the womens KOM Terri Jones won the overall trophy topping Skyball a very strong 5:50 back. Taking the masters trophy was Amy Gravlee who like Jones finished within the top 20 riders overall. In her first Tour de Cullman Beth Santoro was third.
Terri Jones with her Trophy!
2 comments:
Are these post pending drug testing?
I would have thought that girl in the pink CCC kit would have won something. She was pretty strong.
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