WBL # 6 (10 January 2015) Atlantis Hydroponics // Classic City - TopicsExpress

WBL # 6 (10 January 2015) Atlantis Hydroponics // Classic City Bakery-Ken Bike Law Paoli Junction Classic The Big O Oscar Clark scored a scintillating win with a spectacular 8 mile solo over the cruel byways in the legendary Gene Dixon Attack Zone, a 9 mile stretch of blacktop with no less than six huge hummocks to climb. When the 80 person grupetto first entered the Final Attack Zone they had already been buffeted and battered by inhospitable winds and intemperate temperatures that didn’t rise above 40 degrees until the halfway point on the 80 mile day. This group had already paid a heavy toll. When the whistle blew, Matt Big Truck Whatley, Brendan Bam Bam Cornett, Jered Gutcheck Gruber and The Big O immediately surged and moved clear. The four experienced hammerheads quickly fell into formation and opened up a dangerous seven second gap. Over the top of the first large hill, The Big O jumped his compatriots and pushed clear. He quickly checked behind him, took a deep breath of icy air, shifted into his 13, and pressed down on his pedals with all the gusto he muster. He was fully committed—there was 8 miles to go. Though the Big O was on his own, the three behind kept the pedal to the metal; the field was not closing and now they were in full blown panic mode. The Big O stayed clear over the second and third large hills, taking the intermediate sprint points in the process, but he was not extending his gap. Behind, the hills were wreaking havoc on the poor pack as riders succumbed to the cruel slopes. Heading up the monster incline on the third hill, the Wrecking Ball Joey Rosskopf made his move. He stomped across to the three chasers and drug Bam Bam Cornett clear. The two were ten seconds in arrears and were determined to catch the Big O. There were 4 miles to go—this was shaping up to be a sphincter-squeezing, nail biter of a finish. As Clark powered up the fourth hill, Bam Bam and the Wrecking Ball began to close. But the remnants of the main filed was hot on their heels—the win was still anyone’s for the taking. The Big O took the right hand turn on Beaverdam and the left on Smithonia and headed up the ascent of the fifth large lump, the Mur de Winterville. Taking the right hand turn on Billy Melton Road with 1.5 miles to go, the two chasers were still closing and appeared to have radar lock on the Big O. Surely he couldn’t survive. But Clark smelled blood. He also smelled cash money and a million dollar prize box so summoned his inner Jens Voight and poured everything he had into pounding on his pedals. As he raced up the last long slope to the finish line, the two chasers managed to close the gap to a slim 3 seconds but the Big O would not be denied. As he crossed the line he threw both arms up as the tears poured down his cheeks like a waterfall. In the decimated main field Dillon the Swami Swain raged across in 4th with Andy Scarface Scarano shortly behind. Michael Lean Bean Trivttete won the day for the Non Pros with a remarkable ride but the day also belonged to the Field Marshall Morgan Patton Brown, currently wearing the Hub’s Leader’s Jersey, as she not only won the sprint for the gals, but also finished an astounding 2nd for the Non Pros. Also showing fortitude and strength beyond her tender years was Megan the Hammer Heath, Frazier Cycling’s 15 year old wunderkind, who came in 2nd for the ladies and held onto her second place in the Overall. Not to be outdone, Frazier’s other teenage game changers, Jonathan the Spatula Spathelf and Harrison No Go Nguy also impressed with extraordinary rides and both remain in the Top 8 in the Overall. Pin your ears back, guys and gals, this group is on the roll! Finish: 1. Oscar Clark: 10 pts. 2. Joey Rosskopf: 8 pts. 3. Brendan Cornett: 6 pts. 4. Dillon Swain: 4 pts 5. Andy Scarano: 2 pts. 6. Attack Point: Matt Whatley, Jered Gruber: 1 pt. Non-Pro: 1. Michael Trivette: 10 pts. 2. Morgan Patton-Brown: 8 pts. 3. Jonathon Spathelf: 6 pts. 4. Harrison Nguy: 4 pts 5. Shannon Wrege: 2 pts. Ladies: 1. Morgan Patton: 5 pts. 2. Megan Heath: 3 pts. 3. Emily Cox: 1 pt Ladies’ Sprint: 1. Morgan Patton: 3 pts. 2. Megan Heath: 2 pts 3. Emily Cox: 1 pt Pro Sprint: 1. Oscar Clark: 3 pts. 2. Joey Rosskopf: 2 pts. 3. Brendan Cornett: 1 pt