- Gainesville, FL -
Results
University of Florida's Swamp Classic was an appropriate way to open up the 2011 season as plenty of cyclists showed from around the south to test their legs in the combined collegiate and open categories. The weekend consisted of a circuit race around a 1.1 mile three turn circuit followed by a two-lap time trial around the same course that afternoon. Sunday's criterium event was held at the multi-turn Gainesville Raceway.
While the sun did peak out during spurts over the weekend, it was tough racing weekend due to the unexpected torrential downpours of rain. At the conclusion of the collegiate circuit race and criterium, the racers resembled fish out of water with their sand/grit blasted bike frames.
In the first race Saturday morning, the collegiate C's, Austin Sholly wrecked going into a slick turn early in the race, picking his battered bike and bloody self off the pavement to finish in 34th, 13 seconds back in the 42 man field.
The men's B race followed as the much anticipated 'Le Train de Mercer' arrived with Gabe Denes, Andrew Lockwood, and Kevin Roberts in tow. With a strategy to break late in the race, conditions didn't pan out for the three cycling musketeers, as their attacks were thwarted by an aggressive field. With three laps to go, Lockwood made a pass on the right and laid the hammer down to make the break in a six man group. He'd eventually lead the race with one lap to go and sprinted to a fourth place finish. Denes would pass the line in 11th, second in the field sprint, while Roberts passed in 19th. South Florida's Zorth Pilioneta would take the win.
"Wow, what a finish that was," said Lockwood following the race. "The circuit course was a great way to kick off the season with wide open turns and a big break at the end. Our team tactics have really progressed since last season," he added with sand and grit covering his face as they raced through 40 minutes of rain.
Elizabeth Lee followed the performance with a strong finish in the Women's A/B race in the middle of the pack.
Entering the Category 4/5 circuit race two hours later, Le Train de Mercer hoped to strike gold but instead ran into a pack of squirrly eager beavers ready to begin the season. After numerous 'almost' collisions, getting forced off the pavement, and a wreck on the final lap, the team was grateful to salvage the race with Kevin Roberts' 12th place finish followed by Andrew Lockwood three seconds back from the winner in 17th. Gabe Denes would drop halfway through the race with a popped spoke.
"My darn spoke popped on my Zipp front wheel," Denes retorted. "We were talking team tactics and Lockwood and I got a little too close. No worries though, I'm just glad that I didn't wreck with all the Cat 5 all-stars in that race," said Denes.
Starting the P-1-2-3 women's race, Elizabeth Lee would take 2nd to Florida Velo's Trish Cohen, a big finish for Lee in the four person field, but nonetheless, in the money.
Saturday afternoon's individual time trial was shortened to 2.2 miles (2 laps) around the circuit race course. Due to rule changes handed down by the SECCC, only aero helmets were allowed in the ITT, leveling the field for the many collegiate riders.
Lockwood was the first to go off, posting a time of 5:14 (25.2 mph)to take the top spot in the standings until USF's Adam Skindel would post the winning time at 5:03. Kevin Roberts would finish 3rd at 5:17 and Gabe Denes would haul in 7th at 5:25. Austin Sholly would finish 7th as well in the Collegiate C's with a 5:57. Elizabeth Lee motored to 5th in the Collegiate Women with a 6:23.
"I really didn't get into much of a rhythm after racing two races and warming up for forever for the TT," said Lockwood. "I felt like a diesel truck trying to get back up to speed on the interstate after going through a weigh station," he added.
After analyzing their tactics over pancakes and biscuits at Cracker Barrel, Le Train de Mercer came back with a vengeance Sunday morning, controlling the Collegiate B 45 minute criterium on the six turn road race course.
Lining up attacks at specific points in the race, the trio launched Kevin Roberts for a mid-race points premium and at the conclusion of the race for the win as he made the podium with a third place effort. Lockwood would hit the gas at the end for an 8th place showing while Denes lead out Roberts and fell back to 14th.
"I was the only one to make the podium picture following the race," said Roberts. "So I stood on the top box and thought to myself, 'this feels good,'" he added.
Sholly would race his best race of the weekend, dropping off the back of the group midway through the event and Elizabeth Lee would take home a mid-pack 8th place in the Collegiate Women's race.
The final race of the weekend, the open category 4/5 was perhaps the most dominant race for Denes, Lockwood, and Roberts all weekend. The strength in their teams' tactics was apparent throughout the race as they worked diligently to thin out the front of the field. Their lead-out for Roberts/Denes fell apart with two laps to go with two separate multi-cyclist crashes taking out the field. Lockwood stomped on the gas to catch up with the lead pack, back was stranded for the finish. Denes posted his best result of the weekend with a 3rd place sprint. Roberts and Lockwood would finish 6th and 7th respectively. Elizabeth Lee would also take 3rd in the small P-1-2-3 field following the men's race.
"This weekend was really all about team work," said Lockwood. "We came here with a purpose in mind, to test our early season fitness, and to be honest, we're going to be smashing it come April. Between Kevin, Gabe, and I, I feel good about our chances in any race," Lockwood added.
Results
Circuit (Collegiate)
Lockwood - 4th (B)
Roberts - 11th (B)
Denes - 19th (B)
Sholly - 34th (C)
Lee - 5th (A/B)
Circuit (Open)
Roberts - 12th (4/5)
Lockwood - 17th (4/5)
Denes - DNF (4/5)
Lee - 2nd (P-1-2-3)
Individual Time Trial
Lockwood - 2nd (B)
Roberts - 3rd (B)
Denes - 7th (B)
Sholly - 7th (C)
Lee - 5th (A/B)
Criterium (Collegiate)
Roberts - 3rd (B)
Lockwood - 8th (B)
Denes - 14th (B)
Sholly - ? (C)
Lee - 8th (A/B)
Criterium (Open)
Denes - 4th (4/5)
Roberts - 6th (4/5)
Lockwood - 7th (4/5)
Lee - 3rd (P-1-2-3)
