Race finish advances cyclists to Nationals

By Cathy McLaren
Staff Writer

Not a single cloud marred the dazzling blue sky as sunshine streamed down on the men and women pedaling their bikes around downtown Lafayette on Sunday. This wasn't the setting of a leisurely weekend bike ride, however, but of a serious competition.

The Purdue cycling club played host to the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference's regional criterium race on Sunday. Attracting approximately 20 different schools, the race offered several unusual, exciting moments before the final outcome was determined. The Boilermakers finished in sixth place.

"We rode a pretty good race," said club member Kevin Mark. "A lot of people did really well for Purdue."

Some of those people included four riders who placed in the top 10 for their respective races. In the most advanced division, the 'A' category, Purdue sophomore Matt Moore placed second in the intermediate sprints and ninth overall.

Paul Hammer earned another ninth place finish for Purdue in the men's intermediate division, the 'B' category. An interesting aspect of this race was that a group of approximately a dozen riders, including Hammer, broke away from the pack.

"There were about 30 to 40 seconds separating them and the rest of us in the field," said Mark. "To protect (Hammer), about four or five of us (from Purdue) got up front and slowed down the pack. This lets your teammate get ahead. We slowed down the chasers and kind of dictated the pace of the race."

In the women's divisions, Laura Kehoe placed eighth in the 'A' category, and Dawn Johnting placed second in the 'B' category.

The combined strong efforts put forth by the Boilermaker cyclists earned the team a trip to nationals, to be held May 19-21 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Nationals, hosted by the Air Force Academy, will consist of a road race, a criterium, and a team time trial.

One problem the cyclists from the Midwest are not accustomed to is Colorado's high altitude. The 65-mile road race, which contains part of the 1986 world championship course, has more than 800 feet of climbing per nine-mile lap. It reaches a peak altitude of 7,242 feet with a peak grade of 11 percent, which is fairly steep, said Mark.

"Training-wise, we just have to get our miles in (to prepare)," he said. "Some of us are going to head out there a week in advance to get acclimated to the altitude. That's better than going cold turkey, but the Midwest still has an unfair disadvantage."

Coming off an 11th place finish from last year, Purdue has high expectations heading into nationals.

"We hope to do just as well, if not better," said Mark. "It's a big, tough course, but in the past we've done well. By far we have the best conference (in the nation), and I think we will do really well."

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