Koppenberg Road Race

The 45 Plus squad showed up at Koppenberg knowing they already had the 2009 Best All Around Rider and Best All Around Team competitions wrapped up, but Matt V and Henrik were looking for more. Henrik is from Europe so this race reminded him of the mother land. His only complaint was that it was not raining. That would have made it a real race in his eyes. He rode strong and came in with another top 10.

Matt is shown in the 1st photos and you get a sense for just how bad this climb is. Most casual riders would not think you could get a road bike up it. Based on Mat's pre ride and advice from team Big Boy CJ, Matt was rocking the more interesting left hand line. He said as much as he liked it in training, it killed him in the race. Matt had to get off his bike on each of the 1st laps, but was strong enough to chase back on and finish 5th.

Matt is currently in second place for the 45 Plus riders in the Best All Around Rider category, behind his own teammate (way to go guys). Matt deserves a lot of credit as this guy is truly an all around hard man. He is out there in the sprint sprinting at the front of crits, can handle a nasty race like Koppenberg, does all the TT, and climbs with the front guys in many races.

Henrik in the middle of the climb.


















The 35 Plus guys started 4 racers and it was game on from mile 1. The winning break of 3 went away right away, but there was no one in there the guys were worried about. Matt S. decided to fall down on the hill for a second time that day on lap 1 and that was it for him. Marcel was up there for a while, but then settled back. Both Pete and CJ made the front group and were covering the Excel team who is leading the Best All Around Team completion. Here is a photo of Pete mid climb in the front group. Pete held on, but lost the grip with 1 climb too many. He came into the last lap with a group of 3, going for 10th and would have won that no problem, but he flatted and rode in a flat rear wheel.









Like Matt. V, CJ preferred the left hand line and used it like his own HOV Lane in rush hour. He hung tough for a big guy on the climbs and made the last lap with the front group of 6 going for 4th place. Unfortunately disaster stuck and he got his only flat of the year right before the main hill. He was able to borrow a wheel and held on to not get caught from behind.

Here is a link to some interesting videos another rider in the 35 plus race shot. you can get an idea for what was going on in the pack for the first couple of laps:

http://www.vimeo.com/6371259