2004-03-27 Flying Rhino Spring Fling Race #1

2004-03-27 Flying Rhino Spring Fling Race #1

The Flying Rhino Spring Fling Race #1 was the first race of the 2004 Michigan USCF schedule, beating out the Fisk Knob TT, which was being run on the same day in Grand Rapids, just starting 2 hours later.

The Team Bikesport/Lifetime Fitness/AAVC Cat. 3 team raced the “B” Race. On the start line were: John Rigdon, Travis Stebbins, James Whitesides, Joe Lekovish, Alex Keomany, Jordan Stohl, Tom Kelly, Paul Kundrat, Jeff Elam and Mark Caswell. Additionally, Mark Spahr of the AAVC also made the race. Temperature was around 50F with winds about 5-15mph. Field was a total of 40 riders. The other team well represented was the Flying Rhinos, with about 6-8 riders. A handful of Wolverines, 1-2 Ada riders and various others rounded out the field. On the menu was a race of 10 laps for a total of 14 miles.

Eager to start the season and show our new team colors, riders from Team Bikesport/Lifetime Fitness/AAVC hit the front right from the gun. “First race of the year” excitement and the short race distance combined for a quick couple of laps.

The team didn’t have a formal race plan, but two riders (Jeff Elam and Joe Lekovish) had discussed shooting for the first prime, just to test their legs. As the field wound up for the first prime Jeff Elam hit the front with Joe Lekovish & Mark Caswell in tow. Jeff’s acceleration immediately took the 3 clear of the field. Joe & Mark sat up and watched him sprint away. At the line he had a good 25+ bike lengths over the field. Chalk one up for Team Bikesport/Lifetime Fitness/AAVC.

Over the next couple of laps the team launch attacks and generally mixed it up, with John Rigdon, Tom Kelly, Paul Kundrat, and Mark Spahr all taking flyers or joining breaks. As the second prime approached, Juniors Jordan Stohl and Travis Stebbins were away in a two man break. They looked to have the prime clinched when a Flying Rhino rider launched themselves out of the pack with a tremendous jump. Despite team members yelling warnings, Jordan and Travis were taken by surprise only 200 meters from the line (Note to team: work on covering attacks better).

As the last lap approached various team members hit the front to wind up the speed, with Mark Caswell being very prominent at the front. With ½ a lap to go James Whitesides launched a solo attack and looked to have a winning gap, holding the field off for about 500 meters. Eager to win their “home race” the Flying Rhinos organized the chase to reel in James and lead out the sprint. Joe Lekovish jumped onto the end of their train and had an armchair ride up to 300 meters to go. “They were pulling James in pretty quickly and despite being conflicted about attacking my own teammate, I jumped inside of the Rhinos lead out and gave it everything I had. I caught James about 100 meters out and just kept sprinting to the line” said Joe Lekovish. Travis Stebbins launched his own sprint to take 2^nd place. Rounding out the top 15 were: 6^th – James Whitesides, 9^th – John Rigdon, 10^th – Mark Caswell, 11^th – Jeff Elam, 13^th – Jordan Stohl.

An impressive performance in the first “official” Michigan race of the season.

Keep an eye out for the “Green Team”, Team Bikesport/Lifetime Fitness/AAVC!