July 8/04 7:11 am - Mississauga Midweek Criterium

Posted by Editor on 07/8/04
 

Harris + Harris 2004 Midweek Handicap Criterium Hershey Centre Mississauga ON
Courtesy Midweek Club
12 laps of long circuit + 12 laps of short circuit.
43km.Av. Speed: 38.3kph

Tonight's Harris+Harris Midweek Criterium was WET!!! In fact, it made today's TTT stage of the Tour look positively balmy! 49 riders started on the long course under a pall of ominous-looking thunder clouds and by the 10th. lap the skies opened and they were faced with a tropical type downpour which didn't let up until the end of the race. The organizer decided to cut out the technical portion of the course and the last 14 laps of the shortened race were on the oval 1'5km circuit. Despite the awful weather, 28 of the riders stuck it to the end. A late break by Darko Ficko (La Bicicletta), Nathan Chown (Gears Racing), Ed Makarchuk (KHS), and Jason Valenti (MBRC) managed to stay away despite the efforts of Peter Morse (Midweek Elite) to organize a chase. By the finish, the three remaining escapees (Valenti being dropped) cruised to a 17 second advantage over the remains of the pack. Darko winning, with Ed 2nd. and Nathan in 3rd. Chris Atkins (Midweek Elite) won the bunch gallop from Dan Lefebvre (Gears Racing) and Heath Cockburn (La Bicicletta)

Thanks to all for coming out on such a night.

Thanks to: Kit McCaffery, Ann Wilson, and our M/c pace rider, Jack Chomicz