On Saturday, March 9th, Frank Jr made the trip to Manhattan to race the Grant’s Tomb crit. It was only the 2nd time ever racing on the road bike and his first crit race. Frank was pretty excited no doubt. At the start line he lined up with all the junior categories ranging from 11-12 all the way to 17-18 with some pretty fast guys. Considering the race is only 35 minutes long it’s best to stay close to the front. Frank looked for an early break, but the attacks did not start happening until in the last few laps. As the older category tried to pull away Frank was able to bridge up to them. By that point in the race there was only half a lap to go until the sprint. Coming into the last turn, the rest of the pack caught back up and it came down to a massive field sprint. Frank was still able to come across the line first in his age class.

Quite a debut in crit and road racing for Frank and more to come of course this season. Frank will soon hit the dirt too and start the season full gas. Awesome day for our junior rider.

P.S Frank’s dad Frank O’Reilly Sr. also raced and took 9th place in the Masters 40+ category.

Roger@FinKraft

www.finkraftcoaching.com

3 hours of Santos, Florida MTB festival

Al Blanchard and Karen & Jeff Tripp all made the RV Camping trip down to FL and took part in the Santos MTB festival/race. Al and Karen both podiumed (both 3rd) and Jeff was 7th. All three did the 3-hour MTB race on the beautiful Santos trails. Good times on and off the bike.

Karen is no stranger to winning a National Championship. She has won in CX and MTB before and medaled on the road as well. Karen had a perfect race, stuck to the plan and rode her own race. Karen also had a great build up & preparation for this race throughout the whole. Definitely one of her main goals this CX season and she was ready to execute. We arrived early to Louisville and we had plenty of time to get comfortable with the course layout and equipment prep, so you can say she had the course dialed. On race day conditions were challenging, but with smooth bike changes and 100% focus Karen dominated the race from start to finish.

Our FinKraft Team is super proud of Karen taking home the Stars & Stripes.

 

In Louisville, KY Cyclocross Nationals most races were on slippery or muddy conditions, but on Friday when the 50-54 category were on the course it miraculously was pretty dry and tacky. Roger had a front row start and pretty much was charging at the front of the race then entire time, dueling with multiple time National and World Champion Don Myrah. Race was wire to wire all the way to the last climb of the course where the race pretty much was decided. Roger and Don both knew who ever crested the top of the hill first would win. Some lapped traffic might have affected the outcome, but that’s racing and whoever crosses the line first wins. Don got the better of Roger this time, but one of the most exciting races all week no doubt.

Frank O’Reilly also raced in the 45-49 category on Friday, but even just minutes after Roger’s race the rain started and the course turned into mud and slop immediately. Todd Peterson lined up in the Single Speed race the following day and conditions were epic to say the least.

Frank O’Reilly was definitely one of the favorites in his race. Winning the Junior NE Vittoria Series and numerous races all season. This is the highest level and it was a tight battle all the way to the line. Frank takes 4th at the end and we are all really happy with this super performance. Now a little rest and then start preparing for the upcoming MTB season.

FinKraft Junior Team rider Finley Aspholm fought hard to a 11th place in the Junior Girls 13-14 National Cyclocross Championships on a very tough and muddy course. Finley had a super start from 3rd row to 3rd place at one point of the race. Great accomplishment and a great experience for the future . A well earned placing in a very competitive field of girls and great ending to a very successful cyclocross season for Finley.

Robert Lyons won the always tough classic Road Race M50 – Tour of the Hillstown!  Staple of the New England races.

 

Roger wins the Masters 50-54  USA Cycling MTB Nationals Country Country Race.  Stars and Stripes.  Wonderful results also for Finley – Silver in the Girls 11-12 category, Sierra Vasquez strong 5th in the same race (and podium also) and Jonah Vasquez, 6th in his super competitive race. Great race weekend for the FinKraft Cycling Team!

 

Andreas Runggatscher set a blistering time of 54:14 and is now the NY State Time Trial Champion in the Masters 45-49.

 

Hot and humid summer day for the Capital Regions Road Race.   Roger helped establish the winning break group and scored a solid 2nd place for the day.  Perfect preparations for his upcoming MTB USA Nationals Cross Country Race.