Zip, 53rd, and Slim Appetizer (disclaimer)
Let me please apologize now for such a large post. I do realize that despite the current crisis with our "heroes" the pros are still more exciting. If you'll bear with me however for one post, I would like to pay my teammates their very due and deserved respect.
This will, in effect, serve as 53rd's swan song for some time anyway. I have lost the will to write or read another word about the pros. I do hope you'll understand and thank you for allowing me to utilize this outlet to share my/our passion for what is REAL and the simple love of the sport.
Now, feast on this....
Your Servers
(from left to right)
1. Eric "I need no stinkeen carbs" Revene - Cat 5
2. Ben "Slim" Smith - Cat 4
3. Zach "Zip" Putt - Cat 4, Junior (15-16 men)
4. Aaron "Misspent Yoot" Mimran - Cat 5
The Main 'Course'
For those following the Tour De Toona, you know that it is 7 packed days of stage racing from the fast pro ranks right down to the up and coming amateurs. Celebrating its 20th year, 'Toona, located in Altoona, PA, has served as one of America's longest running premier stage races. So much so that all our American favorites have turned a pedal or two in anger in this beautiful mountain studded area of Central PA.
Day 1 - 40 Mile Circuit Road Race Cat 4 (105 in field)
Results: Ben 11th, Zach 100th (finished despite being taken down in crash)
Day 2 - 20 Mile Road Race Cat 4/5 (150 in field)
Results: Zach 20th, Ben 40th (taken down in crash) Cat 5: Aaron 6th, Eric 16th
Day 3 - 20 Mile Criterium Cat 4(85 in field)
Results: Ben 5th, Zach 29th.
As a result of Ben and Zach's incredible fortitude and working together as a team, Ben and World Cup earned 12th in the GC!!! A well deserved placing and one to make us all proud!
The Dessert
While you're attempting to digest this rather large meal, I must go on record to say that while racing is the main course, the dessert or the "sweets," as it were, are the friends and family that come out to these events and show their unyielding support every time. It means the world to every person that's worn a number and has been alone out there. You have no idea how great it feels to know you're there clapping and yelling even if we finish dead last. You're everything to us.
A special thanks to Dan Bonora and Dee (soon to be Bonora) who have graciously afforded the team their time for coaching, motivation and laughs. We couldn't do it without you.
I hope you've enjoyed your dish. It's the best I've got and it's all natural of course!
Spin safe. Never quit. It's a perfect circle.
Cheers.
5 comments:
Tooth,
don't make it your swan song, but rather your coming out party. This is a cycling blog in all its forms. Keep writing about World Cups exploits as I'm soon to wirte about...xXx Racing, the velodrome experience, and a girl and her bike (triathlon style)
by the way, Zip is a monster for 15-16 yo.
Great stuff, Tooth, and PLEASE keep it coming. This is a cycling blog, and we need to keep it real -- not artificial. You know what I mean!
As a reader of this blog, a fellow world cup rider, and first time racer (at the Grandview heights Criterium last weekend), I totally agree with you Tooth!
While racing is fun, and has its benifits, it really is the friends and family that support you that make it all worth it. I would have loved to come and see you guys race last weekend, but I was too busy getting my own rear handed to me.
Way to go! Keep up the great effort and attitude, and I hope to join you in the racing scene next season! (my work schedule has ruined much of the racing opportunity for me, for the rest of this year)
Gerrit, Thanks for reading and commenting. Congratulations for your first race. The fact that you stayed safe and finshed is priority one in your first. We look foward to you racing with the team.
Granny, Zip is a monster and knows how to close on the top ten pretty well. We are looking forward to him being our "developing" racer along with Slim.
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