Koppenberg Road Race
April 3rd
Dirk cruises up the grueling climb.
Plenty of sun and mild temperatures greeted the record number of racers that chose to do battle on the "other" Koppenberg climb this Sunday. While hundreds of rabid cycling fans lined the more notorious Koppenberg climb at this years Ronde Van Vlaanderen in Belgium, a slightly smaller but no less vocal crowd was on hand at Boulder's adopted Koppenberg to witness Dirk Friel (Vitamin Cottage) take the win in the elite men’s race.
Unlike last year, the elite men's field stayed relatively intact for the first half of the eight lap race despite what eventual winner Friel would describe as "the worst road conditions this race has seen". Just like the women's race earlier in the day, a veteran mountain biker would create the final split when Jay Henry (Ford/Specialized) surged ahead on the rough run-in to the climb. Latching on over the top were 2002 Koppenberg winner Dirk Friel, Michael Carter (Denver Spoke) and the young Clayton Barrows (RMCEF), who also raced the morning collegiate race for the University of Wyoming. The 15 strong chase group stayed within site of these four for the remainder of the race but was unable to bring them back. The only split up front came when Carter dropped his chain with two to go and was forced to run the climb. The cagy veteran made a successful bridge to the leaders however, setting up a four man slugfest up the steep slopes of the Koppenburg into the finish. Barrows, who is fine tuning his form for the Collegiate Nationals as well, lead out the final 150-meter sprint but Friel edged past on his left to take the win by half a wheel. Carter claimed the final podium spot with Henry rolling in for a well deserved fourth place.
Friel, who seemed to be inspired by his team Vitamin Cottage's strong second place team standing at the Redlands Bicycle Classic taking place on this same weekend said "I didn't attack all day, it was just a matter of positioning going into the climb. I tried to stay in the top five going in and had no problem following all the moves". Friel's strong showing belies the fact that he had just returned from competing in the Iron Man South Africa two weeks ago where he posted a very respectable time of 10:45. "I really think the swimming is helping my riding. I haven't felt this good on the bike in a couple years".
Text from www.boulderracing.com
Chuck pushed the pace early on, launching Dirk into the attack.
The pack flies up the climb.
Dirk takes time to raise a hand while he catches lapped riders at the line for the win.
Michael finished the race, but finished the day in the ambulence after a bad fall out on the course.
Chad takes a moment after the race to plug the sponsors.
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