5/22 Tour de Parc, Pro/1/2/3 Seaford, NY
Sakonnet pulled off the victory in today’s hard fought Tour de Parc on Long Island. The event was considered a “home” race due to its close proximity to Manhattan and a must win for the young team. Now that school is over most of the squad’s riders are back on the east coast and so the team turned out in force starting ten U25 riders and three regional riders in the Pro 1, 2, 3 event.
The 1-mile circuit featured a slight hill at the top, a 180 turn at the bottom, a fierce headwind on the backside and a massive tailwind on the finishing stretch. At the line it was slightly drizzling and dark clouds on the horizon threatened a thunderstorm. The race began with a bang and in just three laps SKNT had two riders in a five-man break. After several more laps the CRCA/Remax rider in the move couldn’t hold the pace and the break was down to four. Representing SKNT was Guy East and David Wiswell, representing G.S. Mengoni was Lisbon Quintero and Gavi Epstein. Although other teams tried to bring back the move it was not to be as once the rhythm was set the break was working nicely and riding away from the peleton.
With five laps to go the break was close to lapping the field and a deal was struck between Sakonnet’s D.S who was in the race and Jason Bremer, Mengoni’s road general. Neither team wanted the break to lap the field and it was decided that the break would sprint it out themselves. The break eased up and Sakonnet riders began attacking the peleton looking for another selection. Hard attacks by Lee Rosenthal, Robbie Giannini and Mike Margarite came close but could not break the grasp of the peleton.
On the last lap it was Wiswell edging out Quintero at the line for the 1st Place, East rolled in right behind for 3rd Place dispatching Epstein, Mike Chauner attacked the field on the hill and solo’d in for 5th Place, Chris Ruhl won the field sprint for 6th Place and Alex Ferrero cleaned up a money spot for 11th Place.
Sakonnet riders Jon Swain, Lee Rosenthal, Mike Margarite, Robbie Giannini, Louis Perez and Assistant D.S Stephan Badger also deserve credit, as the race was a 100% team effort.
5/22 Tour de Parc, CAT3 Seaford, NY
Sakonnet’s Louis Perez who was the first U25 rider on the squad and the inspiration for the program continued his march to the CAT 2 ranks by finishing in 8th Place.
5/22 Tour de Parc, Masters 35+ Seaford, NY
Sakonnet directors mixed it up in one of the under card events of the day. At the end the race was decided in a field sprint, the Lion of Woodbury Stephan Badger snatched 6th Place and Basil Moutsopoulos finished in 9th Place.
5/21 Tour of Elkton Elkton, MD
The Sakonnet boys traveled down from their new home in Kutztown, PA to this fast criterium in Maryland. Representing the squad was Jon Swain, Mike Chauner, Alex Ferrero, Chris Ruhl and David Wiswell. The race saw many attacks and in the end a break of 2 riders had a 30 second gap on the peleton. Sakonnet took control and lined up a train that was anchored by the on form Wiswell. For the final five laps it was all Sakonnet with Ferrero peeling off first, then Chauner and then Ruhl who put Wiswell in position to close the deal. David came close and finished just a wheel behind the two leaders for 3rd Place. Ruhl held his speed and nabbed fine 10th Place.
5/21 New England Criterium Throw Down Providence, RI
Lone Sakonnet rider Robbie Giannini made the trip up to Rhode Island for today’s New England criterium classic the “Throw Down”. “The race was fast and windy and had two technical turns.” said Giannini. Robbie made the break of six with twelve laps to go but was out numbered by the storied Boston CCB/Volkswagen club. Out numbered but undeterred Giannini went for the solo win and was just past at the line yet he kept 2nd Place.
For more information visit: www.skntcycling.com
