Written by: Admin

Four Powerade/IFs headed to eastern Iowa to compete at the State Criterium Championship in downtown Cedar Rapids on Saturday, June 26th. Conditions were hot and muggy with a southeast wind around 10mph.

The field in the combined 30+/40+ race was a lot smaller than last year with only 26 riders making the start but most of them were 1's and 2's. Jared Osterloh (Zealous) was 30+ State Champ and Paul Denniger (Velosport) was the 40+ winner. Bob Greigg was 8th in the small 40+ group.

Jeff Kluck was 13th in the Cat 3 race that was won by Brendan Kealey (Mercy/Specialized).

The throttle was wide open on the first lap of the 1/2 race and the fireworks would continue throughout the 40-lap contest. Various riders would go, small groups would form but the combinations were never right or organized enough to hold back the hungry chasers. Finally, a 4-man group escaped late in the race and looked as if they might make it to the line but were finally reeled in with only 2 laps to go.

It looked to be a sure field sprint until recently upgraded Cat 2 Derek Cassiday (Bikes to You) launched with 1/2 a lap to go with Adam Price (Mercy) in hot pursuit. He couldn't get close enough to challenge Cassiday who had time to celebrate as the field came charging in just after Price crossed in 2nd. Jon Nelson was 11th. Clark Priebe DNF with only 3 laps or so to go.

Jon and Jeff were the only PIFs to race on Sunday at Squaw Creek Park in the combined 1/2 plus 3, twenty-lap circuit. Jeff won the Cat 3 race after jumping into a break with Jared Osterloh (Zealous) and Dewey Dickey (Mercy). They powered away and worked together until the end with Osterloh taking the 1/2 win. Jon DNF.

Jeff's account:
"The course was 1.8 miles in length and had a good hill with some fun corners and a great downhill. So, for being a short course it packed a nice variety of terrain. It started out mellow and stayed together for the early laps and then you could tell people were getting anxious and wanted to race their bikes. The climbing section of the course was where the pace usually heated up but always came back together on a couple tricky corners and a false flat before the downhill. Attacks were made early but there was never a clear break or cohesive group that formed. I tried to race in the front to stay away from gaps that developed. Jared Osterloh was aggressive and attacked several times as did Dewey Dickey. Eventually, Jared went on the climb and I followed with Dewey. There were some others that followed but eventually it was down to Jared, Dewey and myself in the break. We worked well together and kept the pace up and it was nice to get into a good rhythm with two other riders. We kept it up for 5 to 6 laps and had a clear shot to the finish. I enjoyed the race, had a great time and gained extremely valuable experience in a field full of good Cat 1, 2, and 3 riders." -Posted 6/29/10