July 1-4, 2010
Team: Josh Dillon, Justin Lindine, Thom Coupe, Alister Ratcliff, Will Goodfellow, Steve Weller, Jerome Townsend, and Luke Keough
Results:
Stage 1, Circuit Race: Luke Keough 8th
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/fitchburg-longsjo-classic-ne/stage-1/results
Stage 2, Road Race: Josh Dillon 24th
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/fitchburg-longsjo-classic-ne/stage-2/results
Stage 4, Criterium: Luke Keough 9th
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/fitchburg-longsjo-classic-ne/stage-4/results
The Fitburg Longjo Classic has always been one of the most important events on this amateur program’s calendar. Being a team consisting entirely of riders from the North-East, it is an opportunity to race with the best in the country on home soil. This year’s edition did not disappoint. Kelly Benefits, Bissell, Flying V, Jamis and Garmin were all present for the four days of 90 degree plus racing.
Circuit Race- The team was active right from the gun. Rotating duty to cover the dangerous moves, Justin, Will, Josh, Thom, Jerome and Alister were vigilant to be represented in each of the moves in the first half of the race. When the race came down to a group finish, Luke was waiting in the wings to put in a solid sprint. He was 8th overall on the day and the first U23 rider.
Road Race- Without the opening time trial to begin to sort out the GC, the Road Race was wide open. As a result it was raced aggressively from start to finish, each team hoping to grab control in the overall. Team BikeReg.com / Cannondale anticipated this and made it a point to be represented in every move. For the first couple of laps the race stayed compact with only a few threatening moves rolling off the front. Six of our teams eight riders did well to cover each of the early moves. Thom was in reserve for late race break duty and Luke was holding back for a group finish. (The race no longer features the Wachusett finishing climb. It now finishes in the center of West Princeton.) About half way through the race, Josh Dillon initiated a move that ended up being the winning break. He was joined by a dozen riders with another dozen to bridge across two laps later. Will Goodfellow was in the third chase group that finished in between the pack and the break. Josh was dropped by the lead group on the final KOM climb to finish on his own a few minutes down.
Criterium- With half of the team not participating due to a car accident the evening before, Will, Justin, Steve and Luke were on their own to produce a top finish for the team. It was another hot day for the guys and feeding was allowed. Luke was in reserves for the sprint finish after his result on Stage 1 as well as his recent 4th place at U23 criterium National Championships in Bend, OR. Will, Steve and Justin traded off covering moves in the first half of the race. A move went at mile 35 of 55 with six riders. Will kept himself near the front looking to jump across with the next bridging group, but it never went. Kelly Benefits took over the front of the race and kept the break at 25 seconds until 7 miles to go. The race was back together at 4 miles to go and Luke and Will were well positioned at the front of the race for the sprint. Will did a good job to keep Luke near the front and out of the wind. After taking a few risks in the last two corners, Luke finished the sprint in 9th place. His second top 10 in four days.
