Results from Race #14, the final race of the criterium series are here and posted with USA Cycling.  A memorable evening to end the seventh annual event!

The final race in the Gateway Tire & Service Criterium Race Series at LP Field was a memorable evening that Middle Tennessee cyclists will not soon forget.  We offered another new course that included a more sweeping 180 degree turn, which received rave reviews from everyone.  Field sizes were large keeping the speed high at all times, and the many fans in attendance helped to create an exciting atmosphere.  We had 112 total participants in the four races offered, plus 100+ lining the course cheering in perfect weather conditions.  Throw in music from DJ Modo from Cumberland Transit, some free Whitt's BBQ and the Yazoo kegs of beer from Harpeth Bicycles and it's no wonder everyone was in such great spirits! 

The Women/1/2/3/4 race had a 5 lady breakaway that saw Jessica Owings of SVMIC Cycling take in a sprint, just ahead of Cali Ewing of Team Belladium.  The Cat 5 field came down to a drag race on the final two laps, but Jon Cherry of Team Biker's Choice rode away on the final lap.  Billy Wood of Team Biker's Choice and Lonnie Puterbaugh of Harpeth Bicycles Racing went wheel-to-wheel in the sprint for 2nd, but Wood got the best of Puterbaugh in the final 50 meters.

The Cat 4 race came down to a pack sprint as well with omnium champion Joe Grubbs of Team Biker's Choice taking the victory.  This was Grubbs' fourth victory in a row and sixth overall in the series!  The Pro/1/2/3 race was a slugfest from the gun.  A constant flurry of attacks were not able to materialize as it came down to a bunch sprint in the end.  Tommy Schubert of Tri State Velo took the sprint victory ahead of Dustin Greer of Maxxis and Tanner Hurst of Team Biker's Choice.  Along with Hurst, Schubert will be racing for the Cumberland University cycling team as a freshman this year, which bodes well for the future of CU cycling!

Words Go Here Results of FINAL Race #14 - HERE at USA Cycling

Congratulations to the following Words Go Here podium winners:

Category 5  - 30 starters
1st - Jon Cherry of Team Biker's Choice
2nd - Billy Wood of Team Biker's Choice
3rd - Lonnie Puterbaugh of Harpeth Bicycles Racing

Category 4  - 32 starters
1st - Joe Grubbs of Team Biker's Choice
2nd - Jeff Treuden of Trace Bikes
3rd - David Bradbury of Team Gran Fondo

Women 1-4  - 18 starters
1st - Jessica Owings of SVMIC Cycling
2nd - Cali Ewing of Team Belladium
3rd - Kathy Mead of SVMIC Cycling

Pro/1/2/3 - 30 starters
1st - Tommy Schubert of Tri State Velo
2nd - Dustin Greer of Maxxis
3rd - Tanner Hurst of Team Biker's Choice

Usually at this point I remind you of our next race, but sadly Race #14 was the final race of 2011.  We had our most successful year ever, and I owe it all to the amazing sponsors, dedicated racers, and supportive fans for making it memorable every single week.  Thanks again for your well wishes and kind words - it means more to me than you will ever know.  There is nothing more rewarding than pouring your heart and soul into something and having it come back to you tenfold.

I am already looking forward to our eighth season in 2012!