RACE REPORT
Superior Bike Fest, Marquette, MI
June 23, 2006
The Priority Health Women's squad made their mark in the U.P. at the Superior Bike Festival in Marquette, Michigan. SBF offers the best courses in the state both on and off road. The weekend began with a twighlight criterium in downtown Marquette. A break quickly formed and Cheryl and Laura were in it. Sarah set pace for the field allowing Cheryl and Laura to stay away and finish 2nd and 3rd.
The weekend of racing continued Saturday with an 88 mile road race. The course was very challenging as men and women race together and the toughest climb on the course is about 5 miles into the race. Leslie Gaines easily climbed the big hill staying with the only girl in front of the team. Leslie patiently rode with her until the rest of the team would catch up by way of a wicked pace-line of about 20 or so riders. Although the woman Leslie challenged (up the climb) had 2 men assisting her, her many attacks would not succeed and she would be forced to return to the group each time. Unfortunately after several hours of hard riding, Laura would flat and have to wait for the sweep car. In the final climb heading back into Marquette, an attack was launched by several men in the group. To ensure a green podium, Cheryl sat up allowing a gap behind Sarah and both Sarah and Leslie rode away securing first and second place. Amy and Cheryl were able to comfortably coast in while the others worked tirelessly to catch the break. With the competition completely exhausted, Amy and Cheryl would take the 3rd and 4th women's positions and Priority Health would sweep the podium.
The final day of racing was a 24 mile mountain bike race at Marquette Mountain. This course is by far the most difficult in Michigan and rivals that of many National level mountain bike courses. The course is technical and the climbing plentiful. Amy and Cheryl would be the only 2 finishers in the race that competed in the 88 mile road race the day before (all others saved it up for this one race). Amy didn't recognize her own legs, they went up hill so fast! Amy would take the "Best of Both" award finishing second and Cheryl would finish 4th for the day.
