Cloudy skies and wind helped the Albertville Summer Games RR close out the Minnesota/NW Wisconsin road season. The race is held on a deceptively difficult 3.6 mile loop. There are a couple of gentle climbs, nothing that knocks you out, but with the relatively short loops they nibble at you. Coupled with a little wind they provide a course with little opportunity for recovery, and in 3 times running this race I've never had any trouble hand picking any finish.
The 1/2/3 race went hard from the gun. 5 riders had a gap before one mile of the 61 mile race had completed. With a prize list paying 5 deep, this early move was taken seriously by the field, but complicated by the inclusion of Loon State rider Dave Gabrys in the break. Loon State was the only team with significant numerical presence in the field. A chase group of 3 soon formed, consisting of Brendon Hale, Mat Moore, and Loon Stater Kevin Link. The chasers were not effective, and rejoined the pack after ~15 miles.
Meanwhile, the break worked smoothly together and the time gaps increased. One by one the chasing pack came to the conclusion that they were riding for their health and for no other reason, and lost motivation. Wayne Klatt was ejected from the leaders at ~10 miles to go, but by that time the chase pack was far out of sight and riding almost giddily. This left the remaining 4 to contest the sprint.
Dave Gabrys is 17 years old and won the 4/5 category at our spring race. His might be a name to watch for.
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