While a large portion of our cycling team was volunteering their time and efforts at the 8th annual KCK West Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo, Big D Cycling saw 11 of its racers attend the Midwest Masters Cycling Team 2-Day Road Race in Salina, KS, on Saturday, May 17.
Cool temperatures prevailed at the start of the race, while light winds swept across the plains. The Men Masters 60+ and Women Masters 50+ fields navigated a 30-mile, out-and-back course, while the other racers were challenged with rolling hills and long flats along a 63-mile road course.
Alex Brizuela continued his winning ways after having a mechanical issue at the Joseph Sheehan Road Race. He nabbed the top spot on the podium in his Men’s Category 4 race.
Josie Measures was faced with working against three Free State Racing cyclists in her 30-mile race to earn a spot on the podium. She was able to get second in the Women Masters 50+ KBAR category.
Donavon Hottman, Frank Quinlan, and Bill Wells enjoyed a great race, earning fourth, sixth, and seventh place, respectively, in the KBAR category for Men Masters 65+.
Our largest group competed in the Men Masters 40+ and 50+ categories, which was also combined with the Men Cat 1/2/3 racers, due to their limited field. A well-timed breakaway by two competitors spoiled the plans for the team to get someone on the podium. The race, unfortunately, was marred by a crash near the finish line, sending Greg Vaught and Dan Ruettimann to the pavement. Each of them was able to get up and finish the race, but it ruined what was shaping up to be good races for each of them.
Joe Kleidosty, Kurt Wilson, and Leo Simbaqueva put in a lot of work at the front of the peloton, earning fifth, sixth, and seventh place finishes, respectively, in the Men Masters 40+ category. Jim Clevenger earned third place in the Men Masters 50+ Category, evidence that his form is starting to come back from his bad wreck at the Spring Fling criterium race earlier this year.
Shawn Knight continued to work on his criterium racing skills and raced the Men Masters 40+ category on Sunday, May 18. He was able to earn a fourth place finish while working alone and against two larger teams within the race.