Tennessee Para-Cycling Open Recap

👤Ken Bestine 📁 Featured News, Slider, Sports 🕔01.July 2016

In the shadow of the Cumberland Mountains race director and accomplished cyclist Craig Miller envisioned a race that would challenge and promote para cyclist athleticism. I can say first hand his vision became reality.

The weekend started with a 12.2 mile TT. Achilles sponsored athlete Tom Davis came, saw and went real, real, real fast! This was his final test of equipment and effort before the Olympic trials in North Carolina. His quiet approach and “my results speak for me” personality have earned the respect of his competitors worldwide.

Saturday afternoon hosted the criterium. The challenging course showcased a 180 degree turn proved to be popular with racers. Surprising to most the race went without incident even with the technical nature of the corners. My SRM Power Control 7 read 99 degrees for a race temperature that afternoon. Its German made which suggests it’s accurate. When racing however numbers do not accurately describe the heat. I prefer a more creative malediction whispered in my mind while seeing stars and the front bumper of the person in front of me. Todd Richardson in H3 used just the right amount of energy at the right times to sprint out a victory ahead of Adam Finney. H2 found Tom Morris first with Brian Muscarella second. H4 had Mary Free bed’s Brad Bauman leading the group. Dane Pilon in H5 cruised to an easy victory while Colorado’s Sarah Donson won WH4. H1 James Dubose braved the heat and rolled to podium and 1^st place.

The RR on Sunday was 36 miles. Racers were still recovering from the trials of the day before. Quickly in the first three miles of climbing each competitor would have a detailed read on how they’ve recovered from Saturday’s racing. Pilon lead the group up the first climb which was expected. By the top a quick attack found Richardson off the front with Bestine and Finney. This group would stay together until the final few miles. Richardson out lasted Finney and Bestine to take first with a time under 1:38. Brad Bauman took first in H4 while in the two lap version Tom Morris won H2 and Dubose won H1. Donson and Pilon both toped their divisions.