With the USACrits series winding down, teams took to the streets of West Chester, PA Â for the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium. Â The 0.6 mile, four corner rectangular course was lined with fans in this vibrant college town, with many restaurants providing additional tables along the barriers.
The day started much earlier in the morning for the amateur racers, as they competed in the Rothman Institute Amateur Cycling Trails. Top finishers were combined into a Cat 1/2/3/4, masters, and juniors race that kicked off the night. Thomas Detwiler (QCW-Breakaway Bikes) took the win over Adam Furlong (Philadelphia Bikesmith ) and Daniel Lehman (Colvita Racing)
Following the amateurs, the women took to the streets for the Avante Salon Pro Women’s Criterium. A break containing Amy Cutler (FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore), Kacey Lloyd (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13) Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom p/b Pink Siren Sports) and Mary Zider (Colavita-Fine Cooking). The breakaway caught the back end of the field as they crossed the line with one lap to go for the leaders, two for the field. Since everyone finishes on the lead lap, there was some confusion, but quick action by an observant Christina Birch (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13) got her sprinter Colleen Hayduk to the front to take the bunch sprint for fifth place. Van Gilder crossed the line to take the win, with Cutler, Lloyd, and Zider following close behind.
The Iron Hill Twilight Pro Men’s Criterium capped the night with two separate breakaways lapping the field by the end of the race. An early break that contained current national criterium champion Daniel Holloway (Athlete Octane Cycling), Bobby Lea (Custom Velo), Eric Workowski (Team Alliance Environmental), David Cueli (Team UnitedHealthcare/The 706 Project), Scott Thomas (L&M Group-Richoh New Zealand), and Kevin Mullervy (Champion Systems – Stan’s NoTubes) lapped the field with a little less than half the race left.
Another break led by Tim Rugg (Battley Ducati-Spokes Etc. p/b District Taco) caught the field with around 12 laps to go. Lea tried to make another move off the front, but the field would not let him go with only a few laps left. In the sprint, Holloway claimed the win, with Lea and David Cueli (Team United HealthCare / The 706 Project) rounding out the podium.
Winner of the Cat 3 race at the Rothman Institute Amateur Trials Ben Strine (Thru-It-All Cyling Team) leads the field towards the start/finish. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comAmateur racers head towards the finish from corner 4. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comAdam Furlong (Philadelphia Bikesmith) leads junior Tyler Nothstein (Team Alliance Environmental) in a breakaway that was reeled in before the finish. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comChristina Birch (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling/Vie13) keeps the mood light as the women stage for their race. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comLaura Jorgensen and Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) enjoy a laugh during call ups. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comMary Zilder (Colvita-Fine Cooking) was present at the front of the women’s race all day. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comMary Zilder (Colvita-Fine Cooking) leads the field down the back straight. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comJulie Kuliezca (Pepper Palace). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comCrowds line the streets during the women’s pro race. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comKacey Lloyd (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13) flies down the back straight in the breakaway. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comColleen Hayduk (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13 wins the bunch sprint for 5th. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comChad Andrews interviews Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) after her win. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comKacey Lloyd, Christina Birch, Colleen Hayduk, and Erin Wittwer (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13) after taking third and fifth on the night. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comRyan Rapolas (QCW-Breakaway Bikes) looks a little banged up early in the pro men’s race. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comLocal rider Eric Workowski (Team Alliance Environmental) was able to make the first successful breakaway of the night. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comBobby Lea (Custom Velo) leads the breakaway around corner two. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comDrew Christopher (Champion Systems) leads Kiwi rider Brad Evans (Calder Stewart NZ). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comThe Subaru WRX pace care gave VIP’s a tour of the track at race speeds. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comBobby Lea (Custom Velo) and Daniel Holloway (Athlete Octane Cycling) lead the field around corner two. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comBest U25 rider David Cueli (Team UnitedHealthcare/The 706 Project). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comDrew Christopher (Champion Systems) leads Tim Rugg (Battely Ducati/Spokes Etc.-District Taco) and Rafael Meran (CRCA Foundation) in the second breakaway of the day. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comRiders fly by turn one. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comBobby Lea (Custom Velo) leads through the start/finish. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comDaniel Holloway (Athlete Octane Cycling) bows as he takes the win ahead of Bobby Lea (Custom Velo) and laped rider Brad Evans (Calder Stewart NZ). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comAmy Cutler (FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore), Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) and Kacey Lloyd (Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy Cycling-Vie13) celebrate on the podium. FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. RestoreLaura Jorgensen (Mellow Mushroom) takes the podium for the overall series laps led. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.com
Laura Van Gilder and Laura Jorgensen (Mellow Mushroom p/b Pink Siren Sports) on the USACrits Series Overall Women’s Leaders. Missing is Erica Allar (Colvita-Fine Cooking). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comThe Iron Hill Twilight Criterium men’s podium: Bobby Lea (Custom Velo), Daniel Holloway (Athlete Octane Cycling), and David Cueli (Team United HealthCare/The 706 Project). Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comDavid Cueli (Team UnitedHealthcare/The 706 Project) leads the U25 series standings. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comDavid Cueli (Team UnitedHealthcare/The 706 Project) was no stranger to the podium, appearing again for as series Lap Leader. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.comThe USACrits Men’s Overall Leaders, David Cueli, Frank Travieso (Team UnitedHealthcare/The 706 Project), and David Guttenplan (SeaSucker/Guttenplan Coaching) enjoy beer from Iron Hill Brewery. According to USACrits.com though, Cueli is your series leader. Photo by ScottKingsleyPhotography.com
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years
