Past News - MOUNTAINBIKERACER.com

Tour de Crofton Race Report:
August 28, 1999

     Three riders flying the blue and gold colors of Wooden Wheels competed in the Tour de Crofton circuit race. Justin Thompson (who competed in two races today), John Caltuna, and Marc Vettori all competed in the tough cat 4/5 race. The field was the largest I have every been in for a road race, with over 100 starters.
      Although the race was labeled a circuit race, it had a crit feel. With no real climbs, or corners there was no opportunity for any breakaways. We raced for a little over 25 miles. Four teams stayed at the front as the large starting group was cut in half after the second lap.
      Java Shack (25 riders), Chesapeake Wheelman (18 riders), Metropolis (10 riders), and Wooden Wheels (3 riders) battled for control each sending riders out trying to break away, but no team was successful. These four teams battled at the front trying to control the race.
      On the final lap John Caltuna made a strong break for the front, and it was what I thought would be the decisive move. Unfortunately, the move may have been a ½ mile too early. John just missed finishing up with the gold. John’s move did allow Justin and myself to again move right to the front, and as the race finished there were only 8 men ahead of Justin and I. This race was very fun and very fast. The average race speed was 26 miles per hour.
      In the morning junior race, Justin Thompson dominated the field and broke away to a solo victory.
      Side note; One of the coolest moments of the day was after the race when Katie, Diane, Just, John and I were relaxing beneath a tree. The guy from Bike doctor, who was in a huge crash, came up to us and was talking about his race. He looks at Katie and says, "I don't really care about the road stuff, I'm a mountain biker like you...." Katie smiled and said later that this was the first time she has been called a dirt girl in a road race. She is much more used to being the roadie at dirt races... :)