Ronde Ohop: Results + Report + WACup Standings

4th Ronde Ohop Kermesse
Eatonville, Washington USA
February 25, 2006

Sweet Vengeance: Gallagher Dominates
One year after placing 2nd and 3rd at the Ronde Ohop as The Valley, Team Bobs-Bicycles.com avenged itself by launching Mike Gallagher on a dominate ride to win the 2007 Ronde Ohop. By winning the first race of the Washington State cycling season, Gallagher also claims the first Washington Cup leader’s jersey of 2007.

How it unfolded
Despite predictions of snow, drizzling rain, freezing temperatures, unbearable crosswinds and cyclocross course conditions a solid field including last years podium lined up ready for a long day in the saddle. Team Bobs-Bicycles.com and AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports set tempo from the start trading turns at the front to ensure their strong riders made the base of the Muur d’ Mashell in the front. Unlike previous years, most riders opted for modified cyclocross bikes with road gearing and slick tries. That choice proved wise from the start as riders struggled up a slick and rough climb. Many riders lost contact with the lead group immediately.

Team Bobs-Bicycles.com wasted no time attacking the field on the road section and formed an elite lead group with Rob Campbell, Derik Archibald, Michael Gallagher (Team Bobs-Bicycles.com), Michael Emde, Lang Reynolds, Mark Knokey (AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports), Michael Gaertiner (Vertical Earth) and Todd Gallaher (AVA / Counterbalance). An untimely mechanical by Knokey tipped the balance of power to Team Bobs-Bicycles who countered a move by Emde and Archibald to whittle the lead group down to Reynolds, Campbell, Archibald and Gallagher with Emde chasing just behind. In the field, Hofeldt futily drove the chase to join his outnumbered team-mate.

Caught out alone and unaware that Emde was slowly coming back to the lead group, Reynolds set tempo hoping to discourage attacks his breakaway companions. Gallagher would have none of that, and attacked solo to go clear by several minutes and lapping most of the field. While Archibald faded, Emde was able to rejoin and then counter Reynolds and Campbell. Campbell, having taken advantage of his team’s numerical superiority to conserve energy answered Emde and took 2nd. In his first Ronde Ohop, Reynolds capped off an excellent ride to finish 4th.

Results Category 1/2/3 – 20 laps (40 miles)
1 Mike Gallagher Team Bobs-Bicycles.com
2 Rob Campbell Team Bobs-Bicycles.com
3 Michael Emde Axley USA/Seigler Sports
4 Lang Reynolds Axley USA/Seigler Sports
5 Michael Gaertiner Vertical Earth
6 Derek Archbald Team Bobs-Bicycles.com
7 Todd Gallaher (M) Ava/Counterbalance
8 Justin Hofeldt Vertical Earth
9 James Strangeland Wines of Washington
10 Eric Kapfhammer Axley USA/Seigler Sports
11 Shawn Ongers Axley USA/Seigler Sports
12 Martin Criminale (M) ByrneInvent
13 Mark Knokey Axley USA/Seigler Sports
14 Jason Hobson
15 Michael Pruitt Axley USA/Seigler Sports
16 Paul Nelson Axley USA/Seigler Sports
17 Walt Nestall Old Town
18 Ted Chauvin Hagens-Berman
19 Craig Graecyacny (M) Axley USA/Seigler Sports
20 Damon Pettinger (M) Calfornia Giants


Results: Womens - 15 laps (30 miles)
1 Kari Bolton Avanti/Ti Cycles
2 Allison Beall Avanti/Ti Cycles
3 Lee Smith Team Group Health


Results: Cat 3/4/5 – 15 laps (30 miles)
1 Seth Holton Ava/Counterbalance
2 Pete Banko Avanti/Ti Cycles
3 Daniel Stadley Spokane Rocket Velo
4 Glenn Powell Fanatic Bike Co
5 Dan Davidson Avanti/Ti Cycles
6 Ryan Bibko ASC Junior/Axley USA
7 Jeff Evans Axley USA/Spoke and Sproket
8 David Volkert Axley USA/Spoke and Sproket
9 Brett Clothier Sharman
10 Zachary Jones Axley USA/Spoke and Sproket
11 Kurt Litsinger Avanti/Ti Cycles
12 Matt Swanson Axley USA/Spoke and Sproket
13 Bernie Hayden Ava/Counterbalance
14 Nolan Hayden Ava/Counterbalance


Washington Cup Standings after 1 Round

Cat 1 - 2
1 Mike Gallagher - Team Bobs-Bicycles.com 100
2 Rob Campbell - Team Bobs-Bicycles.com 75
3 Michael Emde - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 60
4 Lang Reynolds - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 50
5 Michael Gaertiner - Vertical Earth 45
6 Derek Archbald - - Team Bobs-Bicycles.com 40
7 Justin Hofeldt - Vertical Earth 35
8 James Strangeland - Wines of Washington 30
9 Eric Kapfhammer - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 25
10 Shawn Ongers - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 20
11 Mark Knokey - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 19
12 Jason Hobson 18
13 Michael Pruitt - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 17
14 Paul Nelson - Hagens Berman 16
15 Walt Nestall - Old Town Bicycles 15
16 Ted Chauvin - Hagens-Berman 14

Masters
1 Todd Gallaher - AVA / Counterbalance 100
2 Martin Criminale - Byrne's Specialty Gas 75
3 Craig Graecyacny - AxleyUSA.com p/b Seigler Sports 60
4 Damon Pettinger - California Giant 50

Womens Cat 1-2-3
1 Kari Bolton (Avanti / TiCycles) 100
2 Allison Beall (Avanti / TiCycles) 75
3 Lee Smith (Group Health)
60

For Washington Cup Series information please visit www.bikecafe.net/nw or www.wsbaracing.com


*note: there have been some questions about placing. The results were posted, and by USCF regulations, the riders had 15 minutes to protest. Once they are posted for 15 minutes, they are official. If you feel strongly that your result is wrong, contact me and I will forward to the officials.