Bruckner Defends Jersey as T-Mobile Sweeps

Baldwin Breaks Through

SEVEN SPRINGS, Penn.  (May 21, 2003) --  Kimberly Bruckner (Boulder, CO T-Mobile.) rode to a repeat victory Wednesday at the 2003 USCF Elite Road National Champioships in Pennsylvania leading her T-Mobile team to an all-magenta podium.  Bruckner, 32, led the charge to victory with a blazing ride of 53.20 on the 34km course.  The Boulder resident utilized her efficient climbing skills throughout the hilly course to secure her third consecutive national championship jersey in the time trial event.

“My goal was to catch Tina (Mayolo-Pic). I could see the motorcycle as we were coming to the turnaround, so I had a motivator to help me keep it steady the whole time. I tried to keep a rhythmic tempo on the whole course,” said Bruckner. “ My goal was to win the time trial again this year so now the pressure is off- we’ll see what happens tomorrow in the road race.”

Riders were greeted to cool and damp conditions as temperatures just barely hung in the 50’s throughout the morning.  With no measurable wind, competitors found the short and steep hills in Laurel Hill State Park manageable but challenging nonetheless.

Dede Barry (Boulder, CO  T-Mobile) followed Bruckner for second-place in 53.45.  Amber Neben (Irvine, CA T-Mobile) rode to a 53.54 for the third spot with teammates Kristin Armstrong (Boise, ID) and Katrina Grove (Fort Collins, CO) taking fourth and fifth respectively in 54.37 and 55.26.

Neben, second at last year’s championship event summed up the strength of the team’s performance. “I’m so excited we swept, we have such a talented squad, so it feels really good to have T-Mobile in all five podium spots for a national championship.”

Coach Jim Miller was also pleased with the team’s performance. “Dede did a really great job- she just flew in from Spain Tuesday morning at 3:30 a.m. and basically got right up to speed for today’s race,” noted Miller. “She hasn’t raced since Sea Otter, so her ride today is a testament to her training and her ability to focus.”

Barry added- “I was able to get in a lot of really good riding in Spain over the last two weeks, so it’s been good for me.  I got back from Spain pretty late Monday night so my legs actually felt kind of full but by the last 10k I felt really good and I was enjoying the ride.”

The Elite men’s competition proved to be a little less lopsided as four of the major U.S. teams were represented by the five man podium led by Chris Baldwin (Boulder, CO Navigators) who took the top spot ahead of Tom Danielson (Durango, CO Saturn).  Without former US Postal rider, Dylan Casey, present to defend his title from last year due to retirement, the Elite men’s field was sure to crown a new U.S. National Time Trial Champion.  All eyes were on last year’s runner-up, Chris Horner (Bend, OR Saturn), who has enjoyed a highly successful early season, and former U-23 World Time Trial Champion, Danny Pate (Colorado Springs, CO  Prime Alliance)  Former U.S. Time Trial Champion, Adham Sbeih, and Danielson were also odds on favorites to compete for the title, but in the end it proved to be Baldwin’s turn to shine.

On a cold and wet early morning, all riders had their work cut out for them on the same 34 kilometer, constantly rolling circuit that, on paper, favored the more technical time trialists.  With 67 riders starting, it wasn’t until the last dozen started when the real competition began to materialize.  Jason McCartney (Coralville, IA 7-UP Maxxis) posted a 47:42 to become the temporary leader, shaving .02 second off his teammate, John Leiswyn’s (Ames, IA) time. 

One by one, the threats to McCartney’s lead continued as strong riders such as Pate, Horner, and Jonathon Vaughters, (Denver, CO  Prime Alliance) left the start gate, but none were able to match up to McCartney until Danielson came along and posted a 47:38.  It looked like that would be the winning time, until Baldwin, second to last out of the gate, blazed across the line shattering Danielson’s time and becoming the 2003 U.S. National Time Trial Champion with the day’s only sub 47 second performance at 46:56.

Baldwin, inspired by his fiancé’s victory earlier in the day, had a couple of mechanical problems, that ironically may have contributed to his victory.  “Just before the race, my front derailleur broke, so my mechanic, Mike, took the one off my road bike and put in on my TT bike.  Once I started I was still having problems shifting, and I ended up riding the whole thing in my 55.”  A little surprised at his victory, Baldwin noted “I didn’t feel good, I thought absolutely for sure Horner would take it, this course isn’t that good for me, it’s extremely fast and favored someone that is very technical.”  Referring to his and Bruckner’s titles, “It’s like a fairy tale.”

Magen Long (Oklahoma City, OK) clinched the Women’s Espoir race posting a 59:36 as the time to beat. Saturn’s Megan Elliott (Tama, Iowa) followed in 1:00.08 for second with Lauren Franges (Barto, Pa.) securing third in 1:00.42.  Allie Warfel (Orefield, Pa.) rode to fourth in 1:04.11.  T-Mobile’s Sarah Hammer (Temecula, CA) finished fifth in 1:04.51.

Tomorrow’s road race action begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Women’s Elite National Championship Road Race. The men’s race begins at 1:00 p.m. The women will ride 3 laps of the 44 km course while the men will ride four laps for a total of 178 km.