Dietrich and Wong Make the Break in Somerville New Jersey – May 30th

This dead flat sprinter’s race has always been a challenge for the Fiordifrutta squad, since we always prefer the hillier races. But this year, Phil Wong and Mike Dietrich make it into the winning break at the end of this race. A strong team including Perera, Hamblen, Cody, Gewirtz, and Timmerman had covered many moves throughout the day, but Dietrich and Wong finally got away to finish 5th and 8th in this NRC event.

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Huseby Wins Somerville Criterium – Category II race – May 30th

Whitey and I both signed up for the Category II race in Somerville, New Jersey at the nations oldest bicycle race. We also had a big team of boys ready to duke it out in the Pro/I field later in the day. Whitey and I had checked out the just over mile long course and found that a break would not stay away and a field sprint would surely be the way this race would end. There were not many teams in the race that had a big group of guys although there were over 100 starters on the line. We decided we might try for a prime or two, but that we would both try to save it for the end. Several moves tried to get away early. Whitey did a great job covering many of these moves and I remained patient for the finish. The course was choppy in some sections and we had to be very aware in the corners so as not to go down. Going into the last lap, we knew we had to be in the top 10 coming through the last couple of corners. Whitey was 3rd or 4th wheel and I was sitting right about 10th. The Green Goblins from Louis Garneau were trying to lead out one of their guys and I moved up using their train as a sling shot. I then made my move. I thought for sure someone was going to come around me, but I held on and managed to win by over a bike length.

Fiordifrutta 2nd, 3rd, 4th, at Hartford Criterium in New Britain, CT – May 29th

We had a strong showing here with a 5 man team – Huseby, White, Gewirtz, Cody, and Peck. There was a healthy field and a pretty sizeable prize purse, so we knew we had an opportunity for a good reward at the end of the day. Our plan was to try to keep the race from ending in a field sprint. Cody and Huseby both knew they could be there in the end, but we didn’t want to leave it to that if at all possible. We launched attacks one after another for the short 30 lap race. Whitey got in a move early on, and nabbed a prime. Shortly there after Huseby made one stick for two or three laps and then a couple of guys bridged up including teammate Gewirtz. They were able to keep it rolling for another prime and then were swallowed by the field.

At this point, Peck – with a full family watching and baby Anna’s first bicycle race experience - launched a sharp attack that dragged a few along with him. They remained off the front for a short period and the closing laps approached quickly with the field together. The race started swarming with the pack altogether as White and Peck kept the boys near the front. Coming into the last corner a big crash occurred, but Cody, Gewirtz, and Husebey were all up front and narrowly escaped the carnage. Field sprint specialist Adam Hodges Myerson, once again bested us, but we followed right behind, with Cody in 2nd, Huseby 3rd and Gewirtz 4th.

Dietrich Top Amateur Overall at Tour of CT, May 20-22

Fiordifrutta put in a strong showing in their home base of Connecticut, with the whole team riding powerfully in the three day event. Friday’s criterium in New Haven saw Fiordifrutta present at the front of the race, with Chris Rozdilsky and Josh Gewirtz covering many moves. Dan Timmerman got squeezed out in the sprint, but finished next to Dietrich inside the top twenty.

Saturday’s stage is probably the toughest circuit race in US racing, with a huge climb on each of the 15 laps for 8000 ft of climbing over 60 miles. Fiordifrutta riders stuck it out in the front group for most of the day, with Dietrich and Hamblen finishing 8th and 18th. Wong and Timmerman also climbed well and finished in the top 40.

Sunday’s 134 mile stage in cold, windy weather was a tough finish to this year’s event, and Fiordifrutta delivered Mike Dietrich to a strong finish in the front group to hold onto 9th place overall as the top amateur rider. Dietrich had flatted early in the stage, but with the help of Jon Hamblen and Johs Huseby, he was able to return to the field after a 15 minute team time trial effort. Wong, Timmerman, and Matt White also put in an great effort, with five Fiordifrutta riders making it to the finishing circuit in the front group after 115 miles.

You can read complete coverage on cyclingnews.com

Tour of Shenandoah, April 27 – May 1

While some of the team raced in Tour of the Gila out west, the east coast Fiordifrutta riders took on a great stage race down south. Matt White finished 10th Overall, while Hamblen, Cody, and White all made the podium for stage finishes

Stage 1 TT
Uphill time trial on Massanuten Mtn near Harrisonburg, VA. About 3 miles long, mostly uphill, the last 1.5 miles was steep. Fiordifrutta's three man squad of Mike Cody, Matt White, and Jonny Hamblen did their best to climb the hill as fast as they could. It wasn't fast enough, though, with Hamblen ending up 9th on the day.

Hamblen 3rd and Cody 4th in Stage 2 Harrisonburg Criterium
The second stage of this double stage day took place in historic Harrisonburg, the gem of the Shenandoah Valley. A super fast three corner criterium, the FdF boys launched many attacks throughout the race until Hamblen got away with two other riders with only eight laps remaining. Jon forgot his sprinting legs and his mechanic skills and was stuck sprinting in the 13... not enough gear to win on the fast finish stretch. Mike Cody had a much better day, taking the field sprint for 4th on the stage.

White 2nd in Stage 3 Staunton to Homestead
A 70 something mile jaunt from Beautiful Staunton into the hills of the valley and up one climb before descending towards the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. The day was uneventful until the last 15 miles when the climb started. Fdf's Hamblen took the reins and led up the climb, snatching the KOM. On the way into Hot Springs Matt White left the bunch with a TIAA CREF rider and stayed out until the finish. With little knowledge of the race course and no radio to help him, Whitey was at a disadvantage to the TIAA rider. Matt ended up getting 2nd on the day and Jon sprinted in for 4th.

Stage 4 Homestead to Bedford
The longest day of the Tour at 102 miles brought cold rain for our three riders. The first climb out of Homestead woke up the legs, and warmed up riders, while the descent froze us solid again. At the base of descent the early break went away including our own Michael Cody. The field poked along for the next 60 miles and over the next 2 major climbs. Ten miles from the base of the final climb, the big climb, most of the break was back in the field and the pace picked up to try to catch the solo TIAA-CREF rider. As the ascent begin Jon Hamblen put in a vicious attack, but the cold had got the best of him, and he quickly realized that his pace would not continue. This left Matt White as the days strongest finisher, making the second group over the climb and descending into the town of Bedford, sprinting in for 15th place, and climbing a little higher in the overall.

Hamblen 3rd at Meadowmont Criterium Chapel Hill, NC, April 30th

After having quit the Tour of Shenandoah the previous day due to terribly cold rain, warm weather rider Jon Hamblen drove down to Chapel Hill for the Meadowmont Crit, held in the planned neighborhood of Meadowmont. Jon launched early in the race with Jon Wirsing (Snow Valley), Geri Mewitt( Hincapie Sports), Rafael Urzedowski (Navigators), A.T. Stamp (Hincapie Sports), and Shane Martin (Charlotte Sports). The group worked well together until Jon and Jon started attacking with about 10 laps to go. This dropped two riders and left a four man group, which lapped the field in the last 3 laps.

The Hincapie Sports team had the sheer numbers for a lead out and took the race around the last lap with Wirsing and Hamblen in tow. In the last corner Wirsing made a move on the inside of Geri and was met with a big meaty thigh, he managed to stay up but the two swerving riders pushed Hamblen to the outside of the corner. Hamblen couldn't regain speed and ended up 3rd.

Gewirtz 2nd and Cody 5th at Collegiate National Criterium Championships, May 13th

Fiordifrutta had three riders participating in the Collegiate National Championships in Lawrence, Kansas. Mike Dietrich, Josh Gewirtz, and Mike Cody all traveled to the center of the nation, where based on the size of their schools, Dietrich and Cody participated in the Division 1 races, and Gewirtz was involved in the Division 2 races.

Fiordifrutta riders had the most success in the criterium where Gewirtz avoided last lap crashes and sprinted to a photo finish second place! Cody also made the podium in his criterium with a 5th place finish in the massive field sprint.

Wong 2nd at North Stonington Cycling Classic, May 15

After a rest week from his top 10 performance at the NRC Tour of the Gila event, Phil Wong joined Matt White and Chris Peck in Connecticut for a tune-up race before the Tour of CT. White got away early in the day, and then Wong bridged up solo for a total of five riders off the front. These five worked well together until late in the race when the group split, and White ended up in the second group. Wong was narrowly out-sprinted for the win, with White in fifth, and Peck taking 3rd in the field sprint for 8th.

Tour of the Gila, April 27th - May 1st
Fiordifrutta 3rd on Team GC, Wong 7th Overall, Timmerman Podiums in the Criterium

This was the last race in the Southwest before the boys headed home, and was also on the National Racing Calendar which ensured a very competitive field of riders. Larry Perera, despite being sick, joined Rozdilsky, Timmerman, Dietrich and Wong for this 5 day stage race. Taking place in Silver City, New Mexico this race promised to be a tough one with plenty of wind and elevation.

Wong 7th in Stage 1: Tyrone Individual Time Trial-16.15 miles

This day took place in the late afternoon to ensure there would be plenty of ripping winds. The course is an out and back held on rolling terrain with a gradual climb right out of the blocks. Today the wind decided to hit us with a cross headwind on the way out, which meant the last downhill would be a fast one. It was looking like times were all around 40 minutes for this brutal TT.
In the end, using a 56t chain ring for the downhill, Wong set the top time for the team with a 37:57. It was good enough for 7th place and 1:15 behind winner Ryan Blyckem(Trek/VW). The rest of the boys were not far behind with Timmerman in 23rd and Dietrich in 24th.

Wong and Dietrich Top 10 in Stage 2: Silver City to Mogollon Road Race-94 miles

It was decided today to try and sit in and relax for the final climb. This tactic was suggested by Perera, but he took one for the team and represented Fiordifrutta in the long break. Other than that the day was pretty uneventful until the last 15 miles. This allowed everyone to try and relax while Landis Trek/VW did a great job riding tempo. As the infamous Mogollon climb started to approach the peloton started to fight for position to prepare for this climb, which is 10 miles in length and rises to around 7000 feet. Rozdilsky did an excellent job of keeping Wong and Dietrich in position for the final climb.

As the pack took a final turn onto the finishing climb it seemed like there was going to be a field sprint by the way people were fighting. Then finally there was a big crash which was bound to happen. Unfortunately it took out Wong who was near the front but was still effected. The problem was his bike slid off the road and down an embankment. After climbing down and back up to the road he could see the GC contenders 20-30 seconds up the road. Fortunately Dietrich waited and helped him chase back on. By the time they caught on the attacks started to fly. Two Mexican Tecos riders just blasted off up the hill.

The boys could feel the altitude as it was very hard to recover after maxing out chasing back on. The small group was in pieces. The two Tecos riders ended up going 1-2 even putting a gap on the very strong Ivan Stevic(Aerospace) and Burke Swindlehurst(Seasilver). Wong ended the day with 7th a minute back from the Mexicans and 20 seconds from the remaining few. Dietrich came in 9th at 30 seconds behind Wong.

Wong 10th in Stage 3: Fort Baynard Road Race-80 miles

With Wong still in 7th on GC and Dietrich and Timmerman moving into the top 20, it was decided to ride today conservatively and just watch the top guys. Today featured a rolling course (up to 7500 ft) with a few big climbs and a flat finish. The main talk though was of the crazy steep downhill with many switchbacks and blind corners. This chilly day started with four Fiordifruttas as Perera was lost due to his sickness and forced to abandon. But he is a team player and decided to help out with the feed zones.

The pace was fast from the gun today with a 3rd category climb just 10 miles in, which was immediately followed by another 3rd category climb. No serious break ever got away at this point since Bajadali's Vitamin Cottage team rode a hard tempo to protect his new leaders jersey. The second 3rd category climb led us to the crazy downhill which was complete with gravel in the corners. Todd Wells (GT-Hyundai) put a gap into the field because of his bike handling abilities.

Timmerman, who was not to be out done, went with him and the two drifted their road bikes around the corners and put 30 seconds on the field by the bottom. It was crazy to watch. Their advantage was short lived since Wells was a high placed GC rider. From here on the pack stayed together and we finally came to the last 3rd category climb.

The attacks started flying and Wong, Dietrich and Timmerman covered all the dangerous moves. But near the top, Dietrich got into a great move with some strong Tecos riders. The problem was there was still 10 miles to go and Vitamin Cottage and Webcor were interested in bringing it back. They were caught with 5 miles to go as Webcor started their lead out. Coming into the finish it was stung out in the crosswind and over the rollers. At the line Wong was 10th with Rozdisky and Dietrich were right there.

Timmerman 3rd in Stage 4: Silver City Criterium - 43.2 miles

This crit course was a big square with a decent hill and the boys all raced aggressively, attacking and going on breaks. But nothing would end up sticking today. Timmerman didn't have the best position going into the final sprint, but he finally got to show his sprint off by managing a 3rd place. The others came in with the field. Great job to Timmerman for a podium at an NRC race!

Stage 5: The Gila Monster Road Race-106.4

This is the queen stage and it has five categorized climbs that rise to 7500 feet. It started off pretty relaxed as a break went off. There was a category 4 climb first at 10 miles in. The pack just cruised along keeping the break in check. Knowing what lay ahead not many were interested in attacking. At the 52 mile mark the riders were challenged by a tough 2nd category climb which very slightly whittled down the pack. After descending there was a short flat before the next climb which was a very difficult 1st category.

Right at the base, the action started with the entire Tecos team attacking. Two would get away. There was now a very select group of 7 with all the GC contenders. Wong and Dietrich made the cut and were present near the front of this group. Swindlehurst got away near the top and bridged to the Tecos riders. It was discussed and decided to try and work together and catch them on the downhill and flat before the last big climb. Pulling them back was proving tough since only four guys were working including race leader Bajadali, Wells and Wong and Dietrich.

The break was now gaining time as they hit the next Category 2 climb. There were a few attacks out of the chase group but Wong and Dietrich were right there. The climb was proving tough for everyone, but the top finally came. After a twisty descent there was one more Category 4 climb before some flats before the finish. The chase group now started gaining slowly on the last climb. We hit the downhill as Dietrich got a flat at a very bad time. He did however end up chasing back on, but he arrived at a bad time with 2 miles to go right when the attacks started flying again. At the end of the day Wong was 8th in the final drag race to the line with Dietrich in 12th.

Overall would see Wong in 6th, Dietrich in 10th and Timmerman in 28th and Fiordifrutta in 3rd on team GC. This is one of the harder stage races in the U.S. but with Rozdisky's and Perera's knowledge of how the races would play out since they both have raced it before. It made it a little easier. Plus the awesome support we got played a big factor.

Fiordifrutta Squad Adds a Pair of Future Riders

Fiordifrutta is proud to announce two new additions to the squad. Anna Lynne Peck was added on April 23, 2005 and Audrey Elizabeth Mills joined us on March 13, 2005. Both riders weighed in under 8 lbs, but neither one could beat the weight of Justin Peck who was added in 2003. So the squad now has three riders who are lighter than Jon Hamblen, who remarked, “I am going to skip dessert for the next few weeks, and I am certainly not going let a couple of girls beat me up a hill.”

Team manager Curt Davis, who is the heaviest member of the team, stated, “I challenge the three of them put together to take me on in a hot dog eating contest. Even if they out eat me, I will still be able to beat them on the descents until they get rid of their training wheels.” Moms Heather Peck and Susan Mills are pleased that their children already have a team for the future. “That will definitely help me sleep better at night, and I need all the sleep I can get right now,” commented Heather.

Huseby 4th at Jiminy Peak Road Race, May 7th

This New England Classic saw the return of part of the squad that had been training/racing in warmer weather, and the team worked together well to put cold weather strong man Johs Huseby into 4th place. The first three of five laps in the 90 mile event saw Curt Davis, Jon Hamblen, and Mike Cody cover all breakaway attempts. The fourth lap saw Chris Peck and Matt White take the front to pull back a dangerous move that did not have any Fiordifrutta representation.

On the final lap, White and Peck continued to drive the pace to set up Huseby and Chris Rozdilsky for the finish. Roz jumped away with Dominique Perras (Sierra Nevada) with 5 kilometers to go, and then Huseby escaped with 5 other riders just one kilometer later. Perras was able to out power everyone except Davide Frattini (Colavita), while Huseby sprinted in for an outstanding 4th place.