Wong and Dietrich 2nd and 3rd in USCF Road Race Rankings

The most recent standings show Phil Wong and Mike Dietrich at the top of the USCF Road Race Rankings for category 1 men. They hold the number 2 and 3 spots out of the 341 category 1 riders in the US.

The team is currently racing at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota against the nation’s top pros. Cody and Wong both made it into the top 25 in the day one time trial, and there is a great picture of Gewirtz on cyclingnews.com

Dietrich Wins New England Criterium Championships, Ninigret, RI – June 5th

Johs Huseby wrote the following race report:
After the first dreadfully hot and humid day of the year and a disappointing showing in Maine, Dietrich and I headed down to Ninigret, Rhode Island for the New England Crit Champs on the world famous loop at Ninigret Park. We both had been hydrating like banshees and wanted to make sure there was no issue today, on once again another steamer. We both agreed that we didn’t want to go away on the first lap, however that promise didn’t last long. As soon as the whistle blew a small move went away and I immediately jumped on it. It consisted of four of us and not too long after several others bridged across.

At this point Deez was still in the main field, but before I knew it I looked behind me and he had rolled across. We now had 8 in the group and we steadily gained time on the field. Coming into the half way prime, Dietrich gave me a tremendous lead-out and I easily took the sprint. One other rider was behind me and we had a 50 foot gap on the group. We continued to work together for the next 2 or 3 laps but unfortunately he wasn’t making strong enough pulls to keep us away and I was not about to tow him around for the next 14 laps.

As soon as the group caught us, Dietrich launched. It could not have been more perfect timing. Everyone was tired from chasing and he established a big gap right away and no one attempted to chase him down. Within not too long a time, he made it up to the field – which he had now lapped. He stayed in the field and dragged them around. Once he got to the field, we started working together again and then another guy launched and no one chased him down. I certainly was not about to as I didn’t want to get near Dietrich, so we sat there and with about three laps remaining, the cat and mouse began. A few people tried some attacks, but I marked everyone and made sure nothing got away.

Dietrich took the win as we had half a lap left and we were in no way going to catch the guy by himself in second, so our pace slowed to a crawl. Everyone was waiting for the other to make a move. I let a huge gap open up as one guy sat on my wheel which forced him to close the gap and allowed me to come from behind. Another guy charged hard up the right side and I followed him and when it was time, made my move and took third. So in the end it worked out well for Dietrich and me, first and third and he was now the New England Criterium Champion! Funny…for a guy that prides himself on being a road racer.

Fiordifrutta Goes 1,2,3 at Wachusett Circuit Race, MA, May 28th

Finally it was not raining and the Fiordifrutta boys were ready to race. Dietrich, Wong, and Hamblen finagled their way to the front of the massive field that decided to start the race. Two riders attacked in the neutral rollout and got a gap. Once the race actually started, Hamblen made an acceleration and the whole field quickly jumped on. As Hamblen sat up, Dietrich attacked from the left side and bridged across to the two up the road. After 2 miles Dietrich lost his breakaway companions and was solo.

Back in the field, Wong and Hamblen were covering every move and trying to get away solo up to Dietrich. After about 7 laps of the 3 mile circuit Wong got a gap and set out to get to Dietrich. Wong quickly closed the 45 second gap to the tired Dietrich. Behind, a chase group had formed which contained Hamblen who sat on the back. With four laps to go Dietrich and Wong really picked up the pace because the chase group of 4 came within 15 seconds. After the next lap the gap was up to a minute again.

On the last lap Hamblen attacked his tired chase group and Wong and Dietrich realized that with 2kms to go Hamblen was not too far behind and was by himself so they waited. The three came in 1-2-3. Dietrich wanted to have a wheelie, or sit up competition to see who should win but then figured Wong should take his first pro12 win to try and end his curse of the Boogerd (which is too many second place finishes, named after Dutch rider Michael Boogerd) The three came in with their arms up in the air.

Huseby #1 in New England Bicycle Association Rankings

Johs Huseby leads the current rankings for Pro/1/2 Men after consistent top finishes all spring in New England. One of the local NJ papers also has a great article about Johs Huseby’s win in Somerville last week. Click here.