Winter Garden Circuit Race: 2-20-10

Ralph Teten and Curtis Long traveled to Winter Garden Florida to take advantage of a rare sunny and warm day this winter. The race was a nice two mile course with closed roads and a gradual climb to the finish. Over seventy racers took the start line with a good turnout from Florida’s strongest teams and regional professionals searching for some sunshine.

A nine man group split off of the front from the gun. It is rare for a break to stay away for an entire race that goes from the start, but this was a big break with a lot of horsepower. The break tenaciously held onto a 10 second lead for about a mile. The group would get close, but never quite get to the break. Each team had good representation and seemed to be working well together. Curtis took a gamble and bridged to the break, just catching on at the start/finish line at the end of the first lap. It proved to be the right move.

The break worked well together; rotating smoothly and putting time into the group lap after lap. There were constant attacks starting at five laps to go as each rider tried to get away from the rest of the break and increase his chances for the win. The sprint was unorganized and chaotic, but Curtis sprinted to the first win of the year for Lindner Capital Advisors. Regional pro and former US National Team member, Andy Crater, came through for second.