Fantastic Team Results at the Fitchburg Longsjo: New England Team Brings Home Stage wins and High GC Standings

From July 2^nd to 5^th was the 50^th Anniversary of the Fitchburg Longsjo.  The event is the second oldest stage race and is the largest Pro /Am cycling event in the US.  Over 900 racers from around the world compete in the event.  This year to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary the New England Team was one of the race sponsors.  Several members of the team participated in the event and put on a great show for crowds.

Prologue Time Trial: The new 14.3 KM course had considerably less climbing over the past TT courses.  The weather did not cooperate for the first day.  Thunderstorms, heavy rain and fog made things a little more challenging when navigating the course. Despite these tough conditions Brian Quigley (Cat 4) showed his strength as a TT specialist finishing 2^nd.  Powerhouse Brian Roberts (Cat 3) place 17^th.

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Stage 2:  Circuit Race:  The course was a 3.1 mile loop with one short steep climb that snakes it way around Fitchburg State College.  The sun finally out, made for a great day of racing.

The Colavita 3-4 women showed off their strength in this stage.  Lydia Mathger (Cat 3) dropped the hammer finishing in 2^nd with  Danielle Fisher (Cat4) placing 6^th. Brian Roberts (Cat3) powered out an 8^th place finish with  Jason Moriarty (Cat 3) placing 16^th   Unfortunately a mechanical failure sidelined Kristen Gohr (Cat 1) for the remainder of the race.

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Stage 3: Road Race:  The course know for it's climbing was without the infamous mountain top finish on Mt Wachusett's.   The finish was moved to Princeton centre where a steep climb near the finish made for interesting battles for the line.

Again Lydia Mathger (Cat3) hammered the finishing climb placing 1^st Lydia is an outstanding climber so the course was well suited for her climbing strength. Danielle Fischer (Cat 4) powered up on the last climb finishing 6^th   Chis Hillier (Cat 2) put in a solid effort placing 19^th in the Men's 2 field.  Brian Roberts (Cat 3) turned on the after burners finishing 5^th.  Chris Rodgers (Cat 3- NJ team) placed 8^th and Power house Mark Pohndorf (Cat 3 - NJ Team) placed 10^th

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Stage 4: Crit: The .9 mile course was fast with three corners and relatively flat profile.  The rough roads in turn two made the course a little more challenging.  Entering into the front stretch racers were not only greeted by cheering fans but also a wall of wind.

Danielle Fisher (Cat4) placed 10^th

Lydia Mathger (Cat 3) placed 23^rd

Final General classification.   

Men's 4

Brian Quigley 3^rd

Seth Haskell 30^th

Women's 3-4

Danielle Fisher 7^th

Lydia Mathger 9^th

Men's 3

Mark Pohndorf 4^th

Brian Roberts 11^th

Men's 2

Chris Hillier 22^nd

Race Reports: Will be added soon