CU Cycling Nabs Fifth in National Team Time-Trial
The Cumberland University Cycling Team garnered a fifth-place finish in the highly coveted Team Time-Trial event on Friday, May 11 in Lawrence, Kan. This 20-kilometer race is the premier team event at the Collegiate Road National Championship. Cumberland was one of 19 collegiate teams from across the country to compete in the Division II field. Each team could have up to four riders in the event, but each team was required to finish with at least three since the final time is taken once the third rider crosses the finish line.
Cumberland's team consisted of Peter Fairbanks, Whitney Stanbrough, Shawn Mullican and Ben Bevans. The foursome posted a finishing time of 24:43, fast enough for fifth, but off the pace of Western Washington University's winning time of 23:46. Teams finishing ahead of Cumberland were Princeton at 24:00, University of Denver at 24:21 and Colorado College at 24:32. Other notable finishes were Furman University in seventh with 24:57, Notre Dame at 13th with 25:19 and Yale University at 16th with a time of 25:54. The defending champions from Whitman College fell to ninth place at 25:00.
According to CU Cycling Team Director Tim Hall, CU Cycling's main goal all season long had been to win this event, but he noted, "... Fifth place is nothing to hang our heads over. I am very proud of our effort and determination. Everyone was a little nervous with some butterflies, but their adrenaline took over, and we posted a highly respectable result. As I explained to the guys afterwards, 'Yes, be disappointed, but more importantly, be proud of what you accomplished.'"
The team competes Saturday in the 84-mile road race around Lake Perry near Lawrence. Due to recent flooding and abnormally high water levels at Lake Perry, the road race course had to be re-routed. To circumvent the flooded roads, officals will have the riders cover a 1.5-mile section of gravel road before getting back onto the original race loop. This alteration will likely prove to be a pivotal point in the race since gravel will certainly slow down riders in the back of the field -- it could also cause multiple flat tires. Spare tires will be available to riders, but any flat along the course will cost precious time and require significant energy to chase back on to the main field.
Sunday wraps up the national championship with a criterium in Downtown Lawrence. Follow race news and results at www.usacycling.org.
Cumberland's team consisted of Peter Fairbanks, Whitney Stanbrough, Shawn Mullican and Ben Bevans. The foursome posted a finishing time of 24:43, fast enough for fifth, but off the pace of Western Washington University's winning time of 23:46. Teams finishing ahead of Cumberland were Princeton at 24:00, University of Denver at 24:21 and Colorado College at 24:32. Other notable finishes were Furman University in seventh with 24:57, Notre Dame at 13th with 25:19 and Yale University at 16th with a time of 25:54. The defending champions from Whitman College fell to ninth place at 25:00.
According to CU Cycling Team Director Tim Hall, CU Cycling's main goal all season long had been to win this event, but he noted, "... Fifth place is nothing to hang our heads over. I am very proud of our effort and determination. Everyone was a little nervous with some butterflies, but their adrenaline took over, and we posted a highly respectable result. As I explained to the guys afterwards, 'Yes, be disappointed, but more importantly, be proud of what you accomplished.'"
The team competes Saturday in the 84-mile road race around Lake Perry near Lawrence. Due to recent flooding and abnormally high water levels at Lake Perry, the road race course had to be re-routed. To circumvent the flooded roads, officals will have the riders cover a 1.5-mile section of gravel road before getting back onto the original race loop. This alteration will likely prove to be a pivotal point in the race since gravel will certainly slow down riders in the back of the field -- it could also cause multiple flat tires. Spare tires will be available to riders, but any flat along the course will cost precious time and require significant energy to chase back on to the main field.
Sunday wraps up the national championship with a criterium in Downtown Lawrence. Follow race news and results at www.usacycling.org.
