USA cyclists get in road work

Pasco's rural roads were filled with USA Cycling racers Memorial Day weekend, most climbing hard near Trilby in training to break the one-hour mark in Sunday's championship trial.

Last season, the Loxahatchee state time trial course proved a fast one. John Cipolla (Team Jamis) of Pompano Beach blasted around the 40-kilometer layout in 51 minutes, 27 seconds despite missing his allotted starting time. Race officials calculated that Cipolla averaged 28.92 mph as he hammered the flat, rectangular course.

The Florida State Time Trial returns to Loxahatchee Sunday with $1,600 in cash prizes. USA Cycling racers will earn double season points for a win. The first rider starts at 7:30 a.m. Registrations close 9 a.m. Saturday.

Tampa's Robin Kavan (senior women category 1), 1:00:40; Diana Correa (50-54), 1:04:17; and Jan Thompson (20K 55-59), 38:46, are defending champions.

SUNSHINE STATE GAMES: Winning medals in mountain biking at Carter Road Park on May 11 were Marco Schaetzing, Lutz, senior sport; Liz Lawrence, Tampa, women sport; and Kirsten Fee, Wesley Chapel, women beginner. Road champions medaling in Lakeland on May 12 in the senior 1-2 category were David Stedje, Lutz; Paul Kavan, Tampa; Jeremy Tibbetts, Clearwater; and Chris Magazino and Rick Fidanzato, both of St. Petersburg. Other medalists were Sherri Stedje, Lutz, and Robin Kavan, Tampa, in senior 1-2 women's; Petra Klundur, South Pasadena, women's category 4; Magazino, juniors; and Mark Stein, Tarpon Springs, 40-and-older. Other top locals included Mike Baltes, Michael Moule, Tommy Wilson, Patrick Unler, Scottie Graham and Bruce Cameron, all of Tampa; Kevin Markel, Brandon; Mike McCollum, Largo; Bernie Klundur, South Pasadena; Jean Goergen, St. Petersburg; and Earl Henry, Pinellas Park.

MT. MITCHELL: Kip and Carol Jean Vosburgh of Treasure Island, along with 1,600 other riders, challenged themselves with 11,000 feet of climbing at last week's Assault On Mt. Mitchell near Marion, N.C. Joined by St. Petersburg's Lisa Pesta, Carol Jean Vosburgh rode the 73-mile route. "It was so steep, the last 10 miles or so was nothing but standing up," Pesta said. "Some girls were crying while they were riding, and even some guys were crying." Riding the 100-kilometer route, Kip Vosburgh climbed faster than his effort last year after hooking up with locals who are friends and relatives of U.S. Postal Service rider George Hincapie. "This ride has been rated by Bicycle American magazine as the fourth most difficult single-day event in the world," Vosburgh said. "My time of 7 hours, 34 minutes, beat last year's by nearly an hour. It was windy and steep, but a most beautiful ride."

CLERMONT SPRINT NO. 1: The first race in the summer sprint series (swim 0.25 miles, bike 11 miles and run 3 miles) is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday. For information, call (352) 394-1320 or go online to www.triflorida.com.

BEACH BIATHLON: Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Sea Turtle Research programs will benefit from the 14th annual Beach Biathlon and 3-Mile Beach Run at Indian Rocks on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. Beach biathlon distances are run 2 miles, swim 0.5 and run 2. For information, call (727) 517-8888.

DAVIS ISLAND: Steve Tebon will host "The Big Gig," a televised weekend of multisports events at Tampa's Davis Islands, beginning June 8. Clydesdale triathlete Richard Gonzmart will join Tebon in hosting Ironman champions Scott Molina, Scott Tinley and Dave Scott for receptions, photo and autograph parties, triathlon clinics and racing. A triathlon (0.25-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run) is scheduled for 7 a.m. June 8. A duathlon (run/bike/run) will be at 10 a.m. followed by an ocean mile swim at 11. The Stouffer 5K road race will be at 8 a.m. Sunday. For information, call (888) 376-7767 or go to www.exclusivesports.com.

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