March 30, 2009 (Fort Langley, BC) – The 2009 Escape Velocity Spring Series presented by dEVo continued with the River Road race, dEVo Spring Series #4, on Saturday, March 28 – the second assault of the flat River Road course in three weeks. As with the initial River Road race on March 15, wet, cold, miserable weather was the order of the day, but it didn’t hold back over 110 racers from competing.

A daring break composed of Mike Sidic (Garneau Evolution), Marcel Aarden (H&R Block Kona), Marsh Cooper (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes), and Jamie Sparling (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes) stuck, much to the chagrin of the chasing pack. The break built a two-minute advantage, with Sparling attacking at five laps to go, taking the win solo, followed by Sidic in second. Jack Okuniewicz (Glotman Simpson) narrowly held off a charging Guy Biggar (Garneau Evolution), with Rory McAdams (Glotman Simpson) rounding out the top five. The B, C, and Novice groups all ended in bunch sprints with Adam Smith (John Henry Bikes), strongman Fergus Lavelle (dEVo Powerbar), and Troy Neale winning their respective categories.

dEVo Spring Series #4
Sunday’s Spring Series Race # 5 on the rolling 9km Bradner Road course in Aldergrove was fantastic in comparison, with sunshine, a balmy high of 10 degrees, and breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. After getting caught out of the top five in the A race on Saturday, Marsh Cooper (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes) was on a mission. He took the win over Craig Ritchey (Blue Competition Bicycles) and Kevin Noiles (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes), who placed second and third, respectively.

In the B Group, it was Local Ride Racing’s Mike Berkenpas (Local Ride Racing) who snatched the solo victory after he escaped very late on the last lap to avoid the bunch sprint that ensued. Adam Smith (John Henry Bikes) edged out Nick Berry (Mighty Riders) in the pack charge for second place. Scott Inman (Team Coastal) was top dog in the C race, capturing the win over second place Steven Guenther (Escape Velocity) and third place David Stephens. Stay tuned for more dEVo Spring Series action next weekend.

Results

River Road – March 28

A Group
1. Jamie Sparling (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes)
2. Mike Sidic (Garneau Evolution)
3. Jack Okuniewicz (Glotman Simpson)
4. Guy Biggar (Garneau Evolution)
5. Rory McAdams (Glotman Simpson)

B Group
1. Adam Smith (John Henry Bikes)
2. Jesse Van Oene (Team Giant)
3. Graham Laurie (Phoenix Velo)
4. Richard Machhein
5. Nicholas Jones (Westwood/Cannondale)

C Group
1. Fergus Lavelle (dEVo Powerbar)
2. David Stephens
3. Ian Fillinger
4. Niels Steiner (Glotman Simpson)
5. Mark McQuade – Atomic Racing

Novice
1. Troy Neale
2. John Sommerst
3. Summer Griffin (Team Squamish)
4. Amy Kirkham
5. Unknown – no visible number

Bradner Road – March 29

A Group
1. Marsh Cooper (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes)
2. Craig Ritchey (Blue Competition Bicycles)
3. Kevin Noiles (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes)
4. Evan Flater (Garneau Evolution)
5. Sven Sturm (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes)

B Group
1. Mike Berkenpas (Local Ride Racing)
2. Adam Smith (John Henry Bikes)
3. Nick Berry (Mighty Riders)
4. Andy George (Team Coastal)
5. Jake Wasiela (Escape Velocity)

C Group
1. Scott Inman (Team Coastal)
2. Steven Guenther (Escape Velocity)
3. David Stephens
4. Number not visible – Atomic Racer
5. Matt Law (Daryl-Evans Racing)

For race results and information please visit www.escapevelocity.bc.ca