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I think it’s agreed in the Cat 1/2 field that the Avon road course is one of the best around. It may not be the most demanding but it’s fast and beautiful. It starts in the small town of Avon, traverses north west to Albany then loops through the village of St Ana then back to Avon. LSC does an outstanding job of choreographing the event with the police, sheriff and volunteers.

This year the finish was moved to the top of the moderately difficult hill mid-course which would  change the dynamics of the race from the previous year which finished in a field sprint taken by GP’s Eric Marcott. The 5 lap, 85 mile race started fast with Pat Lemieax of GP making hard efforts to spark a break. Nothing would materialize until the second lap when Aric Harland of Synergy, Dale Sedgewick of GP, Ian Stanford of Grandstay, and Adam Froeming of Flanders put in a unified effort. They were later joined by a late bridging Dewey Dickey.

This break had a lot of potential but their lead would not grow beyond 30 to 45 seconds. On a difficult back stretch climb Doug Swanson (Grandstay) made a huge effort to bridge to the break with Tim Mulrooney (Synergy), Tony Olson of Penn and Mike Woehl of Flanders in tow. Ten minutes later they would bridge the gap to the leaders in the village of St Ana. The field, led by GP was close behind as the team sitting toward the back of the field was caught off guard during Swanson’s attack. They would close the gap allowing Pat Lemieax and Paul Ellis to bridge to the leading 9. With 3 laps to go the final selection was made.

The group of 11 worked well together to secure a 3 minute lead that would grow to 4 over the next 2 laps. Adam Froeming, suffering from chronic back pain would retire and Dewey Dickey feeling an off day bowed out on the bell lap. It was down to 9 strong riders with GP well represented. Doug Swanson suffered a minor crash when he crossed up wheels in the rotation but with Ian Stanford’s help he was back in the group with torn shorts and a sore wrist. In the closing miles of the the final lap Pat Lemieax and Dale Sedgewick began a barage of attacks and counter attacks to break up the group or secure a solo victory. Aric Hareland working for Tim Mulrooney and Ian Stanford working for Doug Swanson snuffed out the efforts while the rest of the group fought for wheels in the closing crosswind miles of the race.

Rolling into the 1K to go marker and a long uphill drag to the finish the pace would be set by Stanford that made it difficult for anyone struggling to stay on a wheel. Riders would pop off the pace as the final accent neared.When Stanford’s effort was tempered it came down the 5 racers; Pat Lemiaux, Doug Swanson, Mike Woehl, Tony Olson and Tim Mulrooney. Lemiaux would suffer his second flat of the day within 250 meters of the line taking him out of the sprint. Swanson, who is known for his long powerful sprint would make the first jump as the hill neared its crest. However, the line was a long headwind drag of a 100 meters or so and he would hesitate in his effort allowing the foursome to regroup into a 4 abreast battle for the final sprint. Again Swanson made the first effort with everyone reacting and holding their line. Mulrooney would fade slightly falling behind Olson (in junior gearing) and Swanson with Woehl fading quickly.

A tight bike throw at the line would give Doug his second State title with Olson 2nd and Mulrooney in 3rd. Woehl would fall victim to the imaginary yellow line rule and his 4th taken away and given to Ian Stanford after disqualification.

Mens 1/2 State Road Race:

1. Douglas Swanson (Grandstay)
2. Anthony Olson (Nature Valley/FCCC)*
3. Timothy Mulrooney (Synergy)
4. Ian Stanford (Grandstay)

*Junior gearing