The 2004 field

So everyone wants to know who we think is going to win. Well the politically correct answer is “anyone who finishes this race is a winner.” But since I’m not in a pc mood here’s the low down – we won’t pick winners but will give you a little info about your competition:

Solo Division

We have never had so many people sign up with the expressed interest of winning. A number of our soloists have a good shot at the overall title.

1. 101 James Rosar – James is one of two RAO racers who will be competing in the solo division of RAAM two weeks later. He is strong and fast. Originally qualified for RAAM at PAC RAAM. I would imagine he’s using this as a training race and look for a solid finish.

1. 102 Tim Binion – Tim is coming off a strong performance at the Davis 24. Binion was riding well last year till foot problems and severe cramping forced him out of the race. Tim should do well this year.

1. 103 Jim Fischer – Fish is one of many talented mountain bike racers in our field this year. Jim’s goal for RAO 2004 is an official finish.

1. 104 Kelly Hegar – Kelly officiated RAO for three years before entering solo last year. He smashed his hand early in the season but decided to train one armed. With the same guts he showed last year along with a more solid training base Kelly should have a good race this year.

1. 106 Kenneth Philbrick – Watch out for this guy. First off he had the courage to wear a kilt every night we went out for dinner during the three day training camp in Central Oregon. He was also the first person to ride every mile of the three day camp. Kenneth is a rookie in name only – lots of experience in the California double centuries and triple crown. He’s fast on the climbs and fast on the flats.

1. 107 Mark Schwyhart – Mark’s background is in OBRA racing. He directs the highly successful Columbia Plateau Stage Race. Mark is a darkhorse for me as I know he has a lot of experience but don’t know that much about him.

1. 108 Richard Sweet – Richard is the local favorite. An amazing mountain bike racer (won the Cream Puff three times) and an amazing climber. Richard knows the course well as he raced it with the winning Shark team two years ago and has plenty of training miles on it this year.

1. 109 James Trout – James won the UMCA’s JMC competition three years ago. He’s finished a number of qualifiers, doubles, 24s and also holds state crossing records.

1. 110 Bruce Carroll – Bruce Almighty was last year’s Rookie of the Year. Bruce is in the shape of his life, has an experienced crew and is an excellent tactician. Keep a sharp eye on this guy. He was pretty amazing at the 3 day camp.

1. 111 Gregg Geser – Defending RAO champ. You are going to have to work hard to wrest the laurel wreath from Gregg. He says he isn’t in as good a shape as last year. Everybody says that.

1. 112 Alessandro Colo – Our other RAAM rider. Alessandro has been training in America all of May. He’s using RAO as prep for RAAM but word from his crew is they don’t want to be stuck in the van all that long and are going to push him to a faster finish than last year when he was fourth. Please take it easy Alessandro :)

1. 113 Rob Lucas – Rob will start slow. He will be fast…no, very fast at the end. His split from the Chevron to Timberline two weeks ago was just over 50 minutes. Rob’s been racing mountain bikes for years and has a lot of experience in off road 24s. He placed second to 2002 RAO champ Reed Finfrock last year at the Fireweed 400.

1. 114 Chris Grealish – A stud. Second American finisher at Paris-Brest-Paris 2003, winner of Boston-Montreal-Boston and, I believe, the only American invited to compete in Race Across the Alps this year. If he has any weakness it’s that he hasn’t seen the course.

1. 115 Rieks Koning – Rieks is a veteran of numerous transcontinental PAC Tours and the 508. He was an official finisher in RAAM 2000. Rieks is a very strong climber and should have a great race.

1. 116 Pat Layton – If Pat has his nutrition worked out this year he will be very competitive. Pat was in the top three through Long Creek last year. Unfortunately he had some diet problems that forced him off the bike for awhile. He came back strong though and finished with a RAAM qualifying time. Pat is an extremely talented climber.

1. 117 Graham Pollock – Another rider with a lot of history with the California doubles and Triple Crown Series. I saw a lot of Graham at the 2002 508 when I was crewing with Terri. Very good rider who is strong on both the climbs and flats.

1. 118 Kit Rudd – Kit put in one of the gutsiest rides I’ve ever seen when he qualified at RAO 2002. His final climb to Timberline was unforgettable. Kit is in excellent shape and should do well this year.

1. 119 Dick Weber – Dick is the master’s record holder at RAO, The 508 and probably plenty of other places as well. Weber will always finish. He’s usually fast at the start and finish. If he ever has a weak time it comes in the middle of the race. He’s racing 60 + this year and will give riders half his age more than ample competition.

1. 120 Cassie Lowe – Cassie has as good a shot at the overall title as anyone. She’s been training in the Austral summer and has an unbelievable crew. Cassie has won the women’s division of RAAM twice (both times were when the course followed part of the RAO route) and placed as high as fourth overall. In RAAM 2000 she was only minutes behind Rob Kish at the finish. Fantastic in the mountains.

Two Person Relay

1. 221 Blood, Sweat and Gears – Mark Newsome has finished RAO three times – once with Team HP and twice with Team GT. Mark is in great shape and had a strong three day RAO camp. I’ve seen Doug ride really well at two RAO camps but don’t know how his training is going this year. I expect a good finish from this team.

1. 222 Danger Brothers – Very strong team. John Coffey is one of the best masters triathletes in the NW. Del Scharffenberg is a two time solo winner of RAO. Need I say more?

1. 223 Team Father and Son – Another darkhorse for me. I believe Father and Son have raced as a 2 person prior and done well. Sorry I don’t know more.

1. 224 Team Grime and Punishment – Rob Northcote and Brian Martin are “recreational roadies” from Canada. Recreational roadies with a pretty impressive resume! Rob tells me they are here to have fun and adventure…I think they will race pretty well while they’re at it.

1. 225 Team No Problem – The only thing I’ve heard about Brian Wasson and Chris Gros-Balthazard is that they could cause plenty of problems for teams looking to win. Both are highly competitive mountain bike racers.

1. 226 Team THC-1 – Max Paulus was one half of Team Hibachi that raced RAO in 2002. He is a multi year Cream Puff vet who almost always finishes in the top 25. I don’t know Doug Addicott but I believe his background is in mountain bike racing. This team along with THC-2 are wildcards. These guys are all strong riders who are out to race hard but have fun doing so.

1. 227 Team THC-2 – Mark Fox was the other half of Team Hibachi. Mark totally impressed Terri and I at the Fossill time station when (on his road bike mind you) he skidded into the gravel parking lot, came to a track stand, kissed his girlfriend, popped a wheelie and took off…and never put a foot down. I don’t know Kevin Noble but am pretty sure he is also a mountain bike racer.

1. 228 Team Thunder & Lightning – Michael Packard and Rich Kondzielaski are going to be tough. Michael (Thunder) is riding faster than I’ve ever seen him. Richie is coming off a training camp in West Virginia and both the three and four day RAO camps. Rich climbed Government Camp to Timberline in less than 40 minutes at the end of the 125 mile last day of training camp.

Four Person Team

This is going to be a close race.

1. 441 Team HP – The most experienced team in RAO. Dan Youngberg is an amazing crew chief. Team HP has this race down cold. This will be Tim Corbett’s seventh RAO!

1. 442 Team Bonecycles – My four person darkhorse team. I don’t know any of the riders’ race history.

1. 443 Team Gerry’s Kids – The Kids are going to be very, very good. They were in the thick of it last year with only four riders when everyone else had five. For a time they were down to three and still hung in there. If everyone stays healthy the Kids will be one of the top teams.

1. 444 Team Loose Gravel – Van Vooren, Cooper & Haluzak return from last year’s third place team. I don’t know Gradek. Loose Gravel will be in the very tight race for first with at least four other teams. The primes should make this a fun race – for the officials anyway…

1. 445 Team Shark Attack – Going for win # 4 in five years. Lucas is one of the best climbers and bike handlers in OBRA. Won the Master’s National Cyclocross Championship two years ago. Big Haired Mama Tedder cut his hair and is now Short Haired Mama. Three riders from last year’s first place team are returning to defend their title. Jeff was unable to race in ‘03 due to illness so he was the co-crew chief. He’ll be riding this year. Charles Thomas is on the Timex Adventure Racing Team and Mr. Beatty will be racing in his 5th RAO.

1. 446 Team Half-Gassed Fellows – Jim Murez formerly of Team G-T put together what could be the surprise team of RAO ‘04. Kelly Taylor is new to cycling but has been placing well in the local time trials. I don’t know Malcolm or Hafner but from what I hear they are fast.

Can’t believe the race is just a week away – good luck to everyone!!!

Previous: Race Hotline -- Next: The Chevron Station in Long Creek
Back to the Race Across Oregon Blog