TRIANGLE, VA – This week in the ACCC cyclists competed in the Conference Championship host by the U.S. Naval Academy. They provided a beautiful road course in Prince William Forest Park that proved to be challenging for all racers with a long false flat and two punchy climbs. An outstanding show of athleticism came from Luke Woodard from Virginia Tech when he made a break in the Men’s B race and finished first place three minutes ahead of the main field. The competition for points was continued the Women’s A category ending in a field sprint with Adelaide Tillinghast pulling a half wheel ahead of Alena Pugacheva. The Men’s A race proved to be a tough one when Chris Jones (VCU) and Miles Hubbard (ASU) attempted to make a break at mile 11 of 60, and it stuck. With both teams having members controlling any breaks from the peloton the break stuck and a gap increased to 6 minutes. Chris Jones pulled ahead of Miles in the final 200 meters for the win.
At the circuit race this weekend all fields made bike racing interesting. The Women’s A field broke with 3 ladies pulling ahead and pushing the pace away from the group. The race ended in a sprint finish between these three ladies with Alena Pugacheva (VCU) taking first, Adelaide Tillinghast (American University) taking second, and Tess Senty (WVU) right on her wheel for third. The Men’s A field was full of small breaks trying to get away during the first 3 laps when finally a five man break was made. With a group of five in front of the field, and most schools being represented, the pace slowed considerably in the peloton. There was an impressive display of teamwork when four riders from Duke University fell off the back but managed to practice their team time trial skills to get within 20 seconds of the field. When rider flatted on the backside of the course another dropped back from the peloton to help pull their team back into contention. Amazing teamwork and determination to get back in the group! It wasn’t long until the break lapped the field and finished in a field sprint with Dave Fuentes (GMU) taking first place, Alan Garvick (ASU) for second, and Evan Lang (VCU) close behind for third place.
Story Credits
Written by Trevor Holmes and originally posted on usacycling.org. Read more about all the USA Cycling conferences in USA Cycling’s Weekly Collegiate Race Recap.
Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference
The Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference (ACCC) is a collection of cycling clubs representing colleges and universities from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. We are one of eleven conferences that make up the collegiate program of USA Cycling, the national governing body of cycling in the United States. Our athletes compete in road, mountain, and cyclocross racing throughout the academic year at the conference level with hopes of qualifying for the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships. For more information, please check out the ACCC website.
