Koppenberg Circuit
May 16th, 2004

After a years hiatus the Koppenberg Circuit race came back with a bang, crowning two new champions in the pro/elite men's and women's events. Will Frischkorn (Colavita-Bolla) and Ann Trombly (Excel Sports) came up with big rides to win on a classic course that served up rough dirt roads and the infamous Koppenberg climb, a la Colorado style. The BoulderRacing.com road cycling event is a 5.5 mile loop consisting of a rather rough 2 mile dirt section that ends with a short, but very steep hill. The 200 meter long "Koppenberg" hill has a 20% slope and takes its namesake from the legendary climb in the Tour of Flanders.

The women's event started under bright blue skies and mild temperatures but the heat would soon be turned up as the field shattered the first time up the rutted Koppenberg. Trombly, a former Olympic mountain bike racer, Shannon Tupa (Tokyo Joe's) and Erin Huck (Denver Spoke) applied the most pressure and found themselves away early on. Huck eventually dropped back but even with the second group chasing hard, Trombly and Tupa were able to stretch their lead to a comfortable margin and set up for the final knowing they would be sprinting for first and second. Trombly, using the strength that won her last weekends Excel Sports Boulder Stage Race, took the win from Tupa while Huck came out of the chase group for a well earned third place.

All the local talent was on hand for the men's pro/ elite race and the pace was high from the gun with racers sprinting up the Koppenberg climb for the first lap Amante Coffee prime at the top. Jon Tarkington (Vitamin Cottage) took home the beans and shortly after found himself in a lead group of eight initiated by Dan Bowman (TIAA-CREF). This group was soon down to six including Tarkington and two Vitamin Cottage teammates Chuck Coyle and Christian McCarthy, Jeff Courter (Al's Barber Shop), Chris Wherry (Health Net presented by Maxxis) and Will Frischkorn. This powerful group, working well together, quickly put time on the chasers however Vitamin Cottages' strength in numbers took a hit when McCarthy cramped and had to let the others go as the group dwindled to five. With 2 laps remaining the rough dirt roads took their toll on Tarkington and Courter, leaving them with untimely flat tires. With Coyle waiting for his teammate, Wherry and Frischkorn were left to contest the win. On the final climb of the Koppenberg, Wherry opened up a small gap but was brought back and finally beaten by a surging Frischkorn.

"It is a very selective circuit. The dirt road was in pretty rough shape but when you start a race with a name like "The Koppenberg" you have to be ready for some natural selection," said a tired Chris Wherry after the finish.

Race Notes - See BoulderRacing.com for full results, more pictures, and a full event schedule. All races were given a prime of a pound of Amante Coffee for the first to reach the top of the climb, dubbed the Amante Grind. Great attendance, beautiful weather, and a challenging course were the predominant comments from the weekend. With attrition rates at almost 50%, this is one of Colorado's toughest one day races. Boulder Racing would like to extend a most gracious thanks to all of our sponsors: Medically Based Fitness, Clif Bar, Excel Sports, Rocky Mounts, Case Logic, Moots, Deuter and Gofast.


Be sure to check out the race photos and race report at Cyclingnews.com.

Results

• Mens 1,2
• Mens 3
• Mens 4
• Mens 35+
• Mens 45+
• Mens 55+
• Womens 1,2
• Womens 3
• Womens 4
• Womens 35+
• Womens 45+