March 26/07 10:57 am - Blizzard Club Opens Road Season

Posted by Editor on 03/26/07
 

Blizzard Bike Club - Fort St. John, BC
Courtesy Pat Ferris

March 25, 2007

Geoff McDonald of Grande Prairie edged out team mate Blaine Richter to win the first road race of the Blizzard Club's 25th season of racing, Sunday. Geoff came in all alone to win the 68 km Cecil Lake road event with a time of 2:10:46. Blaine was second at 2:11:35 and Gary Hilderman capped off an excellent performance with a sprint for third place at 2:19:38, from Pat Ferris and Bob Andrews.

Thirteen riders came out under sunny and warm conditions and dry, clear pavement. The pack stayed together until the turn at Goodlow store. The GP Boys pushed the pace until only Pat Ferris of the local squad was left. He dropped back to Bob Andrews and Gary Hilderman before the Clearview School. The group stayed together to the finish.

Darren Guliov and Gord 'the Hammer' Harris were close behind, with Darren winning the sprint from Gord for 6th at 2:24:48. Barb Polehoykie was 8th at 2:26:20, Wim Kok 2:34:48 for 9th and Colter Young was 10th at 2:43:24. One rider DNF'd.

Ken Nix won the 30 k at 1:43:52 with Marie Young 1:05:20.

Coming Up:

- The Spring Stage Race starts next Sunday at 2 pm from the Cecil Lake gravel pit with a 40k and 68 km event.
- This is seven races over 10 days, including 2 Challenge Cup races. It started back in 1987.
- Robin Baillie is the defending champion. Pat Ferris has won this race 4 times and Bob Andrews has won this three-in-a-row, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
- Barb Polehoykie has won it the last three years in a row for the Women and Jolea Bilodeau is the Under 19 defending Champion.