Brief Report
Men’s A
- Joe Magro 16th
Men’s C
- Michael Tonzi 18th
- Andrew O’Donnell 29th
- Josh Corcoran 35th
Men’s D
- Brian Hurley 14th
Bellefontaine OH – Road races Saturday were held on a rolling 15 mile course. With weather quickly deteriorating and wind gusts near 30mph racers battled the elements as much as one another. Sophomore Brian Hurley, Men’s D, competed first for ND. In his debut weekend Hurley rode well and finished 14th out of 51 finishers. Freshman Josh Corcoran, graduate student Andrew O’Donnell, and sophomore Michael Tonzi represented ND in the Men’s C field. The race was fast from the gun as riders jockeyed for position heading into the first climb. O’Donnell and Tonzi were able to maintain contact with the leaders over the top and into the crosswinds on the plateau above. Still in a driving rain, Tonzi slipped into a pack of 4 as the main field began to fall apart 20 miles into the race. Sprinting for the finish, Tonzi crossed the line first in his group and 18th overall. O’Donnell wasn’t far behind while Corcoran also finished near the top half of the field of 60. Graduate student Douglas Ansel and sophomore Joe Magro rode for the Irish in the Men’s A category. Much like earlier races in the day, an all out sprint to the first steep climb a mile into the course proved the defining moment of the race. Starting towards the rear, Magro passed much of the field on the ascent and crested the hill in the front group. As the temperature dropped into the 30’s and driving rain turned to sleet and hail riders strung out all over the course. Crosswinds shifted to tailwinds 25 miles into the race resulting in sustained speeds of over 40mph. Magro settled into the second group of 8 and scored more nationals qualification points with 16th overall.