Triple Crown Report & Results 2009

Results:  Prologue :: Criterium :: Road Race :: Photos

Prologue

The Thunder Bay Cycling Club kicked off their annual Triple Crown event sponsored by Fresh Air Experience this weekend. The three day event for local cycling supremacy began with the 5km Individual Time Trial prologue on Friday and the Criterium at Innova Park on Saturday. Forty riders with ages ranging from 10 to 61 have taken part including riders hailing from as far away as Ottawa and Fort Frances.

Despite a strong westerly crosswind on Friday evening, the winding downhill course on Mapleward Road from Dawson Road to John Street was a big hit with the competitors. Traffic was not held up as speeds exceeded 60kmph at times and many a small woodland creature dared not venture across the road as some of the fastest riders in Northwestern Ontario blistered on by.

In Category 1 it was Thunder Bay’s Josh Gillingham who fired the opening salvo posting a best time of 5 minutes and 50 seconds for an average of 51.43kmph.

Proving that they may be old, but aren’t dead yet, 40+ veterans Dave Pinner and Scott Ferguson followed closely stopping the clock at 5:53 and 5:54 respectively.

In Category 2 Mike O’Connor laid down a smoking time of 6:06 followed by Race Director Berto Pascuillo at 6:16. Nathan Petrie, who found some speed in the family shop this week, bolted out of the gates and punched in at 6:18.

In Category 3 young Nelson Pascuillo showed that he’s going to be a force in the coming years by dropping the hammer with a 7:02. He was followed by Jeff Tilbury of Fort Frances at 7:08 and the ageless Frank Wilson at a 7:13.

Marilyn Ailey had the fastest Women’s time marking in a very respectable 6:42. Emily Caron clocked in at 7:18 with Liz Salmon rounding out the top three at 7:27.

Criterium

On Saturday the riders were greeted by overcast skies at Innova Park, but the sun shone on Josh Gillingham who put his stamp on the race by turning in a crushing performance in Category 1. In a forty minute display, Gillingham proved that he is indeed the strongest rider in the race by lapping the entire field. With the rest of the pack having to settle for second place it was Brody Pasciullo who won the sprint on the bell lap over Scott Ferguson, Andrew Ross and Keith Ailey.

The Category 2 race turned out to be the highlight of the day as the peloton worked well together in the 30 minute feature. In the end it was veteran Peter Tofinetti who out-sprinted fellow gray beard Mike O’Connor and up-and-coming junior Stewart Melnick. The rest of the top five included Nathan Petrie, Joel Gerry and Kevin Paradis.

In Category 3 Jeff Tilbury of Fort Frances held off a scrappy Nelson Pasciullo who marked his every move during the 20 minute dog fight. Karl Tuomisto, Mike Bois and young Spencer Melnick rounded out the top five.

In the Women’s race it was Alison Bortolon who shut out Nicki Wilberforce, while Liz Salmon and Nathalie Bedard finished third and fourth respectively.

Strong performances have also turned in so far by Junior riders: Matt Degiacomo, Toby and Damon Quinn, and Jordan Davidson.

Racing winds up Sunday out at Stanley with Road Racing on the Barrie / River Road Loop at 10:30am. Total aggregate points from the three days of racing will crown a winner in three categories.

Road Race

The Thunder Bay Cycling Club wound up its Triple Crown event under sunny skies on Sunday. Forty two athletes took part in the annual three day event sponsored by Fresh Air Experience.

The final stage was a road race on the 15km Barrie / River Road loop. In Category 1, Brody Pasciullo and Andrew Ross broke away from the peloton on lap 1 of the 5 lap event. On lap 2 Josh Gillingham decided it was time to go and bridged across to reel in the two escapees. The remainder of the group chased and shattered on the following climb leaving the field strung out to the finish. The final result saw Brody Pasciullo hold on to win over Josh Gillingham, with Andrew Ross, Keith Ailey and Dave Pinner rounding out the top five. The result did little to shuffle the overall standings as Gillingham retained the title in the top category, with Pasciullo nailing down second and a rapidly improving Ross grabbing third.

Category 2 saw a lot co-operation amongst the 16 man peloton as one breakaway after another was gobbled back up over their 4 lap 60km battle. The final selection was made on Hwy 588 when Hubert Kuhleitner soared to the top of the last climb. Christian Hollman held off Joel Gerry for second, with Berto Pasciullo and Stewart Melnick battling it out for fourth and fifth respectively. Based on strong performances in the opening stages, Mike O’Connor was able to hold on to the Category 2 title over wiley veteran Berto Pasciullo who moved up to second. A consistent Stewart Melnick served notice that he will be a force in the future by claiming third overall.

In Category 3 a three lap cat-and-mouse game saw Nelson Pasciullo ascend the final climb untouched. Jeff Tilbury must have been wondering what the young 13 year old Pasciullo ate for breakfast, but the Fort Frances native was strong enough to hold off Karl Tuomisto and a determined Spencer Melnick to claim second. Pasciullo’s road win was enough to break the tie to claim top prize in his category. Tilbury was forced to settle for second with Karl Tuomisto claiming third.

The Women’s event saw a fresh Emily Caron come in and cruise to victory in their 3 lap event. Nicki Wilberforce held off newcomer Alison Bortolon, Liz Salmon and Krista Baigent capped off the top five. In the overall, it was Wilberforce’s superior bike handling skills in the criterium and road race showed to be the difference. Alison Bortolon snapped up second over a steady Liz Salmon who was third overall.

Congratulations and Thank You's

A tip of the hat goes to Toby Quinn and Mia Serratore who competed in their first Triple Crown. These two young athletes displayed grit and determination while they competed and maintained good sportsmanship throughout. We look forward to seeing both of them out for many years to come!

An extra special “Thank You” to the following people without whom, this weekend’s Triple Crown would not have been possible: Berto Pasciullo for his many hours of planning and organizing (and thanks for the Port-a-John too!); Alison Pasciullo for her time keeping and scoring; and finally, thanks to the volunteers who gave their own time to help make yours better –Terry Melnick –holding and marshalling, Tim Knutson -marshalling, Frank Wilson -marshalling, Bill Ulakovic –sweeping the crit course and scoring assistance, and Andrew Ross’ grandparents –Judy and Donny -marshalling. The next time you see these people, please take a minute and show your appreciation!