BTU Power Pedal, Bryan, Texas:TMBRA Fall Series Race #3

The BTU Power Pedal took place last weekend in Bryan, Texas. Normally the Bryan race has a lower turn out, but the TMBRA fall series has been cut shorter this year due to hurricane Ike. The Huntsville Classic on September 21st was cancelled this year because of flooding. Since the series is only a few races to begin with, and Huntsville was cancelled, many races showed up to Bryan for a long awaited race.

Although the course conditions were dry and favorable for a fast race and the temperature was only up to the mid 80’s, this course isn’t one of the favorite for racers. The Bryan race is 95% flat with lots of twisty sharp corners. Usually the pro class draws 10-12 racers but instead 16 riders took to the line and started the race. With the course being so tight, it was very important to get a good start and enter the single track in front. Leading the way at first was Brian Fawley (Park Place Lexus) and Rick Wetherald (Solar Eclipse). “It was hard to get into any flow” said Brian Fawley (Park Place Lexus). Craig Kunz (Bicycle Sport Shop) said “The course was the same all the way from start to finish. It was hard to tell where you were. The theme of the day was: pedal, pedal, turn, turn…” After the pace settled in, Mitch Comardo (Gary Fisher 29er) made his way to the front of the pack riding a Gary Fisher 29er single speed. This was the right course to ride a single speed and Comardo used it to his advantage. Comardo rode with the leaders for awhile and then surged ahead and won the race easily by 2 minutes over Wetherald in 2nd and Fawley in 3rd. This is Comardo’s first win in the TMBRA series, but he has been riding faster and faster every race. If he continues to look this good this won’t be his last win.

There are 2 races left on the fall series schedule. The next race will be in Ruston, La on October 25th and 26th. Ruston is the premier race on the fall series schedule. It draws the biggest crowds because of its stage racing format. Stage 1 and 2 will be on Saturday with a short track race and a time trial. Stage 3 will be Sunday morning with a cross country race. The last race of the series will be in Smithville, TX on November 9th.

BTU Classic Results:

1 Mitchell Comardo 2:08:03 Gary Fisher 29er
2 Rick Wetherald 2:10:08 Solar Eclipse
3 Bryan Fawley 2:11:10 Park Place Lexus
4 Tracy Martin 2:11:21 Raising Cane's
5 Matthew Davis 2:11:58 MAD DUCK
6 Tristan Uhl 2:12:14 Hotel San Jose
7 Sean Sindt 2:14:15 Bicycle Sport Shop
8 Nathan Winkelmann 2:14:55 Bike Lane/Winkelmann Asset
9 Jorge Munoz 2:14:56 Gold's Gym Laredo
10 Noel Reuter 2:17:36 Bicycle Sport Shop
11 Chris Carlson 2:17:48
12 Keith Hargis 2:20:37 Team Coady & Lewis
13 Heath Weisbrod 2:21:02 Larson Cycle
14 Craig Kunz 2:22:14 Bicycle Sport Shop
15 Tyler Jewell 2:45:29 Hotel San Jose