2007 NBL President's Cup,
Christmas Classic and
UCI Continental Races:
Columbus, Ohio
December 26th-29th, 2007


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OK, check it out.  We have decided to do things a little differently as far as the race coverage goes.  As always, let us know what you think and if you have any caption corrections. 

For those of you who decided to stay home in the days following Christmas, you missed out on some great racing action, but we are here to fill you in with the story.  Wednesday went fairly smoothly with everyone getting two practice sessions to prepare for the President's Cup. Starting the morning, the track was a little on the soft side, but as the day progressed and the riders took their laps, the track made its way to a nice hard surface.

Thursday started off with the traditional President's Cup opening ceremonies.  The state teams took to the track and then, the battles started to heat up.  When the dust settled, at the end of the day, it was not the perennial powerhouse Florida, nor home state past winners Ohio taking the win!  Unseating these two and taking the win was the state of Michigan.

Read on to get an idea of what took place throughout the week.




 

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
Practice Day

Friday, December 28th, 2007
UCI Continental Race #2

Maris Stromberg on his way to the main event win in Elite Men with Kyle Bennett and Cristian Becerine rounding out the top three.

Elite Men's podium from the second of the two continental races.

Samantha Cools on her way to a second victory in the Elite Womens Class. Samantha dominated both of the continental races in Columbus.

Elite Women's podium from the second continental race.

Denzel Stein was on a tear. Here he is on his way to back to back wins in Jr. Men for Redline Bicycles.

Alise Post had to match Denzel with double wins for Jr. Women for Formula Bicycles.

Friday, December 28th, 2007
NBL's Christmas Classic

Thursday, December 27th, 2007
UCI Continental Race #1

Christian Becerine on his way to a main event win in Elite Men for Free Agent Bicycles.

Supercross' Samantha Cools down the first straight alongside Stephanie Barragan. Barragan went down in the first turn while Cools took the win.

Jr. Men headed down the first straight with the People's Pro Denzel Stein on his way to the win.

Alise Post was untouchable during tonights racing. Props to Liz Passwaters taking the two spot in her first Junior race.

Thursday, December 27th, 2007
President's Cup

Ohio was of course bringing the heat. Here is one of the Ohio guys taking the win in 17-24 Expert.

Tyler Faoro had the first straight dialed and, more importantly, could make it through the pro section. Here he is on the way to the win in Elite.

Florida? Yeah they were there. Here is J&R's Grant spinning red spokes for the Sunshine state.

Randy Greco heading to a win for NY.

More Ohio. Jessica Patton cruising to win.

Puerto Rico was in the house.

Holy turnbars! The second straight had everyone going to the air during the President's Cup.

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
Pro Practice Session #2

Free Agent's Christian Becerine

Haro ride of Logan Collins.

DB44.com throwing some style over the second pro set.

DR - Donny Robinson taking his Formula down the second straight.

There is a decent sized crowd of Euros in Columbus to race. Here is one of the Latvian riders heading throught the pro set.

J&R's Jason Bennett buzzing his visor with his front tire over the big pro jump.

Former World Champion, SE Bikes' Javier Comumbo.

Current World Champion and Olympic hopeful, Free Agent's Kyle Bennett.

And yet another Free Agent ride, this time Ramiro Marino.

Ohio local John Miller in control in Columbus.

Matt Pohlkamp looking fast as usual.

Jason Rogers, looking for a ride.

Redline Bicycles' Denzel Stein came to town to race Junior Men.

GT's Randy Stumfhauser showing us how its done.

Jeff Upshaw was absolutely throwing it. He was also lighting the first straight on fire. Look for him to be near the top of the heap this weekend.

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
Pro Practice Session #1

Phil Delizia has made the jump from long time sponsor MCS Bicycles to join the Felt Bicycles Crew for the 2008 season.

Tyler Faoro - full on nose dive mode for Dingo Bicycles.

Gavin Lubbe - Kovachi Wheels tucking to get over the second pro set.

A moment too late. Mike Kapes was nice enough to show off his no hander skills over the big set at Christmas. Our cameras were just a little slow.

Josh Meyers - newly Elite. This kid kept the lowest line over the pro set during the first session, as you can see here.

Style for miles. Jeff Upshaw knows how to throw it.




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