Daily Wrap-Up

RAAM Daily Wrap-Up: Day 9

As the race nears its thrilling conclusion, the lead changes hands in both male and female solo competitions.

RAAM Solo Male

It’s finally happened; the 2009 Race Across America has a new solo male leader. After four days of slowly closing the gap, wearing his rival down bit by bit, Dani Wyss caught and passed Jure Robic after the Slovenian suffered a puncture. After seven days of racing, there was the unbelievable scenario of the two frontrunners and their support teams racing just 50 metres apart, in clear view of one another.

Swopping the lead
Of course, things didn’t stay quite like this. The lead swopped hands as the riders took brief stops, before Robic put 16 minutes into Wyss. Because of his time penalty of an hour – which comes into play at TS #51 in Mt Airy - the four-time champ has to bring the fight to his rival. In the race’s closing 180 miles, he must put a further forty-five minutes into Wyss.

The advantage lies with the Swiss man; he has the motivation of knowing he is in pole position for a famous dethroning of Robic. Moreover, he can judge his effort on the Slovenian’s times; it is easier psychologically to be chasing someone than being chased. Still, it is a case of ‘easier said than done’: you can bet that Jure Robic will use every ounce of his remaining power, energy and tactical nous to outfox his opponent.

The all-important hour penalty: Robic’s three infringements
-15 minutes. Passing at night on freeway without the use of an exit ramp.
-15 minutes. Inappropriate behaviour at the start.
-30 minutes. Rider failed to return to departure point after making a wrong turn.

Though 500 miles out, Gulewicz and Baloh are still riding well in third and fourth. Kevin Kaiser has managed to open a breathing space of a few hours over Jim Rees in the battle for fifth; he is now potential Rookie of the Year and the fastest American on the road.

Middle-order excitement
As if the battle between Robic and Wyss was not exciting enough, there is more close action in the middle-order. Rees, Colativa road pro Christopher Gottwald, Claudio Clarindo and Ben Popp are all locked in a battle for sixth, within four hours of one another. With eight-hundred miles to go, they still have just over three days of racing to sort this one out. All seem to be riding at similar paces, so it could go down to the wire.

Tomorrow…
It’s Judgement Day for the RAAM – by this time tomorrow, we will know whether Dani Wyss has taken Jure Robic’s crown, or whether the race legend has taken a fifth victory from the jaws of defeat. Either way, the fans are the real winners. This has been one of the most exciting, nerve-wracking and action-packed RAAMs in years.

The remaining time stations for Wyss and Robic
TS #49: Rouzerville (732ft altitude), PA, 48 miles long, 2885.4 miles out of 3016.7
TS #50: Hanover, PA (666ft), 39.0 miles, 2924.4/3016.7
TS #51: Mt Airy, MD (789ft), 37.8 miles, 2962.1/3016.7
TS #52: Odenton, MD (172ft), 39.4 miles, 3001.6/3016.7
TS #53: Annapolis, MD (10ft), 15.2 miles, FINISH 3016.7/3016.7

As the two leaders head through Pennsylvania into Maryland and descend to an East Coast finish in Annapolis, the other soloists are still riding 600-odd miles back, through Ohio and Illinois.

1. Jure Robic (Slo) 2841.00 miles – TS #48- 7d 18h 36m (15.23mph)
2. Dani Wyss (Swi) 2841.00 miles – 7d 18h 52m (15.20mph)
3. Gerhard Gulewicz (Aut) 2642.00 miles – TS #44 - 7d 17h 09m (14.27mph)
4. Marko Baloh (Slo) 2516.30 miles – TS #42 - 7d 19h 26m (13.43mph)
5. Kevin Kaiser (Usa) 2295.30 miles – TS #38 - 7d 19h 21m (12.25mph)
6. Jim Rees / Team Inspiration (Gbr) 2230.20 miles – TS #37 – 7d 17h 43m (12.01mph)
7. Christopher Gottwald / Miles for Mentoring (Usa) 2230.20 miles – 7d 19h 34m (11.89mph)
8. Claudio Clarindo (Bra) 2230.20 miles – 7d 19h 39m (11.88mph)
9. Ben Popp (Usa) 2230.20 miles – 7d 21h 12m (11.79mph)
10. Daniel Rudge (Usa) 2156.10 miles – TS #36 – 7d 19h 05m (11.52mph)
11. Richard Newey (Gbr) 2156.10 miles – 7d 19h 54m (11.47mph)
12. Michael Cook (Usa) 2105.80 miles – TS #35 - 7d 19h 29m (11.23mph)
DNFPeter Oyler (Can) 1614.50 miles – TS #27 – 4d 22h 51m (13.58mph)
DNFTony O’Keeffe (Can) 1576.30 miles – TS #26 – 5d 3h 01m (12.81mph)
DNFChristoph Strasser (Aut) 1471.50 miles – TS #21 – 4d 6h 43m (14.33mph)
DNFFranz Preihs (Aut) 1044.10 miles – TS #18 – 3d 11h 08m (12.56mph)
DNFJulian Sanz Garcia (Spa) 934.20 miles – TS #16 – 3d 01h 02m (12.79mph)
DNFJean Marc Velez (Fra) 934.20 miles - TS #16 - 3d 5h 42m (12.02mph)
DNFBill Bradley (Usa) 884.10 miles – TS #15 – 3d 22h 42m (9.34mph)
DNF Patrick Autissier (Fra) 563.00 miles - TS #9 - 2d 01h 59m (11.26mph)
DNF Scott Luikart (Usa) 396.70 miles – TS #6 – 1d 04h 39m (13.85mph)

RAAM Solo Female
The lead also changed hands unexpectedly in the solo female race, where there is a battle to rival Wyss vs. Robic. After almost 2,000 miles at the head of the race, it appears that Janet Christiansen is not coping as well with the pace. Her Brazillian rival Daniela Genovesi is coping better with fatigue and turned what was a six-hour deficit two days ago into a 52-minute lead going through TS #38 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Brave Ann Wooldridge is still soldiering on, nursing the wounds from her recent crash. Although she was four minutes late at a time-cut, she was allowed to continue. It is all about keeping and maintaing a 10mph average now for the 50 year-old.

1. Daniela Genovesi (Bra) 2295.30 miles – TS #38 – 8d 17h 09m (10.97mph)
2. Janet Christiansen (Usa) 2295.30 miles – 8d 17h 57m (10.93mph)
DNFMichele Santilhano (Rsa) 884.10 miles – TS #15 – 3d 14h 01m (10.28mph)

RAAM Solo Female 50-59
1. Ann Wooldridge 2105.80 miles – TS #35 – 8d 20h 29m (9.91mph)

RAAM Solo Male 50-59
Dominique Briand had a good day in the saddle, his average speed barely dropping at all. 900 miles from the finish, he needs to keep repeating this if he is to stay in the time cut. Unfortunately, at last check, his rival Hermann Bachmann had not passed a time station for 16 hours and is off the “official” RAAM radar.

1. Dominique Briand (Fra) 2156.10 miles – TS #36 – 7d 19h 03m (11.53mph)
2. Hermann Bachmann (Swi) 1614.50 miles – TS #27 – 7d 03h 35m (9.41mph)

RAAM Solo Male 60-59
Sexagenarian Paul Danhaus is still ploughing his lonely furrow in the East. His average speed dropped by 0.4mph over the day, and Danhaus needs to keep going and grind out those miles if he is to reach Annapolis. Having come so far, it would be a tragedy for such a fine ride to not be rewarded.

1. Paul Danhaus (Usa) 2358.50 miles – TS #39 – 8d 17h 38m (11.25mph)

RAAM Teams

RAAM 8-Person Open
All eyes may be on Robic and Wyss, but they might not be the first 2009 RAAM competitors across the line. No, barring a serious, unforeseen problem or sudden jelly legs, that honour could go to Team Type 1, who are 130 miles ahead of their closest eight-man rivals. They have given their challengers a lesson in how to ride an eight-up competition: from planning to nutrition provision and changeovers, they have been among the most efficient.

The jewel in the crown would be the RAAM average speed record. Their average speed of 23.6mph is currently better than last year’s winning octet and record-holders BMC, who clocked 23.2mph over the 3,016 mile course.

Elsewhere, there is no change in the standings. Team ViaSat look dead-set for second place, with Team Donate Life’s Give Hope squad still comfortably in front of their Liverators team in the fight for third place.

1. Team Type 1 (Usa) 2797.30 miles – TS #47 – 4d 22h 32m (23.60mph)
2. Team ViaSat (Usa) 2642.00 miles – TS #44 – 4d 20h 54m (22.60mph)
3. Team Donate Life – Give Hope (Usa) 2458.20 miles – TS #41 – 4d 23h 01m (20.65mph)
4. Team Donate Life – Liverators (Usa) 2295.30 miles – TS #38 – 4d 22h 33m (19.36mph)
5. Bike M.A.D (Gbr) 2230.20 miles – TS #37 – 4d 21h 52m (18.92mph)
6. Team Vera Bradley (Usa) 2156.10 miles – TS #36 – 4d 22h 12m (18.24mph)
7. Team Type 2 (Usa) 2059.80 miles – TS #34 – 4d 21h 22m (17.55mph)
8. The Caledonian Chain Gang (Gbr) 1911.70 miles – TS #32 – 4d 23h 06m (16.05mph)

RAAM 4-Person Male
The big news from the RAAM team races in the early hours was the unexpected withdrawal of Team Surfing USA. After a flying start, the celebrity foursome – including pro surfer Laird Hamilton and Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Hungerford – had dropped to the second. However, there was no ostensible cause for concern. The reasons for their DNF was a crash; Jason Winn was worst-affected by the tumble. At the moment, they remain the only team in this year’s event to have dropped out. Best wishes to the pair, who rode superbly for four days, averaging a touch over 20mph.

Their withdrawal makes life a lot easier for Team RANS, who might have envisaged a tooth-and-nail battle to the line. As it is, with 500 miles left to race, the foursome lead Team Strong Heart by five hours, with OC Quattro up to third. However, their position is coming under threat from a push from the Austria Triathlon Team.

Elsewhere, Vencendo Desafios Team Brasil lead Berliner for sixth by just fourteen minutes, while German quartet Equipe Schwarz have caught and passed Drew’s Crew for ninth.

1. Team RANS (Usa) 2458.20 miles – TS #41 – 4d 21h 44m (20.88mph)
2. Team Strong Heart (Usa) 2358.50 miles – TS #39 – 4d 22h 22m (19.93mph)
3. OC Quattro (Usa) 2295.30 miles – TS #38 – 4d 22h 13m (19.42mph)
4. Austria Triathlon Team (Aut) 2295.30 miles – 4d 22h 32m (19.36mph)
5. Vencendo Desafios Team Brazil (Bra) 2059.80 miles – TS #34 – 4d 22h 06m (17.44mph)
6. Berliner (Ger) 2059.80 miles – 4d 22h 18m (17.41mph)
7. Team SaveBuzzard’sBay.org (Usa) 1987.30 miles – TS #33 – 4d 20h 12m (17.10mph)
8. Ari’s Angels (Usa) 1987.30 miles – 4d 22h 33m (16.76mph)
9. Equipe Schwarz (Ger) 1911.70 miles – TS #32 – 4d 20h 14m (16.45mph)
10. Drew’s Crew (Usa) 1911.70 miles – TS #32 – 4d 20h 20m (16.43mph)
11. Team Can Be Venture (Usa) 1804.30 miles – TS #30 – 4d 22h 09m (15.27mph)
DNF Team Surfing USA (Usa) 1911.70 miles – TS #32 – 3d 21h 51m (20.37mph)

RAAM 4-Person Male 50-59
The Georgia Chain Gang are keeping up their strong, steady progress on this race as they go through Illinois. With just under 1,000 miles to race, they are acquitting themselves well – their average speed increased in the last day.

1. Georgia Chain Gang (Usa) 2105.80 miles – TS #35 – 4d 20h 24m (18.09mph)

RAAM 4-Person 75+
The end is in sight for the four team members that make up the Great Grand PAC Masters – they are a day away from the finish in Annapolis and, god willing, a huge ovation for their incredible achievement.

1. Great Grand PAC Masters (Usa) 2797.30 miles – TS #47 – 8d 01h 22m (14.47mph)

RAAM 4-Person Mixed 50-59
German team Buchholz goes America could be another outfit on course for a RAAM average speed record, if they can keep up their current rate over the next 900 miles. They also lie just fourteen minutes behind younger competitors Team Human Science.

1. Buchholz goes America (Ger) 2156.10 miles – TS #36 – 4d 20h 58m (18.43mph)

RAAM 4-Person Mixed
It is going to take some ride from Team Human Science to take glory from All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia – though they are holding their rivals at the same speed now, they are still almost 200 miles behind and running out of road.

1. All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia (Usa) 2358.50 miles – TS #39 – 4d 22h 50m (19.85mph)
2. Team Human Science (Gbr) 2156.10 miles – TS #36 – 4d 20h 44m (18.47mph)
3. Sami’s Team (Usa) 2059.80 miles – TS #34 – 4d 23h 27m (17.24mph)

RAAM 2-Person Male
Are Adventures for the Cure slowing down? Whereas rivals E-HUB TEAM sped up yesterday, Driscoll and Blair lost about 0.6mph from their average speed. There’s no need to panic, but a similar day tomorrow, and we would be in line for a grandstand finish.

Meanwhile, 50-59 competitors Team Reaching Heights are still riding well, a few hours down on E-HUB.

1. Adventures for the Cure (Usa) 2230.20 miles – TS #37 – 4d 23h 36m (18.65mph)
2. E-HUB TEAM (Slo) 2105.80 miles – TS #35 – 4d 23h 34m (17.61mph)

RAAM 2-Person Male 50-59
1. Team Reaching Heights (Usa) 2059.80 miles – TS #34 - 4d 22h 10m (17.43mph)

RAAM 2-Person Mixed
The SpinVox Adventurers were another team to enjoy a fine fourth day on American soil, upping their average speed as they pedal on towards the final 1,000 miles.

1. SpinVox Adventurers (Gbr) 1853.10 miles – TS #31 - 4d 22h 26m (15.65mph)

RAAM Open Open
1. Team JDRF (Usa) 2295.30 miles – TS #38 – 4d 16h 59m (20.32mph)