Aaron’s/L5Flyers Storms Into Season with Georgia Cup Victories
Aaron’s/L5Flyers picked up the 2007 season right where they left off in 2006…winning. In just the first few opening weeks of the season, the Aaron’s team has already recorded seven (7) victories and nineteen (19) podiums, including dramatic wins in the Gainesville Georgia Cup and overall Georgia Cup series leads in the Competitive class.
On March 24-25, in the second leg of the Georgia Cup in downtown Gainesville, the team recorded criterium wins in both the Elite and Competitive Categories in front of large and rowdy crowds.
The Elite men faced a field of 80 strong in the nighttime criterium on a tight and bumpy course. A blistering first half of racing and some dramatic crashes reduced the Aaron’s team to just three (3): Joey Rosskopf (Junior Development Team), Ty Tagami, and Chad Strickland. It wasn’t just the Aaron’s team suffering from the tough conditions, by the end of the race only thirty (30) of the eighty (80) racers were still in field. With only a few laps to go, 18-year-old Joey, grew tired of racing with the “old” guys and bridged up to a small breakaway. Coming out of the last corner the breakaway had only a few seconds on the thundering field and Joey sprinted away from his break away companions winning the toughest race of the early season! Another great win for Aaron’s and the Junior Development Team.
After coming off of a dominating the first round of the Georgia Cup in Albany, with great teamwork and tactical skill, Brandon Tai was sitting comfortably in the Overall Leader’s Jersey. Albany saw the emergence of a group of guys dedicated to winning as a team, as not only Brandon won the omnium, but Grant Baldwin took home second place for the weekend and second overall on the series. So going into Gainesville, the team had the unique advantage of racing for the top two guys. Like the Elite field, the Competitive field was large and fast. Half-way through the race Brandon attacked taking only one guy with him. Brandon and his breakaway companion managed to stay away thanks in large part to the Aaron’s team back in the field and Brandon’s large motor. By the end of the race, the other guy was struggling to hang on and Brandon easily sprinted away for his third win of the early season! Grant then stamped the team’s authority on the race by winning the field sprint for 3rd and Dave Bell ended up 8th. After a tough road race, Brandon went on the win the overall General Classification for the weekend with Grant rounding out the podium in third. The Competitive category team of Brandon, Grant, Dave Bell, Graham Swift, Ronnie Bratcher, Jeff Blau, Evan Redwine, Nick Savadelis (Junior Deveolpment Team), and Patrick McGhee (Junior Development Team) have put on a clinic in the opening season.
Other highlights from the few weeks of racing:
Brandon Tai – 1st Albany Road Race
Rick Rheingans -1st Tundra Time Trial
Dave Bell – 1st Spring City Classic
As always, we would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support. The growth and success we have had over the years would not be possible without you. Look for more exciting updates from the Aaron’s/L5Flyers Cycling Team soon!
Photo credits: Aaron LaPonsa (action shots), Ken Rosskopf (podium)
