GP Ken Hushvod Report

Lodewick Takes Repeat Win in MWC Opening Time Trial

On a idyllic evening in the heart of Marin County, Jonas Lodewick once again stormed to victory against a stacked field in the opening event of the 2010 Marin World Cup. As PHRO's spring fake race series has grown in stature, so has the quality of the field and this years edition saw local favorites competing against some of the biggest names in pro-cycling.

As the early riders departed from the start house on Butterfield Road, it was clear that it was going to be a very strenuous night for all involved. With clear skies and balmy temperatures, speeds were going to be high but due to heavy rains in the preceding week, much of the course was still a treacherous bog more suited to hunting orchids than bike racing. Also contributing to a high speeds was a lack of the customary high head winds on the Terra Linda Ridge.

As promised, Markus Clijisters was on form and looked to be the odds on early favorite for victory as he had promised. Spectators on the Indian Rock climb reported that Clijisters looked to be enjoying a "Sunday Ride" as was the ease with which he ascended the fearful ascent. A distant fourth behind Hushvod in 2009, Clijisters appeared to be headed to the triumph that he had predicted only days prior.

As the next rider to start behind Clijisters, Hushvod looked strong early, making an early bid to overtake his 30 second man on the Indian Rock.

It appeared, however that his huge effort on the early climb was a case of the Hedgehog's will writing cheques that his body couldn't cash with Clijisters accelerating away from Hushvod on the descent and increasing his time advantage on the Sorich Park climb.

Perhaps the most disappointing performance of the evening was that of veteran fastman, Mathy's Foley whose non-start in 2009 crippled what would have been a otherwise stellar campaign.

Although he admitted during his pre-race press conference that his course knowledge was virtually non-existent, big things were still expected of the East Bay speedster who shot out of the starthouse like his bike was on fire. Only three turns in, however, his aspirations were derailed by local hooligans on the course who waylaid Foley by loosing their dog onto the course as he was approaching the Indian Rock climb. Only a skillful piece of bike handling prevented what surely would have been a spectacular and likely catastrophic crash. Mathy's chances for victory, however, were blown.

All the pieces were falling into place for a Clijisters victory with Hushvod's collapse, Foley's misshap and a stunning lack of form displayed by several other, supposedly stronger combatants. Those whose emotions were running high at the expectation of a Clijisters triumph, had their hopes dashed abruptly when Lodewick attacked the course. One awed bystander described Lodewick's ascent of the Indian Rock to be "as though he were being chased by the Devil himself." It quickly became clear as he stormed through Sorich Park that Lodewick was in a class by himself on this day.

Hushvod, meanwhile, was able to, seemingly by sheer will, grit out a narrow podium spot over a more accomplished rival to save face in the fake race that bears his name. A perhaps somewhat Pyrrhic victory, depending on how it affects his performance in the rest of the MWC, but a victory none the less.