After his win, Rohr (pictured) is now leading the Men's Master's Category 3/4 (or Masters Cat. B) racers by 15 points with three races remaining in the 2009 BikeReg.com MABRAcross Series sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association (MABRA). Rohr joins fellow AFC riders Patrick Blair (Men's 3/4), Jimmy Klose (Men's Cat 4) and daughter Avy Rohr (Junior U16 Women) as current point series leaders in their respective divisions.
In team standings after Tacchino Ciclocross (Race #5) in the MABRAcross series, the top three teams were:
1. C3-Athletes Serving Athletes (60 points)
2. Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV (44 points)
3. Adventures For the Cure (35 points)
AFC co-founder Adam Driscoll, remains in 2nd place with 432 points after his 4th place podium finish at Urban Cross. Driscoll is just 14 points shy of new MABRA Cyclocross Series leader Jared Neiters (Haymarket Bicycles/ Home Visit). In other , AFC board member Mike "Weezal" Caputi and rider Kevin Luckeroth each had his best career finish in a cyclocross race in Men's Cat. 4. Also in action, 15-year old Jimmy Klose snagged his first Category 3/4 series points and podium placing by finishing in 4th place just behind AFC co-founder Patrick "Pattt" Blair in 3rd at Urban Cross at Ix.
Interview with Keith Rohr (Adventures for the Cure)
Keith Rohr (pictured) racing at the 2009 Tacchino Ciclocross. [Photo courtesy of Joseph W. Metro]
DH: Keith, congratulations on your first win in cyclocross. Based on the results posted on crossresults.com, it appears that you did a lot of work in the off-season preparing for this year. Is that right?
KR: I started preparing for the 2009 cyclocross season in the late winter. I almost didn't race this year because of work-related hassles, but things turned around for me. I did a lot of mountain biking and entered the first Michaux Endurance Series race in early May and felt exceptionally good. Six weeks prior I had dramatically changed my diet and went completely vegan. Oddly enough, by June, the diet led to so much weight loss that my arms weakened and actually gave out during a mountain bike race in Massanutten causing me to separate my left shoulder. Fortunately, the shoulder was much better by the time cyclocross season started and the discipline of the rehab process helped me with my training discipline.
DH: With five top 5 finishes this season, was there anything different in your preparation for Urban Cross at Ix that led to your win?
KR: Funny. I almost didn't race Urban Cross because it seemed like a long way to go for a race. However, I knew AFC was gaining on the team points and I wanted to contribute to the team efforts by having a good race at Urban Cross. It turned out to be a good call because several of the team members did well that day. I can't say I did anything different other than making sure I rested well two or three days prior.
DH: Is your goal to win the Master's Category 3/4 35+ MABRAcross championship?
KR: My original goal set back in the late winter was to place in the top 5 of the cyclocross races that I entered. After Charm City Cross I knew I was strong enough to win a race, so my new goal was to win a race or two at the Master's 3/4 level. I'd like to finish the year as the season points leader, but that's more of a formality because there is no jersey awarded at my level. Either way, it's a nice measurement of my progress in the sport. If the season ended now, I'd say that it's been a successful year for me.
DH: Are you ready to be upgraded to the Master's Elite Category 1/2/3 races?
KR: I'd like to get another win under my belt at one of the upcoming races at Howard County Double Cross and then finish the season at the at the Master's 1/2/3 level for the MABRA Cross Championship in Taneytown, Md. That would be a great way to close out the season and get a nice taste for what's in store for next year.
DH: So, who do you have to thank for getting you to this point?
KR: Oh boy, that's a long list. First and foremost, forever thanks to my wife, Stacey, who never flinches when I say I want to do something bike related. It takes a lot of pressure off you when your wife is behind you during the race season. Another big prop goes to my coach, Rodger Carter. He's always believed in me even when I didn't believe in me. He is the cornerstone for my training in 2009. Of course, I can't forget my team-mates and ride-mates, Adventures for the Cure and TheMorningRide. I wouldn't be racing if my friends weren't racing with me. You guys rock!!!
Author's Note: Keith Rohr is the founder of Maryland Physical Therapy, a proud sponsor of Adventures for the Cure. Keith competed on AFC's 2008 Race Across America (RAAM) 4-man team.
BikeReg.com MABRAcross Series Point Standings
With 6 of 9 events complete, MABRAcross points and standings for Adventures for the Cure riders are as follows:
Men's Category 1/2/3 (Elite/Cat A) (57 riders, leader with 446 pts)
2. Adam Driscoll (432 pts)
34. Patrick Blair (82 pts)
Master's Category 1/2/3 35+ (55 riders, leader with 560 pts)
15. Jonathan Houghton (162 pts)
Men's Category 3/4 (Cat B) (76 riders, leader with 134 pts)
1. Patrick Blair (134 pts)
26. Jimmy Klose (24 pts)
Master's Category 3/4 35+ (69 riders, leader with 164 pts)
1. Keith Rohr (164 pts)
37. Steve Klose (16 pts)
Master's Category 3/4 45+ (52 riders, leader with 153 pts)
6. Steve Klose (102 pts)
13. Dave Tambeaux (39 pts)
40. Jim Klender (11 pts)
Men's Category 4 (Cat C) (23 riders, leader with 16 pts)
1T. Jimmy Klose (16 pts) [upgraded to Cat. 3/4]
8T. Daniel Atkins (5 pts)
Women's Category 4 (20 riders, leader with 13 pts)
3T. Lynda Artusio (5 pts)
20. Kari Petyak (1 pt)
Juniors U18 (8 riders, leader with 147 pts)
3. Tommy Klose (129 pts)
Juniors U16 - Men (11 riders, leader with 151 pts)
8. Alec West (40 pts)
Juniors U16 - Women (3 riders, leader with 170 pts)
1. Avy Rohr (170 pts)
Next up ...
Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22: Howard County Double Cross, Races #7 and #8 of the MABRAcross Series, held in Highland and Elkridge, Md., and presented by Schooley Mill Cross and Rockburn Cross.
About Maryland Physical Therapy
Maryland Physical Therapy (MPT) located in Glen Burnie is dedicated to providing an atmosphere which promotes optimal healing. MPT offers a variety of services related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunctions and to the enhancement of physical health and functional abilities. To learn more, visit http://www.marylandpt.net/.
About Adventures For The Cure
Adventures For The Cure (AFC), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and USA Cycling club which exists to raise awareness for diabetes, to show those diagnosed with diabetes and their families how leading a healthy and active lifestyle can move you beyond your perceived limits, and to raise funds for diabetes research. The organization also raises awareness and funds for other causes that the board of directors has selected. For more details, visit http://adventuresforthecure.com/.
No comments:
Post a Comment