TREK/VW TEAM RIDERS LEAD TWO NATIONAL SERIES
For anyone who may have thought that the 2005 Trek/VW Pro Factory team lacked the punch of its earlier years, the early season NORBA National results are quickly proving otherwise. Following a weekend of top results at the NORBA National opener in Texas, which included both Jeremiah Bishop’s Marathon win and overall stage race victory and Sue Haywood’s second place in the grueling XC race, the Trek/VW Pro Factory squad rolled out of last weeks round two event in Arizona on the top of the podium once again.
Following a short training camp in Sedona, Arizona between the two NORBA nationals, the team descended upon the sprawling city of Phoenix determined to once again take top team honors – and that’s just what they did.
Starting off the weekend was the 82 mile Marathon. With teammate Bishop taking a pass this weekend, five-time 24 Hour World Champ Chris Eatough backed up his second place finish in Texas with a commanding ten minute plus victory. Eatough put his Volkswagen backed Trek Top Fuel 110 into an early lead and never looked back. Following these two races, the Maryland rider assumes the NORBA leaders jersey going into April’s prestigious Sea Otter Classic.
Rounding out the Marathon podium was up and coming endurance rider, and second year Trek/VW Factory rider, Todd Helmick. Todd planned to use his four hour-plus stint in the saddle for some much needed training as he would soon be departing for South Africa to contest the eight day long Cape Epic Marathon. Todd, who is a W. Virginia firefighter in real life, will compete in the team event with the Tim Brink, the editor Bicycling South Africa.
In the women’s race, two-time NORBA National champion Sue Haywood not only won the time trial, but she took the overall stage race title as well. Sue never finished below third in any of the three races she competed in – a second place finish in the shorttrack actually decided in a photo finish. Like Eatough, Haywood and her OCLV Trek Top Fuel 110 left Arizona wearing the coveted NORBA National leader jersey. Following her Arizona overall win, Haywood plans to compete at the Redlands Classic road race before making her final preparations for the Sea Otter Classic.
Look for the entire Trek/VW team, plus a number of our equally hard-charging Trek/VW Factory team riders to continue their winning ways at the Sea Otter Classic at Laguna Seca Raceway, April 15-17.
The Trek/VW team would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support: Volkswagen of America, Shimano, Rock Shox, Nike, Bontrager, JBL, Swany gloves, Zeal Optics, AMD, Light & Motion, Pedros, JanSport, Cane Creek, Genuine Innovations, IMBA.
