Fitchburg Longsjo Classic: Van Cleef wins the Point's Classification
Fitchburg, MA – Roy Van Cleef successfully swept the points classification in the 49th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race, gaining the points lead on the second day of the Wachusett Mountain Road Race and never letting go! NEBC/Cycle Loft/Devonshire Dental was a little short manned in the pure Category 2 race due to a string of unlucky crashes and illness’ leading up to the race, but you would never have known from the fantastic support performances by team mates Peter Bradshaw and Peter Shapiro.
After the uphill time trial where Bradshaw lead the way for NEBC coming in 28th with a supurb ride just outside of 18 minutes, the team plan was to go after the points jersey or perhaps a stage win. Roy initiated an early break in the 2nd day’s 92 mile Wachusett Mountain Road Race, which stayed off the front while Shapiro and Bradshaw covered moves and blocked. Roy’s break of 5 was able to stay away for most of the race, giving Roy a 55 point lead going in to the 3rd Day and the first points jersey of the race!
The 50 mile Fitchburg State College Circuit Race had lots of points up for grabs, and a few strong contenders for the points jersey emerged from Noreast Cycling and Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Amateur Team, but the team defended well on the tough 3.1 mile circuit and Roy increased his lead in the points competition to 90 points!
In the final 50 mile Worker’s Credit Union Downtown Fitchburg Criterium, the team worked hard to defend Roy’s lead. Covering the early moves and delivering Roy to the front on sprint laps. Late in the race, a strong move of 3 (including ex-NEBCer Kevin Wolfson from Fitness Together/Independent Fabrication presented by Lionette’s) going after the glory of the stage win (and perhaps a few spots on GC) goes off the front; this break swallows up the rest of the points and secures the victory for Roy and NEBC!
Thanks to all the NEBC Supporters and Sponsors that came out and watched, cheered, and helped out! The team had plenty of help in the Feed Zone, Mechanical Support from the Cycle Loft and more waterbottles than we knew what to do with from Devonshire Dental.