Downers Grove, IL was bustling on the weekend of August 15-16th as the city prepared for supportive fans and anxious racers competing for the U.S. National Criterium Championships. While many national championships change venues on an annual basis Downers Grove, IL has been the home of the National Criterium Champs for the past 23 years. This year as before, the course was a twisty 8-turn 1.1 mile loop nestled in the heart of downtown Downers Grove. Although the course was not too technical for most racers, it proved to be a hard and fast course for the racers in top form.
The Wheaton Franciscan category 3 team gathered the day before the race at The Bike Lab hosted by Coach Dave. We enjoyed a ride, did some last minute preps to the bikes and enjoyed a nice dinner and great social time. Again, thanks to Coach Dave for the fantastic dinner and overall weekend hospitality at his home.
Wheaton entered a team of 6 guys with David Paquette, Bryan Fosler, Jon Cook, Garrett McAllister, Nick Frye and Addison Faul. The field of over 70 was one of the largest of the season. With so many riders on an eight-corner course, the race was jumpy, and nervous. Fortunately, the category 3 racers enjoyed a dry course and a fairly safe race. Riders bunched up in corners and commonly made risky attempts to move 
up in position. This was a race of positioning from the gun. Wheaton held on strong and every rider did their part to drive the pace, chase down break attempts, and help keep Paquette in good position. With five laps to go Cook took to the front and drove the pace hard for a few laps to help set up a lead out, but the constant aggression from other riders swarming for position was too great and riders bunched in. With two laps to go, Paquette and Fosler grabbed positions amongst the top 6 riders and worked hard to stay there. The final lap bell rang and the pack swallowed up the road as the riders rounded the first corner. The last 7 turns were a constant struggle to maintain position for the sprint as the field behind Fosler and Paquette constantly attacked for position. A major crash ended the day for at least 10 riders on corner 5 but all the Wheaties manage to avoid the carnage. Joel Friedman (Aurora, IL) from Bicycle Heaven took a flyer down the big hill on the last lap and managed to hold off the field for an impressive win.
Both Paquette and Fosler were the leaders for the team and came in with strong results of 6th and 13th. The Team worked together well and each member played a part in having a chance for the win in that last lap.
Downers Grove National Crit Championships has been a focal point for the team since the beginning of the season and despite a tough race, the Team succeeded in placing riders in the sprint for a shot at the win. Although this was the team’s last official road event, Downer’s Grove was a successful note to end what has been an awesome season for the Wheaton Franciscan Cat 3 Development Team. Thanks again to our team, the sponsors and Coach Dave for all the assistance and support throughout the whole season. We are already looking forward to another great year in 2010!