Barry-Roubaix

Barry-Roubaix

Barry-Roubaix trophy
Race details
Date 4th Saturday in March
Region Michigan, USA
Nickname(s) Killer Gravel Road Race
Discipline Cyclo-cross, Gravel Grinder
History
First edition 2009 (2009)
Editions 7 (as of 2015)
First winner Michael Simonson & Mackenzie Woodring
Most recent David Lombardo & Mackenzie Woodring

Barry-Roubaix[1] is a classic-style road/off road cycling race featuring a variety of terrain and surfaces to test cyclists of all skill levels. The course is located in Barry County, Michigan near the Gun Lake Unit of Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Most years, Barry-Roubaix consists of rolling gravel roads (80%), pavement, one mile of rough two-track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing.[2] The race features three distinct levels of competition corresponding to different race course distances. The Beginner/Intermediate riders complete a 24-mile course, the Expert riders complete a 34-mile course, and the Elite/Pro riders complete a 62-64 mile course. The name "Barry-Roubaix" was selected in a naming competition; it is a reference to the famous spring classic Paris–Roubaix one day professional cycling race held in France.[3] Barry-Roubaix is held annually on the fourth Saturday in March. Participants use a variety of bicycle types (cyclocross, mountain, road, fat), depending on course conditions and individual preferences.

History

2009

Started in 2009, Barry-Roubaix's inaugural event staging took place at the historic Long Lake Outdoor Center in Middleville, Michigan, also in Barry County, Michigan. On March 28, the 274 racers[4] were treated to perfect conditions; cool and sunny weather prevailed.

2010

The race was moved to Gun Lake State Park due to anticipated growth in attendance. The 2010 race was held on March 27. 673 racers[4] faced sunny but cold conditions, as the race start temperatures were only 34 degrees with a 15 mph biting wind out of the southeast.

2011

The 2011 edition was held on March 26, in very cold conditions.[5] Over 1000 participants started the race, but only 896 finished; 114 racers completed the 65 mile course (male winner: Erik Box, female winner: Samantha Brode); 564 racers completed the 35 mile course (male winner: Don Cameron; female winner: Kathy Everts); and 218 racers completed the 23 mile course (male winner: Trevor Smela; female winner: Sherry Martin).[6][7][8]

2012

In 2012, Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race served as the second of five events in the American UltraCx Championship Series (stages ranging from 80 to 115 km).[9][10]

2013

Consistent with the increase in popularity of gravel road racing (also known as 'Gravel Grinders') in the United States, the 2013 event was moved again, this time to downtown Hastings, MI. The new start/finish area was well received by the City, local residents and racers.[11] Registration for the fifth annual Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race increased by almost three-fold, to 2873 registered participants.[12] An unexpected snowstorm created unusually harsh conditions, and the race course was altered at the last minute to avoid the treacherous Sager Road two track section.[12] Despite the course alteration, the race almost lived up its "Killer" name, as a participant collapsed on the course but was later revived by a medical team.[13] The 2013 title sponsor was Founders Brewing.[14]

2014

The 2014 edition was held on March 22; the event has been classified as the world's largest gravel road race with over 3000 participants.[15][16][17]

2015

Media coverage leading up to the 7th annual Barry-Roubaix (28 March 2015) focused on a forecast for unseasonably cold temperatures, and anticipation of a large field size and podium payouts.[18] In both the men's and women's 62 mile Open Category races, early breakaways defined the outcome of the day. 2008 Summer Paralympics Gold medalist Mackenzie Woodring (Lowell, MI) took the 2015 Barry-Roubaix Women's Open trophy with a finish time more than five minutes faster than runner-up and 2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team United States Elite Women's Team Member,[19][20] Crystal Anthony (Beverly, MA). This win marked Woodring's fourth Barry-Roubaix victory in seven attempts. In contrast, Men's Open Category 2015 Barry-Roubaix Champion, David Lombardo (Crystal Lake, IL), established and held an early lead for most of the 62 mile race, but finished only 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Nathaniel Beams (Fort Collins, CO).[21]

2016

The 2016 Barry-Roubaix was pushed back until April 16, 2016 to avoid a conflict with Easter. The later starting date presented riders with a new and virtually unheard of challenge for this race, heat. The average temperature for the 62 mile race was 70F which was a full 41 degrees warmer than the average temperature from previous year. Dry and dusty course conditions made for a fast race which took on the character of a road race with large pelotons staying together until the finish. The top four riders all had the same finishing time (2:54:56), with Rudyard Peterson (Credit Velo-Trek, MI) winning the sprint at the line. The top nine riders came in within one second of one another. On the women's side, it was a different story with Rachel Langdon (Kentucky, US) finishing almost 7 minutes ahead of Christine Thornburg (Psimet Racing, IL) with a time of 3:08:37.

References

  1. ↑ "Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race". www.barry-roubaix.com. Kisscross Events. 2015. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  2. ↑ Meyerson, Howard (21 Mar 2010). "Cyclists take to gravel roads in Barry-Roubaix". The Grand Rapids Press. Barry County, Michigan. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  3. ↑ Hancock, Brian (29 Mar 2010). "2010 Barry-Roubaix: Full report, results, and photos". Cyclocross Magazine.
  4. 1 2 "Race results". www.barry-roubaix.com. Kisscross Events. 2011. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2012. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  5. ↑ Parsons, Thom (29 March 2011). "Barry Roubaix Men's Elite 65 Highlights 2011". www.cyclingdirt.org. cyclingdirt. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "65 mile results, 2011". http://www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  7. ↑ "35 mile results, 2011". http://www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  8. ↑ "23 mile results, 2011". http://www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014. External link in |website= (help)
  9. ↑ Plite, Rick (25 Mar 2012). Barry-Roubaix: The Killer Gravel Road Race (Promoter Recap) (video). Hastings, MI USA: cyclingdirt.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-22. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  10. ↑ "American UltraCX Races". ultracx.com. 2014. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  11. ↑ Bures, Frank (13 Mar 2013). "On the Groad: Gravel riding has exploded over the past few years. Frank Bures tries to figure out where it's going -- and if that even matters.". Outside Online. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  12. 1 2 ., Molly (21 Mar 2013). "BARRY ROUBAIX: 62 MILES OF DIRT, GRAVEL AND SNOW". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 4 Jan 2015.
  13. ↑ Ponsetto, Sandra (28 Mar 2013). "Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race nearly lives up to its name". The Hastings Banner. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  14. ↑ "Founders Brewing Co. and Kisscross Events Host Annual Bicycle Race". Brewbound: Craft beer news, events & jobs. Grand Rapids, MI. 17 Jan 2013. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  15. ↑ Chance, Todd (19 March 2014). "Founders Barry-Roubaix: Largest gravel road bicycle race set for Saturday". mlive.com. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  16. ↑ Kopecky, George (18 April 2014). "Barry Roubaix Recap". www.slowtwitch.com. slowtwitch. Retrieved 22 Dec 2014.
  17. ↑ Cruikshank, Aaron (26 Mar 2014). "MANAGE YOUR LOSSES—A BARRY ROUBAIX RACE RECAP". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  18. ↑ Reimann, Andrew (27 March 2015). "2015 Founders Brewing Barry-Roubaix Gravel Race Weekend Preview". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "USA Cycling announces 2015 world cyclocross championship squads". velonews.com. 13 Jan 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  20. ↑ Reimann, Andrew (31 Jan 2015). "Ferrand Prevot outsprints Cant to become the new Women's Elite World Champion, Vos third after six straight titles". cxmagazine.com. Tabor, Czech Republic. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  21. ↑ Reimann, Andrew (29 March 2015). "Two Breakaways at the 2015 Barry-Roubaix Gravel Race: Full results and interview with winner Mackenzie Woodring". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan. Retrieved 30 March 2015.

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