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Tampa criterium honors late coach with big turnout

 
Published March 4, 1994|Updated Oct. 6, 2005

More than 300 cyclists, including several national champions, showed up Sunday to race in honor of the late cycling coach Stan Anderson. The turnout for the third annual Stan Anderson Memorial Criterium at Woodlands Corporate Park made the work of Tampa's BBC Club more than worthwhile.

"We will continue to have this race for as long as I am around," said U.S. Cycling Federation district representative Joel Goldmacher. "When Stan was in the hospital, before he passed away, he asked me to keep BBC going. Club support for this annual event has been just tremendous."

Winner of the Pro 1-2 category, or Expert/Elite as it is now called, was Radisa Cubric (Guiltless Gourmet), an Olympic cyclist from Yugoslavia and a winter resident of Tampa. Cubric outsprinted the field after first completing a 40-mile ride. He then logged another 45 miles in the late afternoon.

"Yes, I must ride 500 miles per week," Cubric said. "I'm preparing to go to the Tour of Redlands Classic in California next week.

"I really feel like a Tampa resident now. I have so many friends here. When I was sixth in pro points last year, a lot of guys said they were watching my results and cheering for me at races all over."

Cubric, along with teammates Bob Hackworth of Wesley Chapel and rookie Tony Prioli of Safety Harbor, would like to race in May's Tour DuPont, but a stiff entry fee may prevent the Florida-based squad from competing.

"The entry fee is $30,000, and I don't think we can pay that," Cubric said. "Our team may get to be on a waiting list, and if some European team cancels, then we'll see. It's a great stage race, with top competition."

The Redlands Classic that Cubric will compete in on March 10 begins the Korbel Champagne Cup Series. It includes the Velo August on March 27 in Augusta, Ga.; the 89er Stage Race May 6 in Norman, Okla.; the Idaho Women's Challenge June 22 in Boise, and the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic on July 1 in Lunenburg, Mass.

Korbel Champagne is a major sponsor of the U.S. National Team and the USCF, along with DuPont, Coca-Cola, and United Airlines.

Duathletes fight wind: Last Sunday's final in the Winter Duathlon Series saw several hundred riders fighting a cold east wind as they completed three loops around Clermont's Lake Minneola in the 22-mile bike segment. Top finisher Joshua Fuller, 17, of Plant City held on to a commanding lead, winning the series championship despite a challenge from Switzerland's Carlo Ryser.

The women's winner was Tracy Nist, 26, of Tampa, and the top female master was Feather Hicks, 47, of Okahumpka. Other winners included Melissa Gelineau, Nola Calkins, Kathy Morgan, Jessica Mundie, and Ralph Perry, all of the St. Pete Mad Dogs Triathlon Club. Series winners in the relay division were Sister Act (Brianne and Shana Harrington) of St. Petersburg, and Team Vision Cable (Joe Kline and David Bjelland) of Clearwater.

Winner of the series' fat-tire division was Jason Sak of Orlando. Wade Gunther, 35, of Tampa won the competitive Clydesdale division and now will concentrate his training on the St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg and the Florida State Time Trial Championships in Naples this summer.

Meek & Mighty Mini Tri: Pools and cycling-running routes already are full of adults getting ready for the St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 24. Now there's something for kids 7 and up _ the Meek & Mighty Mini Tri 1994 on April 23 at North Shore Pool in St. Petersburg.

The Meek & Mighty offers competition in three divisions: adults 15 and older, kids 11-14, and kids 7-10. Race distances will be 1.2-mile run, 5.4-mile bike, and 200-yard swim.

For more information, call (813) 825-1271.