2001 NEWS

It's Miller Time Again!
Lebanon, PA, October 6-7

Keith Miller headed deep in Pennsylvania again, this time without the company of Eneas Freyre, and represented Kissena well with a couple of top-ten finishes.

Read about the races in Keith Miller's race report

Freyre and Miller Strong Again, This Time in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, PA, September 29-30

New venue, same result: Keith Miller and Eneas Freyre once again put in fine performances this past weekend. On Saturday, Eneas made his presence known by making the race-winning break yet again, this time forced to settle for 4th place. On Sunday, Keith Miller made all the right moves earning 5th place on the day.

Read about the races in Keith Miller's race report

Kelly wins NorCal track season omnium
Hellyer Velodrome, San Jose, CA, May 19-Sep 29

John Kelly finally hangs up the track bike for the season, after winning the Hellyer Saturday Omnium 10 times this summer. John finished fourth in the season match sprint omnium, and added a bronze medal in the NorCal keirin to his golds in the pursuits and Madison.

Freyre and Miller 2-3 at Washington Township Cycling Classic
Washington Township, NJ, September 23

On Sunday, Eneas took on Marty Nothstein in the final sprint after the two jumped away from the front group on the last lap, thanks to some strong blocking by teammate Keith Miller. Eneas was nipped by Marty in the sprint while Keith rocked the small group sprint to make it a 2-3 finish for Kissena. Teammate J.P. Parkland added horsepower and tactical prowess to contribute to the day's podium placings and the previous day's victory.

Read about the races in Keith Miller's race report

Freyre Wins BRAG Criterium
Brooklyn, NY, September 22

Eneas Freyre won one for the home team at Floyd Bennet Field on Saturday, taking first in the race while earning the title of Kissena Criterium Champion. Eneas took the victory in style, breaking away early with one other rider and dumping him on the final lap.

Read about the races in Keith Miller's race report

Innes Wins MultiLaser Fall Grand Prix
Gananoque, Ontario, Canada, September 22-23

Billy Innes took the MultiLaser Grand Prix omnium event in convincing fashion, scoring 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the weekend's time trial, road race, and criterium. Kissena's Nat Faulkner, winner of last year's event, also finished top-10 in all three events.

Kelly 18th in Inaugural BMC San Francisco (UCI 1.4)
San Francisco, CA, September 9th

John Kelly finished 18th (first amateur) in the grueling, 210 km BMC San Francisco GP. The race toured the streets of S.F. amidst the deafening cheering of over one hundred thousand fans, with 25 climbs up grades of 16-18%.
SFGP coverage: one pro's report photos

Results:
1 George Hincapie (USA) US Postal Service 5.20.42
2 Michael Barry (Can) Saturn 0.01
3 Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn 0.10
4 Mark Walters (Can) Navigators 1.13
5 Mark McCormack (USA) Saturn 4.32
6 Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) US Postal Service
7 Vassili Davidenko (Rus) Navigators 4.41
8 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Navigators 4.55
9 Chris Wherry (USA) Mercury
10 Eric Wohlberg (Can) Saturn 9.48
18 John Kelly (USA) Kissena/AltoVelo/Webcor 13.24

Freyre 3rd Overall at Tour of Wilmington
Wilmington, DE, September 8th-9th

Eneas Freyre and Keith Miller ventured to the First State this past weekend to find some last-minute racing before Univest and Bear Mountain. In addition to good racing, the pair came away with some great results with Eneas winning the 70 mile road race solo en route to placing 3rd overall. Keith blitzed the opening uphill prologue to place 4th on the day.

For the full story, read Keith's race report

Kissena Earns a Podium and a Top-Ten GC Result at Green Mountain Stage Race
Bolton Valley, VT, August 31-September 1st

Kissena put in a strong showing at the inaugural Green Mountain Stage Race (GMSR). Filling in for the cancelled Killington Stage Race, the GMSR provided plenty of racing over the weekend and the strength of the field did not disappoint with Saturn, Mercury, Navigators, and Prime Alliance all represented.

August 31 - Bolton Valley Prologue
1 Scott Moninger (Mercury Cycling Team) 33.05.8
2 Brendon Vesty (Navigators Cycling Team) 0.26.4
3 Jonathan Hamblen (Wheelworks/Cannondale) 0.29.2
4 Sean Nealy (Kissena/R+A Cycles) 0.30.5
7 Chris McDonald (Kissena/R&A Cycles) 0.47.0

September 1 - SmartFUEL Circuit Race
1 Mark McCormack (Saturn)
2 Ben Stafford (Kissena/R&A Cycles)
3 Jonathon Page (Wheelworks/Cannondale)
15 Alex Lavallee (Kissena/R&A Cycles)

September 2 - Mad River Road Race
1 Scott Moninger (Mercury Cycling Team)
2 Brendon Vesty (Navigators Cycling Team)
3 Frank McCormack (Saturn)
10 Sean Nealy (Kissena/R&A Cycles)
11 Nat Faulkner (Kissena/R&A Cycles)

September 3 - Burlington Criterium
1 Tim Johnson (Saturn)
2 Scott Moninger (Mercury Cycling Team)
3 Mark McCormack (Saturn)
11 Alex Lavallee (Kissena/R&A Cycles)
13 Sean Nealy (Kissena/R&A Cycles)

Final General Classification
1 Scott Moninger (Mercury Cycling Team)
2 Mark McCormack (Saturn)
3 Brendon Vesty (Navigators Cycling Team)
9 Sean Nealy (Kissena/R&A Cycles)
12 Chris McDonald (Kissena/R&A Cycles)

University Road Race
Santa Cruz, CA, September 2

A small but quality field at this year's University Road Race guaranteed a race to remember. Pro and elite riders from both ends of California attacked the 3 mile, straight up-straight down course twenty times, with most of the field exiting early. Saturn's Eric Wolberg took the top honors, while Kissena's John Kelly finished fourth.

Nealy 6th at Saco Bay Criterium, Stafford 10th at Scarborough Road Race
Saco, ME, August 25-26

Kelly Garners Gold in NCNCA Individual and Team Pursuit
Hellyer Velodrome, San Jose, CA, August 19

Practicing his pursuit at the Northern California/Nevada track championships, John Kelly won the individual pursuit and led a composite team to victory in the team pursuit.

McDonald 2nd at Tokeneke Classic Road Race
Granby, CT, August 19

In a race that will remembered more for its brutality, Kissena's Chris McDonald hung tough as the 4-man break he was a part of disintegrated on the final 2 mile climb to the finish. Covering 88 miles and featuring over 8000 feet of climbing, the Tokeneke course claimed many victims over the course of the day, seeing a total of 16 finishers in the men's pro race.

Kelly Wins Corral Hollow Road Race
Tracy, CA, August 18

In the first of the hotly contested Cal Cup events, John Kelly took the win in the 93 mile, severely hilly, Corral Hollow road race. Kelly marked the big teams' lead riders while attrition took it's toll on the field. With fifteen miles to go he attacked his group of five on the infamous Patterson Pass climb. Lombardi's John Hunt chased across, and Kelly took the sprint for the win.

Results:
1. John Kelly (Kissena)
2. John Hunt (Lombardi Sports)
3. Ted Huang (Alto Velo)

Lavallee 3rd at New Hampshire Championship Road Race
Bow, NH, August 12

After his huge win the day before at Mt. Holly, Alex didn't disappoint. Instigating the winning break 30 miles into the 75 mile race, Alex rode aggressively as usual throughout the race, putting considerable pressure on eventual winner, Derek Bouchard-Hall (Mercury). In addition, Ben Stafford managed to secure 10th place on the day in a last-lap move.

New Hampshire Championship RR, Bow, NH
1 - Derek Bouchard-Hall (Mercury)
2 - John Hamblen (Cannondale-Wheelworks)
3 - Alex Lavallee (Kissena)

Lavallee Wins Mt. Holly Invitational!
Mt. Holly, NJ, August 11

Alex Lavallee put in a masterful performance at the Mt. Holly Invitational this past weekend. With 6 miles remaining in the 96 mile race, Alex attacked the leading group of 14 riders and only Tim Unkert, the bronze medalist at amateur national championships in May, could follow. The two worked well together and held the determined chasers at bay. Then, with a kilometer to go, Alex powered away from Unkert, holding him off for a dramatic solo victory.

Mt. Holly - Smithville Grand Prix:
1-Alex Lavallee Kissena Cycling Team
2-Tim Unkert Capital Velo Club
3-Wilson Vasquez G. S. Mengoni
4-Rainiel Sanchez Snow Valley
5-Shawn Milne Cannondale-Wheelworks
 

Alex's win generated a significant amount of press. Read about the race in the official press release.

Further, find out about what went on behind-the-scenes in this race report by Alex's teammate, Keith Miller.

Special thanks to Doug Sheppard of Podium Fotos for the photos of Alex. For more info, drop him an e-mail

Nealy 3rd in Prologue at Tour of Hungary; 5th Overall after 2 Stages
Veszprem, Hungary, August 8

Sean Nealy has placed 3rd in the 1.6 km prologue at the Tour of Hungary. Riding for the Mapei-Kanizsa, Sean has defended his position well and is currently 5th overall after the first 2 road stages.

Prologue - August 8: Veszprem, ITT, 1.6 km

1 Roland Garber (Aut) Pecumia 1.58.7
2 Bebto Zoltan (Hun) Colombina-FTC-Eurent @ 0.03.8
3 Sean Nealy (Can) Mapei-Kanizsa KK @ 0.04.6

Kissena Tackles the Tour de 'Toona
Altoona, PA, July 31 - August 5

Paced by John Kelly and Alex Lavallee, who finished 32nd and 33rd respectively, Kissena put in a strong showing at Altoona. In particular, Alex Lavallee ignited the race by attacking on the hardest stage and going solo for 60+ miles. Indeed, Alex's efforts were noticed by many, including John Lieswyn of the 7-UP/Colorado-Cyclist Team.

Check out what John had to say in his diary at cyclingnews.com

Lavallee 4th at Canadian Nationals!
Dieppe, New Brunswick, CANADA, July 28

Kissena's Canadians stormed Dieppe for this year's nationals, with Alex Lavallee narrowly missing the podium in the road race (while picking up valuable UCI points). Nat Faulkner finished 11th in the 40 km time trial, 15th in the road race, and 8th in the criterium.

Giro di Coppi
Thurmont, MD, 7/28-29/01

Kissena's Eneas Freyre and John Kelly took on the teams of the Tidewater on their way to 'Toona, with rewarding results. Kelly won the Harp Hill Road Race, going solo the last 25 miles of the 88 mile, hilly (10,000' of climbing) stage. He also won the 1.4 mile Catoctin Mtn. Time Trial (and an Oreck vacuum cleaner--the "suck it up" prize for the FToD). Freyre narrowly missed the win in the Mount St. Mary's Criterium, finishing second after breaking away and lapping the field in a small group. Kelly finished second in the omnium.

Eneas Freyre 6th at North Atlantic Road Race Championships
Union Vale, NY, 7/22/01

Eneas Freyre represented Kissena well in the Pro/1/2 North Atlantic Championships. After a display of selfless riding in the criterium the day before, Eneas was well-placed when the final break of 9 riders went clear 30 miles into the 75 mile race and battled the blazing sun and hilly course.

Ben Stafford 3rd at North Atlantic Criterium Championships
Poughkeepsie, NY, 7/21/01

Ben Stafford was the benefactor of strong teamwork after he jumped into the winning 3-man break halfway through the 30 mile race. While Ben soldiered on in the break, his teammates were busy behind shutting down any threatening moves which ultimately allowed the break to nearly lap the field. Bret Williamson, after helping keep the break away, had a strong ride in the closing laps to grab 7th place on the day.

Extreme weather plagues Kissena at the Cascade Cycling Classic
Bend, Oregon, July 11-15

Kissena sent a small contingent westward to participate in the Cascade Cycling Classic. This year's event was marked by the horrendous weather that marred the opening 115 mile stage. Despite fierce rain, hail, and two inches of fresh SNOW at the top of the day's 7000' pass, John Kelly livened up the first stage with a 75 mile breakaway.

Freyre Wins Big Apple Classic
Brooklyn, NY, July 7

Sean Nealy and Billy Innes Invade Italy
Brescia, Italy, July 2001

Some of you may not be aware of it, but Sean Nealy and Billy Innes are currently over in Europe mixing it up with the big boys. Click below for the first of Billy's installments chronicling his adventures across the pond.

Brescia, Italy

Kelly places 18th overall at Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, July 2

In an edition of Fitchburg punctuated more by brutal thunderstorms than brutal racing, John Kelly shone again for Kissena. After a customary solid ride in the opening time trial, John hung tough in the circuit race and the lightning-shortened road race to finish 18th overall.

Innes Wins Final Stage at Tour of Southeast Ohio, Kelly 3rd
Chillicothe, Ohio, June 23

Billy Innes scored an impressive victory in the final stage at the Tour of Southeast Ohio today. Attacking out of a small group that hung together over a tough climb three miles from the finish, Innes cruised the kilometer long rise to the finish to take the stage in style. Meanwhile, John Kelly hung on for third to give Kissena two riders on the podium.

Kelly 2nd in Individual Pursuit at Track Nationals
Blaine, MN, June 12

1. Mike Tillman, Net Zero 4:35.5
2. John Kelly, Kissena 4:44:0
3. Colby Pearce, Prime Alliance
4. Jame Carney, Prime Alliance

Kelly part of Silver Medal winning team in Team Pursuit at Track Nationals
Blaine, MN, June 15

1. Prime Alliance
2. Beasty Boys (John Kelly, Erik Sperling, Joey D'antoni, Tim Reinhart)

Lavallee wins High Bridge
High Bridge, NJ, June 10

Alex Lavallee takes another solo victory!

Freyre 3rd at Quicksilver Circuit Race
Arlington, VA, 6/9/01

Details to come.

Nealy 2nd at Butternut Valley Road Race
New Lisbon, NY, June 3

1. Mike Jones, CNYC
2. Sean Nealy, Kissena Cycling Team

Kelly 11th at Time Trial Nationals, Nealy 16th
Redding, CA, May 24

John Kelly put in an impressive performance in the Elite National Time Trial championship today. Despite a balky knee that forced him to skip racing the weekend prior to Nationals, Kelly turned in an impressive ride to net 11th place on the rolling 34 km course, 3:27 behind winner Trent Klasna (Saturn). Sean Nealy, having flown in from Italy 3 days prior to the event, turned in an impressive performance to grab 16th place, 3:49 behind Klasna, while battling jet-lag and a borrowed time-trial bike.

Innes 5th in Shaffer Bridge Road Race
Cressey, CA, May 20

Lavallee Finishes Strong at Housatonic Valley Classic
Danbury, CT, May 20

1 Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn Cycling Team 5.14.14
2 Chris Baldwin (USA) Navigators Pro Cycling Team
3 Eric Wohlberg (Can) Saturn Cycling Team @2.06
4 Scottie Weiss (USA) Zaxby's Cycling Team @2.23
5 Vassili Davidenko (Rus) Navigators Pro Cycling Team
6 Alexandre Lavallee (Can) Kissena Cycling Team @2.38

Kelly Second at Berkeley Hills Road Race
Berkeley, CA, May 13

1. Jon Peters, Mercury-Viatel
2. John Kelly, Kissena
3. John Hunt, GS Lombardi

Lavallee Third at Harriman Springfest
Harriman State Park, NY, May 13

Alex earned a podium position in the 98 mile race at Bear Mountain, while Eneas Freyre finished second in the KOM competition.
1. Graeme Miller, Netzero
2. Kevin Monahan, 7-Up/Colorado Cyclist
3. Alex Lavallee, Kissena

Kelly 1st In Pursuit, 2nd In Points Race at AVC San Jose
San Jose, CA, Apr. 20-21

JK got the fixed gear going when the Bay Area hosted the American Velodrome Challenge. Marty Nothstein won the omnium, with Kelly placing 7th.

Kelly Wins Copperopolis Road Race
Milton, CA, Apr. 14

1. John Kelly, Kissena
2. John Hunt, Lombardi Sports / Ofoto.com

Faulkner Second at Grueling Wine Country Classic
Ukiah, CA, Apr. 6

Nat Faulkner couldn't catch Jelly Belly's Damon Kluck, but he put the wood to everyone else in this hilly 160 km race that was held in conditions more reminiscent of New York in early March than California in early April.

1. Damon Kluck, Jelly Belly
2. Nat Faulkner, Kissena
3. John Hunt, GS Lombardi
4. John Kelly, Kissena

Kelly 12th in Opening Time Trial at Solano Bicycle Classic
Fairfield, CA, March 28

John Kelly turned in an impressive performance today in the first stage at Solano, finishing 1:16' behind a blazing Eric Wohlberg of Saturn.

1. Eric Wohlberg, Saturn
2. Chris Horner, Mercury-Viatel @ 11 seconds
3. Trent Klasna, Saturn @ 23 seconds
12. John Kelly, Kissena @ 1:16

Lavallee in Sprinter's Jersey at Redlands!
Redlands, CA, Mar. 13-18

Kissena's Alex Lavallee drove the early 120 km break to grab multiple sprint bonuses and earn the green jersey. Alex hung on to the jersey until Mercury's Gord Fraser earned it in Stage 4.

Read the Bill Innes Redlands story

North End Classic
February 2001

Stuck inside of Yuma with the CA blues again

Kelly Third at Valley of the Sun Stage Race
Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 16-18, 2001

1. Baden Cooke, Mercury
2. Jamie Drew, Mercury
3. John Kelly, Kissena