On His Way to a Wednesday Worlds: Andy Graham

By Roberto Coppolillo, VeloNews Special Correspondent

For the second week running, Australian Andy Graham absolutely owned theWednesday Worlds circuit race in downtown Denver, Colorado. Over 100 riderslined up on a drizzly, cold evening to decide who would be the championfor this, the second edition of the 2003 Wednesday Worlds.The women’s turnout was dismal, but a few brave souls jumped in themen’s races, getting some valuable mid-week training around the enormousInvesco Field at Mile High. T-Mobile’s Lara Kroepsch stayed in the men’smasters race, then lasted a few laps in the pro-I-II race.“It’s gonna be a hard,” she said just before the start of the main event…andshe was right.Like many Colorado races, despite a relatively modest prize list, afield of high-quality pros made it a difficult 50-minute test. Jim Copeland(Trek-VW), Colby Pearce (5280) and the “old boy” on the scene, Alan McCormack(Vitamin Cottage) lined up on western side of the stadium for their race.Missing this week, luckily for many of the amateurs, were Jon Vaughters(Prime Alliance) and Dirk Friel—two of last week’s top-five finishers.But it was Andy Graham (Jamba Juice/Casati) who stole the show. Therelatively unknown—in these parts—Australian won all three prime sprintslast week, and kept his perfect run going this night as well. He took thefirst in a close dash from a bunch including Chuck Coyle (Vitamin Cottage)and Copeland, but on the second he attacked so forcefully before the linethat he rode easily across, with nearly a 10-second gap, and kept going.By the end of the evening he’d soloed to nearly a minute’s advantage,leaving the sprint for second place to a group of 20 riders. Coyle ledhome in a tight sprint against Brent Jenkins (Intermountain Color), withCopeland and Ryan Starr (Jamba Juice/Casati) just behind.“The weather kept a few people away,” said race promoter and formerpro, Clark Sheehan. “But it was good. Next week we’ve got a bigger eveningplanned, with our Wednesday Worlds Rides the Rapids.”Sheehan explained that Colorado’s professional soccer team, the Rapids,play this coming Wednesday, June 12, and cyclists buying a ticket for thematch will be entered in a raffle for a $2000 bicycle. In addition, therewill be kids’ activities, inexpensive food…and big crowds for the bikeracing, which begins at 5 p.m. with all an event for all categories. Thesoccer match will follow the men’s pro-I-II event.For more information, go to www.wednesdayworlds.com,or e-mail Sheehan at info@wednesdayworlds.com.Graham takes a perfect record into the third race of the series, whichcontinues into July.Wednesday Worlds, Race 2
June 5,
1. Graham 50 minutes
2. Coyle, at 50 seconds
3. Copeland
4. Starr
5. McCormack
6. Pearce
7. Todd Berger, all same time.

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Editor’s Note: This is the first of what we hope will become a regular feature on VeloNews.com. There are cyclo-cross races for cross-dressers in California, stage races named after dearly departed canines in Wyoming and host of other events across America that offer a look into what it’s like to race bikes at all levels. Unlike this event, you don’t necessarily need top pros to make it interesting.  In order for the “Local Scene” tosucceed, we need your help. If you know of a race in your area that youbelieve deserves notice, drop us a short story, highlighting not only theracing, but perhaps even some of the local character that makes it unique.Mail your race submissions to WebLetters@7Dogs.com.Complete results in our format (see below) and reasonably sized JPG images are welcome, too.Have fun and make heroes of your local stars.
The First Annual Example Cup
Qwanahamanahamana, Wy, June 1, 2003
Men
1. Patrick O’Grady, Team Grumpy&Annoying, 1:58:22
2. John Wilcockson (GB), VegiBurger.Com, at 0:05
3. Kip Mikler, unattached
4. Neal Rogers, iPod Cycling, both s.t.
5. Lennard Zinn, The StringBeanery, at 1:05
6. Greg Thomas (NZL), DotBombCycling
7. Charles Pelkey, D.C. Spokesmen
8. Cam Elford, (Can), Oi Kanada
9. Chad Moore, Bob’s Big and Tall, all s.t.