The National Juniors Race in Belgium
When we last spoke of the boys, they were resting at USA Cycling European HQ, in Sittard, Netherlands, licking their wounds and nursing the fatigue from their triumphant campaign in France, getting ready for the four days of the TRIXXO Ster van Zuid-Limberg, the 45-year-old stage race for Juniors (17-18). There were 15 Belgian and 10 international teams on the start list, and the racing promised to be of an even higher level than they’d experienced in Brittany.
Handily, the opening Time Trial was held basically right outside their hotel door a 6.4-kilometer flat race won by Pavcel Śumpík from the Czech Republic, with Dane Anton Louw Larsen of the Junior Uno X team in second and another Dane, Carl Emil Just Pedersen, on the “Quickstep” Junior squad in third. Ashlin Barry was sixth, 0:15” down and Noah Streif, continuing the solid team performances, was eighth at 0:16”. Enzo Edmonds was 28th, at 0:34” keeping him in striking range, giving the team options for the next day’s road stage.
Barry led the Youth Classification, Enzo 7th with the USA a fine fourth in the Team standings.
“Faster, more aggressive, but somehow feeling safer,” was a first impression from the boys on their foray into the tough world of Northern European racing. Enzo really felt the benefits of of his track racing background, “Especially in the neutral zones where you are so tight that you’re touching three other riders the entire time.” Also impressive was the sight of Junior racers who’d already been signed by ProTour teams, sporting the official team bikes and helmets, giving the race an aura of heightened importance.
None of which intimidated our American boys as they took the start for the 120-kilometer Stage 1. Captained by the experienced Otis Engle who expertly guided the team through the movements of the peloton, the team worked perfectly to place Barry and Streif in good position at the entrance to the finishing circuits.
Final lap, 1000-meters to go, 50-men left in front, after 500-meters plunging downhill, Enzo first through the final turn with Barry on the wheel. They share a turn in front, Enzo turns on the afterburners with 500-meters to go, drops Barry off at 250 for the win, while, somehow, holding on for 9th.
Ashlin Barry now in second overall 0:02” behind Śumpík who maintains his lead. Noah Streif sits in 6th overall. Barry holds the Youth while Enzo moves up to fourth; the team now third in the Team GC.
The second road stage (Stage 3) was one of those, “Welcome to the North” moments for the USA team. Cold, rain and wind, narrow roads, full gas all the way. Felix Orn-Kristoff, br other of Tour of Flanders and Milano-Sanremo winner Alexander Kristoff, won from a 19-man front group. Barry and Streif hung on, preserving Barry’s second place in the overall. The exhausted team dropped to 5th in the Team GC.
Final stage, a mini–Amstel Gold Race for the kids, full of 700-800-meter 10% climbs. The boys did their best to keep Ashlin in front, but ultimately a five-man group, three Belgians, a Dane and Kristoff (Norway) escaped for the win. Barry finished 8th, 0:24” down, while Enzo surprised, on such a hilly race, with 15th on the day, in the same group as Barry.
Ashlin Barry finished fourth overall in the end, was fourth on Points, and took home the Youth prize with Enzo Edmonds fourth in that classification. The Americans took home fifth in the team prize, an excellent showing.
Next and final race of their campaign, Paris-Roubaix. Yesterday they were out doing a recon of the racecourse.