Traditionally the Wayne Eliot Memorial Race has been run as a regional criterium raced in early September in Haverhill, MA.  A move in format an venue pushed it up in the Calendar (taking the place of the recently canceled Jiminy Peak Road Race.) With the Pro’s excluded from the race most regional programs sent their aspiring elite amateurs to snatch a result and maybe some upgrade points on what turned out to be an unbelievably perfect riding day.

Seventy-plus races took to the rolling 6 mile circuit with a few rollers leading to a flat drag strip turned one-mile stair step decent to the finish.  The New England road conditions (read: a touch banged up) and rolling terrain was reminiscent of the classic Marblehead circuit course, though a touch longer.  Following the race, Coutu described what would be the opening efforts,  “With no real decisive areas on the course and a start with fast attacks from CCB Racing, Embrocation Cycling, Noreast Elite, NEBC and the Cyclonauts Masters Team, Corey Masson & I knew we had our work cut out for us.”   Coutu & Masson were attentive through the race covering threatening mid race breaks until two laps to go when Josh Gunn (Embrocation) and Coutu broke free on the small hill gaining separation. A small group followed the duo but again the larger field chased them down.   Coutu described the effort,

“As I made contact with the group it was evident we had a good mix – further strengthened when Ciaran Magnan (CCB) drove a bridge move of a few extra guys – The bridge move was tough and I had to sit on the back for a half lap to recover before doing my best to help keep the move rolling.. the break group settled in with eight of us.   We picked up anywhere from 20-30 seconds as the satisfied teams in the field relaxed the pace of any chase or subsequent bridge attempts. As we crested the last lap of rollers – unfortunately – I got a cramp in my left calf that ultimately made a full out sprint tough but I was able to gear it up enough to take fourth.”  Cory rolled in safely with the field after a job well done.