Charlie McCarthy’s podium performance of 2008 in the Category 2 version of the Fitchburg Lonsjo Stage Race would be tough to match- no doubt. as Fitchburg is NRC on the Pro,1 level and equally as highly contested in the Elite Category 2 ranks with riders traveling from all over the country to compete in Central MA near Wachusett Mountain. However tough, Brad Sheehan, after almost a month and half of dedicated preparation would prove to be up to the task. Sheehan, with the help of his teammates Chris Coutu, Andrew Gardner, Scott Dolmat-Conoll, Aaron Malloy, Corey Mason, and Peter Bell carefully assembled 4 days of racing that would result in a match of McCarthy’s 3rd place overall in 2008. Both McCarthy and Sheehan have now ridden their success at Fitchburg into the Category 1 and NRC levels.

Individual Time Trial:
The race is simple here. It is the individual vs. the clock on a an aerodynamic bike. 8 miles of rolling terrain. In the end Corey Mason scorched the course for a top 10 time while Chris Coutu rolled in 10 seconds slower for 11th and Brad just behind him for 13th. This put the MetLife boys in an ideal strategic situation with three races left.

Circuit Race:

MetLife controls the field up Pearl Street

With 20 laps of a 3 mile technical course and 100 feet of climbing every lap, it can be said that the Fitchburg circuit race is one of the toughest circuit races in America. This race historically ends in a field sprint up the steep 100 ft ascent of Pearl Street. But if races played out the same year in and year out, then there would be no need to race them. Early in the race Peter Bell slipped off the peleton with several GC notables. With the rest of the team sitting comfortably in the pack, our GC cards were able to conserve energy and follow the wheels of the remaining overall contenders. With only a few laps remaining, first and second place overall, Dylan McNicholas (CCB) and Cameron Cogburn (ChrisCookies) broke from the pack. Now with a forced hand Sheehan called for aid, and after a stellar effort Mason was able to catapult his team leader to the break. The spoils now had to be divided among the breakaway. And despite a strong sprint an impressive McNicohlas was able to nip Sheehan at the line. Bell, after a long effort rolled in with a 4^th place, while Coutu was able to take 6^th in the field sprint for another top 20 result.

Wachusett Road Race

Coutu pilots Sheehan through the feedzone

A 90 mile road race with the infamous climb through Princeton Center, and a daring descent off of Mt Wachusett is an impending task. But once again our riders were up for it. Active early in the race several riders were able to get off the front early, including the day’s eventual winner Matt Purdy (Spooky/Kenda Racing). Either too strong legged or too strong willed for his companions Purdy was able to drop all of the rest of the breakaway for an impressive ride. But the real race was behind as big efforts from Mason, Coutu, Bell, Dolmat-Connell, and Gardner were able to keep the gap at a reasonable level. Gardner, with an impressive show of climbing prowess

was able to pilot Sheehan through some of the more difficult climbing of the day, showing that he will be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming hilly races. With a strong 8^th place on the day, Sheehan was able to move himself up and into 3^rd place overall, while Bell, tenuously hanging on to the field was able to pull himself into 15^th overall.

Bell and Gardner set the pace

MetLife rides comfortably on the last of four days

Protection was the name of the game. Our goal was to maintain Sheehan’s 3^rd place. With some strong team work the race stayed together for the most part, keeping our podium position. And, as an added bonus Bell was able to mix it up in the sprint taking in the second 8^th place for the weekend, while Coutu and Sheehan were able to hold on for two more top 20s. A great team result, which puts the pressure on for next year.