by Brian Hancock
The 2016 Snap Fitness Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross & 5k was one for the history books. As with other Midwest races on Saturday, September 10, the weather threw a wrench in many racers’ wheels as rain changed the conditions of the course throughout the day.
The kid’s race was a big hit. photo: JB Hancock
In the Elite women’s race, Amanda Schaap (Speed Merchants), took to the front by the time the pack hit the Bike Law Michigan barriers and never looked back. Over the course of the 40-minute race, Schaap extended her first lap effort into a healthy lead, riding into her first Verge Sport winner’s jersey as well as the lead of the Michigan Bicycle Racing Association cyclocross series.
Amanda Schaap (Speed Merchants) raced hard during an absolute deluge of rain. photo: jb hancock
The rain came down in sheets throughout the women’s race, and the battles for the remaining podium spots were slippery and fierce. Behind Schaap, Valerie Hyrman (Hagerty Racing), Jenny Carmichael (Bike Law Cycling Club), Adrienne O’Day, and Claire Reeves (Speed Merchants) fought hard to stay upright and provided spectators with great racing action as they slotted in separated by only 33 seconds at the finish.
In the Elite men’s race, Jorden Wakeley (M22/Cannondale Factory Team) redeemed himself from his third place last year behind the Australian guests to take a commanding win at this year’s Snap Fitness Alma GP. Wakeley is well known for his strength in 100-mile endurance mountain bike races, and he rolled up to the line on his Cannondale F-Si mountain bike, which proved to be a great decision. As with many others in the Elite fields, Wakeley was able to ride the Ass Savers stairs throughout the day, but his sheer strength on the flats left others gasping the humid air.
Wakeley and Yankus over the Bike Law Michigan barriers. photo: Nick Forsman
Behind Wakeley, Dan Yankus (OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors) and Scotty Albaugh (The Bike and Tri Shop) battled throughout the race and managed to put time into Earl Hillaker, who earlier had taken the top box in the single speed race. After a blisteringly fast start, Chad Wells rounded out the podium in fifth.
Photo gallery below the results.
2016 Alma GP - Elite Women's Results
| Place | Bib | Last | First | Team | License | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 150 | Schaap | Amanda | Speed Merchants | 342042 | 38:47 | |
| 2 | 154 | Hyrman | Valerie | Hagerty Racing | 434202 | 39:50 | 1:03 |
| 3 | 151 | Carmichael | Jenny | Bike Law Cycling Club | 454352 | 39:58 | 1:11 |
| 4 | 152 | O'Day | Adrienne | 254330 | 40:03 | 1:16 | |
| 5 | 158 | Reeves | Claire | Speed Merchants | 350064 | 40:23 | 1:36 |
| 6 | 153 | Robertson | Erin | Wolverine Sports Club | 359688 | 41:38 | 2:51 |
| 7 | 160 | Mack | Melissa | 402341 | 41:43 | 2:56 | |
| 8 | 156 | Melendez | Laura | OAM NOW/Athletic Mentors | 225973 | 42:19 | 3:32 |
| 9 | 157 | Seymour | Melissa | Team O2 | 486797 | 44:24 | 5:37 |
| 10 | 161 | Brynick | Josi | ity Hub Cyclery | 356865 | 46:03 | 7:16 |
2016 Alma GP - Elite Men's Results
| Place | Bib | Last | First | Team | License | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Wakeley | Jorden | 340916 | 1:01:55 | ||
| 2 | 1 | Yankus | Daniel | OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors | 102694 | 1:02:23 | 28 |
| 3 | 21 | Albaugh | Scotty | The Bike and Tri Shop | 278675 | 1:02:47 | 52 |
| 4 | 6 | Hillaker | Earl | 290407 | 1:04:26 | 2:31 | |
| 5 | 4 | Wells | Chad | 194504 | 1:04:39 | 2:44 | |
| 6 | 2 | Soltan | Daniel | Ann Arbor Velo Club Inc. | 394625 | 1:05:08 | 3:13 |
| 7 | 3 | McIntyre | Adam | Cannondale-Michigan | 359411 | 1:05:40 | 3:45 |
| 8 | 15 | Zandee | Matt | Freewheeler Bike Shop | 385282 | 1:05:48 | 3:53 |
| 9 | 10 | Carver | Kyle | Ann Arbor Velo Club Inc. | 360520 | 1:05:49 | 3:54 |
| 10 | 18 | Leach | John | Bissell ABG Giant | 337826 | 1:06:31 | 4:36 |
| 11 | 5 | Snyder | Collin | OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors | 264396 | 1:08:36 | 6:41 |
| 12 | 8 | Simpson | Jeffrey | 265807 | 1:09:09 | 7:14 | |
| 13 | 13 | DURAND | IAN | Hagerty Cycling | 315750 | 1:03:57 | s.t. |
| 14 | 16 | Wright | Ben | Wolverine Sports Club | 240941 | 1:04:06 | 2:11 |
| 15 | 9 | Robertson | Cameron | Wolverine Sports Club | 386766 | 1:04:56 | 3:01 |
| 16 | 7 | Elliott | Harvey | Ann Arbor Velo Club Inc. | 329470 | 1:05:42 | 3:47 |
| 17 | 20 | Yeung | Hinkel | 512647 | 1:07:11 | 5:16 | |
| 18 | 14 | Goocher | Brandon | Kinetic Fitness Coaching | 252356 | 1:09:22 | 7:27 |
| 19 | 302 | Cook | Benjamin | Rutgers University-New Brunswic | 424618 | 1:01:48 | s.t. |
| 20 | 12 | Nemecek | Spencer | 434712 | 1:01:49 | s.t. |
2016 Alma GP Photo Gallery:
The start of the Elite Men’s field at the 2016 Alma GP photo: Nick Forsman
