Koppenburg April 1st - Race #2 in the Tom Danielson Junior Cup Series
Dan Depaemelaere Reporting & Photos

It may have been April Fools Day, but there was no foolin' around for the juniors that showed up early Sunday morning for for the infamous Koppenberg Circuit race. This mostly dirt course, nestled in between Boulder and Denver, the small suburb of Superior was the locale for the second race of The American Cycling Association's Tom Danielson Junior Cycling Cup. 28 races spanning from March to September, the Junior Cycling Cup is designed and promoted to showcase the next generation of cycling and racing enthusiasts. It was these very racers that woke up early to bright sunny skies and mild temperatures, toeing the start line at 8:00 in the morning, fully aware of the course's daunting 200 meter, 17% grade "Koppenberg" climb. 

First off were the 15 to 18 age group, a close knit group that were already watching each other as they rolled away for two laps of the deceivingly hard course. The first lap proved to be one more of tactics than brute strength, as the field stayed relatively together as the second and final lap began. Nobody was willing to show their cards yet, at least not until the final climb up the Koppenberg. As the group approached the climb, Matt Miyamoto, Lloyd Sutton (both Front Rangers) and Amar Mannina (Rocky Mounts) upped the tempo in what would be a successful attempt to separate themselves from the chasers. Cresting the climb, they formed what would be the winning break of three, working together to gap the rest of the field on the flat section above the hill. All that remained for them was the slight climb up Marshall Road, and the quick downhill righ hand corner that would take them to the finishing straight. Outnumbered by the two Front Ranger teammates, Amar did his best with his own brute strength to sneak away, but was unable to finish ahead of the one, two punch the teammates delivered. The final sprint saw Matt climb to the top step of the podium followed closely by Lloyd and Amar, while Jesse Goodrich and Jamie Sullivan rounded out the top five. 

Following a minute or so behind the 15 to 18 year old crew, the 10 to 14 year olds took to the Koppenberg circuit for one lap and one time up the dreaded hill. Junior phenom, Yannick Eckmann, following in his compatriot Jens Voigt's footsteps, dieseled away from the pack of younger kids on the dirt road leading up to the climb. It look as if the real battle was going to be for second place as Zack Gould and Brandon Stockton were locked in a battle of tactics, neither one able to shake the other as they crested the hill and headed down the dirt road towards Marshall road. Watching in vain as the little German freight train motored away from them, Zack and Brandon did their best to work together and limit the damage, knowing full well that the one with the better sprinting legs was going to stand on the second tier. Behind them, a scattering of kids, girls and boys, did their best to make their way up the gruelling climb. Daunting enough for adults, the kids amazingly fought their way up the climb, and much like the Pros in Belgium, resorted to walking when the pedals just couldn't turn over fast enough. But they all made it up, some even with smiles peeking out through their grimaces! Back at the front, Yannick won uncontested, proving his talent as he lined up a bit later with the Senior 4 men. The real action was not far behind as Zack and Brandon had abandoned all truces as they came down the final hill and the last tricky corner. They could both see the finish line down the long and slightly uphill straight, the one who saved himself until the right moment was going to take second. Eyeing each other as the 200 meter card flashed by, the game was on at 150 meters, both riders sprinting for all they were worth. Photo finish results put Zack on the second box, a tired but happy Brandon picking up the final podium spot. Joe Haulman and Ryan Lare rounded out the top five. Starting together with the boys, Hannah Summerhill, Kennedy Bizer and Mina Anderberg (no relation to Koppenberg), filled out the girls podium, Madison Otis and Ashlan Correia not far behind in 4th and 5th.

 
Kudos to all the kids that braved the early morning to make their way around this infamous Colorado course. While the course conditions could hardly be described as perfect, dirt roads, ruts, numerous potholes and of course the climb itself, the number of kids that took to the start was a great sign to see that cycling is alive and well among the Junior ranks. A special thanks to Boulder Racing's Brian, the ACA and of course Tom Danielson, whose dedication to the Junior Cycling Cup made it possible for the kids to enjoy, and suffer, their way through the second race of the series. No foolin'!