With the 100th edition of Paris-Roubaix cycling classic a half a world away,

the Montana Velo Road Race offered up an epic parallel yesterday in Helena.

The hardy Montana peloton braved heavy rain, slick gravelled mud, and the

ever-present "Montana mistral" that blows off the east side of the Divide to

more than earn their oats in, this, the second Strong Frames of Montana

Series race for 2002.

Doing his best Johan Museeuw imitation, Scott Herzig (Montana Velo) got

himself off the front during the first of three 20-mile laps and never looked

back to score a convincing victory in the cat. 1,2,3 race.

By contrast, Kelly Parsley (Great Divide Cycling Team) came first by a nose

in the very closely contested three-up sprint of the women's 40-mile race.

Owen Gue (Northern Rockies) not only took his second junior race of the 2002

series but also won the entire field sprint with the mixed-in 4,5's and

masters.

Equally impressive was the triumvirate of Montana Velo junior women--Metta

Gilbert, Lindsay Grovom, and Tracy Wirak--who gave it everything to hang with

the group during the first lap deluge.

Other category winners were Seth Hansen (Northern Rockies) in the cat. 4,5

race, Keith Carperelli (Great Divide Cycling Team) in the Masters 35+ race,

and Steve Muller (Northern Rockies) in the 45+ race.

Another race, surely. But equally so, another batch of stories to tell when

one is finally home and all comfy and warm. Sure, as a promoter, I took a

small hit financially and, sure, I wouldn't have if I hadn't paid out as much

in prizes. But, as a promoter and a competitor of umpteen of these gigs, I

know it's the stories that keep you going and bring again that freshness to

your legs and dreams of riding like the Lion of Flanders.

Thanks to all of my race help: Nadia Zylawy, Carl Anderberg, Brink

Kuchenbrod, AB Adams, Rhonda ?, Pat Morrison, Joel Gerhart, Steve and Megan

Field, the finish line crew and many others. Also, if anyone has any photos

of the race, let me know.

and thanks to all those who said thanks (it really does go a long ways),

geoff proctor

(CrossSportif@aol.com)

Official Results:

Montana Velo Road Race

Sunday, April 14, 2002

Helena, Montana

Category 1,2,3 Men (60 miles)

1. Scott Herzig (Montana Velo) 2:44.06

2. John Weyhrich (Five Valley Velo) @ 5:24

3. John Behrens (Share the Roads/GVBC)

4. Brian Wirak (Montana Velo)

5. Steve Coen (Montana Velo)

6. Jeff Penrod (Northern Rockies)

7. Rankin Holmes (Northern Rockies)

8. Chad DeVall (Northern Rockies)

9. Mark Williams (Five Valley Velo)

10. Randall Lundgren (Share the Roads/GVBC)

11. Will Schneider (E-Caps)

12. Russ Schneider (Unattached)

DNF Dan Dahlberg (Northern Rockies)

DNF Tom Robertson (Northern Rockies)

Women (40 miles)

1. Kelly Parsley (Great Divide Cycling Team)

2. Anne Hobbs (Northern Rockies)

3. Michelle Fairfield (Presteza)

Junior Men (40 miles)

1. Owen Gue (Northern Rockies)

2. Sam Schultz (Northern Rockies)

Junior Women (20 miles)

1. Metta Gilbert (Montana Velo)

2. Lindsay Grovom (Montana Velo)

3. Tracy Wirak (Montana Velo)

Category 4,5 Men (40 miles)

1. Seth Hansen (Northern Rockies)

2. Bruce Robertson (Northern Rockies)

3. Phil Hess (Great Divide Cycling Team)

4. Jason Hobson (Five Valley Velo)

5. Doug Hawes-Davis (Northern Rockies)

6. Mark Brook (Great Divide Cycling Team)

7. Chase Carter (Montana Velo)

8. Shane Mundt (Montana Velo)

9. Ross Miller (Five Valley Velo)

10. Daniel Gager (Five Valley Velo)

11. Steve Schaefer (Unattached)

12. Lucian Hand (Share the Roads/GVBC)

13. David Parel (Unattached)

Masters 35+

1. Keith Carperelli (Great Divide Cycling Team)

2. Scott Fisk (Great Divide Cycling Team)

3. Trevor Brandt (Great Divide Cycling Team)

4. Jeff Morris (Great Divide Cycling Team)

5. Scott Boyles (Great Divide Cycling Team)

Masters 45+

1. Steve Muller (Northern Rockies)

2. Tom Greason (Share the Roads/GVBC)