Aaron’s presented by New England Financial Cycling Team Dominates Championships
Not satisfied with Adam Handler and Kirk Corsello’s stranglehold on the Georgia Cup series, the Aaron’s Cycling Team, presented by New England Financial, stamped their authority on the Georgia cycling scene by busting out wins in both the Category 3 and Master’s State Road Race Championships, as well as the Master’s 40+ State Criterium Championship.
The Lucky Dog Elite team lined up for the State Road Race with a full squad for the championship: “Nasty” Nate Sibley, Adam “Man” Handler, D Chad Strickland, Graham “Pigpen” Swift, Steve “Horsebutt” Hatfield, Greg “Space Ghost” Gilbert, Erik “Crash” Eidsvik, and Marc “17th” Crouch. With so many guys riding strong the team had numerous options, so the plan was to make it hard so the other teams wished they had stayed home.
The race was fast and furious from the start. Pigpen and D Chad covered every move and were off the front for most of the first three quarters of the race. On the last lap, Nasty Nate slipped off the front and a good breakaway group developed. Man Handler soon joined him as guys started jumping across. During the mêlée of the break developing and frantic chasing a nasty crash occurred going down hill at 35 mph with most, if not all, of the entire peloton hitting the pavement. The break was guaranteed to survive and with 1 K to go Nasty Nate simply rode away from the rest to of the group and won the State Championship. Man Handler easily won the sprint for 2nd and almost passed Nasty in the process, piece of cake. The Lucky Dog team goes 1-2 in yet another championship.
Unfortunately, the crash took down most of the team, with D Chad and Pigpen ending up in an ambulance, broken into a thousand pieces and done for the season. “We paid a hefty price for this jersey,” commented Nasty Nate in his interview with Velonews, “but it was probably worth it because I know those two guys will appreciate how good I look in it.” The State Road Race Champion then hung up his road bike and proceeded to win 47 mountain bike races.
In the Master’s race, it was the ground-hog day all over again. A different venue, but the same result: Kirk “Brother” Corsello crossing the line first with both hands in the air. On this occasion, Corsello was assisted by teammates Dr. Keith Lamberson and Jeff Blau in a hotly contested race for the old guys. Attacks were constant and finally the winning move rode away with Krik present, while Dr. Keith and Blau sat on the front and high-fived. How disappointed his breakaway companions must have been as they then knew they were racing for second. With already 17 wins to his credit this season there was no getting in between Kirk and his championship jersey. He then followed it up a few weeks later by winning the 40+ State Criterium Championship.
st to of the group and won the State Championship. Man Handler easily won the sprint for 2nd and almost passed Nasty in the process, piece of cake. The Lucky Dog team goes 1-2 in yet another championship.
