The Factory CycleCraft team released a bombshell of an announcement at the SSA High Springs Qualifiers. Shortly after the Pro main on Saturday, the winner Cj Mcguire was called back to the finish line where it was announced that he was now racing for CycleCraft. Team Manager Pat Marchese handed Cj a brand new racing frame as the rider slipped on a team t-shirt. Cj had dominated the first day of Pro racing winning 3 motos plus the main. In addition to an already strong team he will certainly help give CycleCraft the National exposure it deserves.
In the Florida Cup Team competition, CycleCraft is gaining ground. With solid finishes on Saturday and equally strong motos on Sunday, they scored second place and after the Sunday mains are run at the Tampa Championship they are positioned to challenge for the top prize in the Money division.
The second day of mains was cut short by a faulty starting gate so most of the CycleCraft team will have to resume their mains on the Friday night before the Florida Cup Championship in Tampa.
Who delivered for the team on this dramatic weekend? Let's start with 11 year old Expert Joey Leto whose consistency is phenomenal. Joey duked it out with his good friend Scott Hall jr over the course of two days of racing. Joey took most of the motos and the main win on day one but he'll have to wait for Tampa to complete main number two.
Ryan Halligan showed true grit in the competitive 14 Expert class. Even against the blazing speed of Ryan Nenno, Chase Chevalier and Mario Lopez nothing was going to dissuade Ryan. He went full force making the top three in all motos. An unfortunate crash in the Saturday main kept him out of contention but he gets a second chance to better his standing in Tampa.
The 17-18 Expert class was unpredictable as each twist and turn produced tight and fantastic battles all the way to the main. Shane Hall was right in the middle of the action. He stayed out of trouble during the early motos but stepped it up by taking 3rd in the Saturday main. The Sunday motos started a little rough but he'll get a chance for redemption in May. In his Cruiser races Shane had to deal with bike contact on the first day but he made adjustments and won the Sunday main.
On the next step up the ladder Bobby Owens held his own in the 19-27 Expert class. Bobby scored between 2nd and 4th in all motos. He stay in the front pack by finishing the Saturday main in 4th. That's never a small feat in such a refined class. Kevin Caccavale also tried the waters on Saturday making the main and scoring 5th.
Tony Lehman threw down a perfect score in the 41+ Expert division on Sat. That man is a single speed rocket! He was well on his way towards another brilliant day on Sun as well. On the Cruiser he scored well in the motos but was tripped up in the main landing in 7th.
Justice Gagnon took on the boys at 13X on Saturday. He scored in the top three in motos and landed 5th in main.
The 9 year old Girls class was a battle between CC's McKenzie Gayheart and rival Allyson Mangold. The two girls traded 1st and 2nd all weekend long with McKenzie taking the Sat main and Allyson taking Sun. It was in the Girls Cruiser races that McKenzie really shined. She got off to a slow start in the motos on Sat but ultimate defeated riders twice her age taking the win on both days.
Allison Marchese struggled through the first day of competition but made up for it on Sunday with nearly perfect scores and a brilliant win.
The steadiest of all riders was CycleCraft's co-owner Patrick Deats. He lead the 46-50 Cruiser class with double perfect scores. Patrick was untouchable, dominating the laps right from the start and lengthening his lead as the races went on.
As always it takes a full team to make it happen. John Marchese 15X was slotted into some ruthless motos against the top riders in the class keeping him out of the mains. His efforts are greatly appreciated.
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