Cycling hosts inaugural Mountaineer Classic in Clarksburg

The West Virginia club cycling team grabbed several top-10 finishes in two races at the inaugural Clarksburg Mountaineer Classic in Clarksburg, W.Va., Saturday and Sunday.

More than 100 racers from schools such as Virginia Tech, North Carolina State University, Naval Academy, University of Virginia, University of Maryland, George Washington University and American University attended the race.

The cycling club also held a bike rodeo Saturday to help teach kids safe bike-riding skills.

"The weekend went really well," said WVU club cycling president Emily Moy. "It was definitely a success. We had a lot of support; a lot of people came out on Saturday and Sunday to watch our races and support us, and that was really exciting."

Duncan Oliver, a graduate student in petroleum engineering, and Balaji Seward, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, placed third and fifth, respectively, in the Men's B category. Janel Bedard, a graduate student, placed third while Moy ended fourth in the Women's A race.

Senior Ryan McGovern placed second, and Todd LaTocha placed fifth in the Men's D race.

Sunday was the road race at Watters Smith Park near Lost Creek, W.Va., that featured a 12-mile loop around the wooded area with a total distance of 60 miles for Men's A, 48 miles for Men's B and Women's A, 32 miles for Men's C and Women's B, and 24 miles for the Men's D grouping.

Bedard placed second in the Women's A while Brad Dodson, a graduate student in physical therapy, won the Men's B by more than four and a half minutes. Dodson led a 1-2 WVU finish in the race as Oliver finished second. McGovern placed third in Men's D.

"Brad (Dodson) is incredible," Moy said. "He's new to the team this year and has never raced before, so we're all blown away by his performance. We're going to try to help him out, and hopefully he can keep doing this next year.

"He's one of those superstars that starts out as a beginner but upgrades quicker than all the rest of us without even trying."

The team will head to the Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championships this weekend, which will be hosted by Virginia Tech, to wrap up the road season. The team says it's already planning its trip back to Clarksburg next season.

Moy said next year's race will also be open to the public and not just collegiate riders.

"We are extremely grateful for all the support from the community and hope next year will be an even greater success."