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Taiwan national champion wins International Cycling Classic

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on July 25, 2011

International Cycling Classic

Feng Chun-Kai won the opening race in the 2011 Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic on July 8, and maintained his Asian domination right through the finale Sunday night in Whitefish Bay.

Feng's Action Cycling Team was the most dedicated and strongest over the 17 races, and their efforts allowed him to stand on the top of a truly international podium.

 Laurent Beuret, the Swiss rider for Team Atlas Personal, and Ricardo Vande der Velde, a Dutch rider for Donckers Koffie-Jelly Belly, stood second and third, respectively.

“It’s the first time an Asian rider has won Superweek,” said Michael Garrison, the series promoter and marketing director.

Feng, just 23, will look to carry his momentum back to the Olympics, where he raced in track events in 2008.

Track racers Bobby Lea and Jackie Simes also enjoyed success in the 43rd running of the Superweek series, but solid showings in the two road races, with double points, and a bold attack to victory in the Humboldt Park Rumble, secured the top prize for Feng.

On Sunday night, he stayed safe and content in the pack, while Colton Barrett (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Optum Health) took the win in the Supeweek finale. Lea and Vander Velde were second and third.

In the series’ amateur ranks, John Fleckenstein, of Pewaukee, won the masters 1/2/3 division, and Brandon Feehery, of Ill., won the overall amateur division by one point, over David Guttenplan, of Boca Raton, Fla.

Andy Crater, of Fox Point, chased and surpassed Feng in the final races to claim the sprinters’ red jersey.

The fields for the pro races were down somewhat in 2011, and Garrison said competition from other races and the heat were the key factors. Few riders had the stamina to race every day, for 17 days, particularly during the hottest weather in decades.

One plus in the series was the inaugural Bay View Classic, on Saturday night. Garrison envisions that race at Kinnickinnic and Lincoln Aves. growing to rival the historic Downer Avenue Classic as a signature event in the series.

John Wilke shared this video of the Supereweek finale.