On the Attack at Thater
(Sunday August 30, 2009 - Binghamton, NY) Empire had a great ride in the 2009 edition of Chris Thater making for an exciting show. While ultimate winners, Planet Energy Pro Cycling made the race fast from the gun alternating attacks from Parisien and Langois the main break of the day consisted of 6-men; John Loenher (Empire/Northwave), Alejandro Borrajo (Colavita - Sutter Home), Mark Walters (BikeKyle), Andres Diaz Corrales (GS Mengoni), Shane Kline (Kelly Benefit Strategies), and Ryan Roth (Planet Energy Pro Cycling). The move went with 15 laps to go and with the right combination of team represented gained up to 22 seconds on the main field. In the end Kelly Benefits didn’t love the combination and Kline fell off the pace forcing a major chase from Kelly to bring the race back together. With 6 laps to go Borrajo put the selection on the ropes wittling the group down to himslefm Corrales, Loeher and Roth. Loehner was caught out for a moment but bridged back and then rode straight past the break with 4 laps to go while the peloton was closing in fast. Loehner, a winner of Thater all the way back in 1989 wasn’t able to hold off full chasing squads from both Colavita and Kelly and was absorbed in the final laps setting the stage for another bunch gallop. Empire’s Clayton Barrows, who marked the early part of the race well was able to represent the team in the group sprint finishing 7th overall.
As the final NRC of the season for Empire the team was able to do another season of solid national results finishing up as one of the top teams in America. The season is far from over though as the team sets off to Vermont next week for the Green Mountain Stage Race and followed by the Univest Grand Prix in Pennsylvia and the Bear Mountain Fall Classic in Harriman, NY.
