Fountain, CO (May 7, 2024) – COS Racing p/b Breakaway Gels battled strong winds and challenging terrain at the 2024 Fountain Groove Road Race held on Sunday, May 6th. The race, which took place on rolling hills outside of Fountain, Colorado, offered little respite from the blustery crosswinds that battered riders throughout the race. COS Racing had a particularly successful day, taking home a first-place finish, a second, a third, and multiple fourth-place finishes across various categories.
J. Erik Hartel of COS Racing took first in the Masters Men 50+ Category 4. In a dramatic race featuring a train delay, a crash, and fierce winds, Hartel made the selection by getting into a leading breakaway at the end of Squirrel Creek Road. Despite this, Hartel found himself distanced on the headwinds on Peyton Highway. However, he regrouped with two other chasers and orchestrated a well-timed maneuver. A mile before the finish line, the threesome secretly caught up to the lead group, who had slowed their tempo in preparation the final sprint. This surprise move gave Hartel the upper hand, allowing him to win the sprint against the sole Wholesome Masters rider in the breakaway. Ron Buhdi, another COS racer, displayed impressive tenacity by chasing hard to bridge the gap and secure a respectable fourth-place finish. These two finishes allowed the team to secure the team victory for COS Racing alongside George York's seventh-place finish.
The competition was fierce in the Men's Masters 40+ Category 3 as well. Sprint specialist Aaron Sudduth of COS Racing secured a strong second-place finish after a breakaway formed on Link Hill. Similarly, Noah Bishop took third place in Mens Open Category 3 from a two-man group that survived two circuits of the 40-mile course.
Within Men's Category 5, Kurt Einsel completed his first-ever road race in 5th place, while new team member Creed Ebell survived for a 7th place finish in his first road race in almost two decades.
Next up for COS Racing will be the three-day Omnium in Boulder and Memorial Day’s epic gravel weekend at Mad Gravel in Elbert, CO.
