A Bold Solo Breakaway
Philadelphia, USA, June 7, 1992
1992 Champion:  Bart Bowen (USA) 251 kms (156 miles) in (41.02 km/h)
1992 US National Champion: (1st) Bart Bowen (USA)
The 8th annual CoreStates USPRO Championships got a treat in 1992. The CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, WCAU-Channel 10, produced a four and a half hour live television broadcast. The production crew included 15 stationary cameras, 3 motorcycle cameras, 4 helicopters, and 10 reporters spread around the course. The Philly race had come of age in 1992.
The starter’s pistol fired at precisely 9 AM sending the riders off on a 251 kms (156 miles) journey around the streets of Philadelphia. The weather predictions for the race were for temperatures to rise into the high 90’s. With a strong wind from the south the heat and humidity would play a roll in the outcome of the race.
As the temperatures rose the racing began to heat-up. An early breakaway was down to two escapees as the peloton exploded on the seventh climb of the Manayunk Wall. One of the pre-race favorites Phil Anderson (Motorola) jumped clear on the Wall. Bo-Andre Namtvedt (Subaru) and teammate Bart Bowen were the only two with the strength to respond.
The Anderson group quickly joined Jim Copeland (Chevrolet/LA Sheriff’s) and Andy Bishop (Motorola) in the breakaway. This combination made for a dangerous group and the chase behind was fierce. The peloton regrouped through the start/finish area with eight laps to go.
Attacks began to come in rapidly succession. Several promising breaks were contained and the Motorola led peloton was together going into the final 14.4 mile lap. The race again exploded over the climb of the Wall. Nine riders escape and quickly got a minute on the peloton. Bart Bowen used a huge gear to climb Strawberry Hill and opened a sizable gap on the breakaway. Hesitation in the group allowed Bowen to open the gap to a minute on the chasers.
Subaru-Montgomery's Bart Bowen solo for the victory
Through the “Lemon Loops” Bowen powered over Lemon Hill with relative ease. At the finish line Subaru-Montgomery’s Bart Bowen took the victory, 1’20” ahead of Andrzej Mierzjewski, a local Philadelphia rider, who sprinted home for second place.
With the victory Bart Bowen gained the Stars and Stripes jersey as the US National Champion.
Top 10 |
1. Bart Bowen (USA) Subaru-Montgomery 6h10’51” (41.02 km/h) |
2. Andrzej Mierzjewski (Pol) Bike Line +1’20” |
3. Roberto Pelliconi (Ita) Merchatone Uno |
4. Massimo Iannicello (Ita) |
5. Andy Bishop (USA) Motorola |
6. Jamie Paolinetti (USA) Chevrolet/LA Sheriff’s |
7. Herbert Neiderberger (Sui) Spago |
8. Masatoshi Ichikawa (Jpn) Bleiker |
9. Bo-Andre Namtvedt (Nor) Subaru-Montgomery |
10. Enrico Cecchetto (Ita) Merchatone Uno |
USA National Championship Podium |
1. Bart Bowen (USA) Subaru-Montgomery |
2. Andy Bishop (USA) Motorola |
3. Jamie Paolinetti (USA) Chevrolet/LA Sheriff’s |
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