Isaac Howe grabs Working Man's Classic Lead

Isaac Howe (Team Mountain Khakis) followed up Tuesday's 4th place finish at the Working Man's Classic with a sprint win on Wednesday, and now leads the GC by two points over Jeff Buckles (Richmond Pro Cycling) and Todd Hipp (Battley Harley-Davidson). Buckles finished 4th on Wednesday to surge upward in the GC. Battley Harley-Davidson placed both Todd Hipp and Keck Baker on Wednesday's podium behind Howe.

The race was animated with many breakaway attempts. Battley Harley-Davidson was particularly aggressive, sweeping up primes like my vacuum cleaner does Cheerios under the high chair. Keck Baker pocketed a $100 gift certificate from jandwseafood.com, and Russ Langley was on a solo break for a stretch as well.

In the 4/5 race, Curtis Smith (Team Natures Path / 3Sports) solidified his GC lead with a 3rd place finish on Wednesday. Chris McMillan (HPC) finished 2nd last night and moves into 2nd in the GC. Wednesday's 4/5 winner was Chad Rathbone (Kazane Racing), whose victory catapulted him to 3rd on the GC.

Course marshaling duties fell to River City Women's Racing, and we thank them for their support.

Pictures to follow. In the meantime, enjoy this helmet cam video of Tuesday's night's race, courtesy of Bryan Vaughan.

Tonight's conclusion pits Isaac Howe and his Team Mountain Khakis squad against local hero Jeff Buckles and the rest of Richmond Pro Cycling, along with Todd Hipp and the powerful Battley Harley-Davidson team. The course includes a technical 120 degree turn and will be particularly challenging.

Cat 1/2/3 Overall after Stage 2:

1.     Isaac Howe (TMK) 17
2.    Jeff Buckles (RPC) 15
2.    Todd Hipp (BHD) 15 tie
4.    Dave Fuentes (BHD) 11
4.    Chuck Hutcheson (BHD) 11 tie
5.    Keck Baker (BHD) 11 tie
7.    Mason Haymes (TNP) 5 tie
8.    Craig Dodson (RPC) 5 tie
9.    Dan King (Van Dessel) 4 tie
10.    Ben Zawecki (RPC) 4 tie
11.    Craig Dodson (RPC) 3
12.    Andrew Alli (CBC) 2 (Top Cat 3)
13.    Jared Nieters (Haymarket) 1
14.    Brendan Cornett (RPC) 1

Cat 4/5 Overall Results after Stage 2:
1.    Curtis Smith (TNP) 18
2.    Chris McMillan (HPC) 15
3.    Chad Rathbone (Kazane Racing)  13 tie
4.    Grayson Cobb (Kazane Racing) 13 tie
5.    Johnny Phan (CBC) 13 tie
6.    Ken Fennema (Bike Works) 8
7.    Michael Myers (TNP) 7
8.    Wick Smith (Fitness Together) 6 tie
9.    Christian Sherridan (TNP) 6
10.    Mike Yengling (TNP) 4
11.     Ethan Lindbloom (CBC) 2
12.    Nickolay Eremlin (JRVS) 1