By Ryan Barrett — Alison Frye (Ski Utah-Marketstar) and Alex Pristash (LaGrange-Michelob) took out the Women’s Pro 1-3 and Men’s Pro 1-2 wins at the Utah State Road Race Championships on June 22. As Pristash, from Las Vegas, is not a Utah resident, the men’s title goes to Bryce Young of Canyon Bicycles.
After several years on the Little Mountain course outside of Logan, the championships were moved to the Sanpete Road Race course beginning and finishing in Spring City. Competitors were blessed with a beautiful and temperate day as the women completed a 72 mile loop, while the men went for 98.
The action came early in the men’s race with Aaron Olsen (FFKR) and Will Hanson (Ski Utah-Marketstar) making the early move. These two quickly forged a gap of over 3 minutes, but this was as much time as they were able to gain and they were caught shortly after the half-way point. Much attacking occurred within the crosswinds leading up to the finale, but no one was able to maintain an advantage. On the final climb, the group did splinter, but nearly came together for the final sprint. At the line, it was Pristash, followed by Young and Taylor Fletcher (Cole Sport).
The women’s event also saw very aggressive riding, splitting up more than the men’s field. Frye was able to take a solo win about 20 seconds ahead of what remained of the field. The group sprint was for 2nd was taken out by Tiffany Pezzulo (Primal Pro), followed by Laura Howat (Ski Utah-Marketstar) in 3rd.
