VeloNorth begins 09 season; Troy Henry sets new record

A five second countdown began VeloNorth’s 2009 road cycling season Wednesday at the Carcross Cut-Off.

A five second countdown began VeloNorth’s 2009 road cycling season Wednesday at the Carcross Cut-Off.

Cyclist battled a head-wind that seemed to blow both ways of the 17.5-km course.

However, other then that the weather provided ideal conditions for the season’s opening time trial.

Troy Henry didn’t show any rust in the season opener, setting a new course record by 28 seconds.

Henry, who competed in the men’s expert category, crossed the finish line at 23 minutes and 36 seconds. He averaged 44.5 km/hr.

Jonah Clark posted the second best time in the men’s expert class, coming in at 25 minutes and 13 seconds. He was followed by Stephen Wackerhagen, who competed in the sport men’s category. Wackerhagen finished less than 30 seconds behind Clark.

John Berryman had the fourth fastest time of the night, coming in at 26 minutes and 13 seconds, while expert men’s rider Derrick Hynes rounded out the top five fastest times after he came in at 26:22.

Thirty-three riders took part on Wednesday, including 12 women.

The top time in the expert women’s category was posted by Heather Enders, who crossed the finish line at 28:55.

Monica Melnychuk wasn’t far off Enders’ time, finishing with a time of 29 minutes and 32 seconds.

“It’s a good test to your fitness,” Melnychuk said. “I just wanted to beat my km per hour of the one I did last year and I think I did.”

Melnychuk said it’s awesome how many women riders took part on Wednesday.

“I think this is the most we have had,” she said. “I’m not 100 per cent sure, but since I have been here. It’s really good.”

Other results in the expert women’s category included Sierra Van de Meer, who placed third with her time of 29:47, while Jillian Chown finished fourth at 30:13.

There were five riders in the expert women’s category, while seven cyclists took part in the sport women’s event.

The most popular category on Wednesday was the sport men’s, which featured 13 participants.

Judd Dueling finished third in the sport men’s, behind Wackerhagen and Berryman. Dueling’s time of 26:46 was more than a minute and 30 seconds faster than Anthony Delorenzo, who placed fourth in the sport men’s.

The closest finish of the night was a one-on-one battle between Yukon Quest legend Hans Gatt and Jarrid Dary.

Dary got the best of Gatt this week, finishing a mere second ahead of the three-time Yukon Quest champ. Gatt’s time was 29:12.

Scott Kerby, Wednesday’s chef of race, was pleased with the high turnout and said it was nice to see such a wide variety of cyclists.