Barry-Roubaix

Barry-Roubaix[1] is a classic-style road/off-road cycling race featuring a variety of terrain and surfaces to test cyclists of all skill levels. Named to the Global Cycling Network's Top Five Gravel Events[2] and Nine Coolest Races of 2018,[3] the event is known as the World's Largest Gravel Road Race.[2]

Barry-Roubaix
Barry-Roubaix trophy
Race details
DateLate March/Early April, annually
RegionMichigan, USA
Nickname(s)Killer Gravel Road Race
DisciplineCyclo-cross, Gravel Grinder, Gravel road race
History
First edition2009 (2009)
Editions11 (as of 2019)
First winnerMichael Simonson & Mackenzie Woodring
Most recentMat Stephens & Kae Takeshita

The course is located in Barry County, Michigan near the Gun Lake Unit of Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Most years, Barry-Roubaix consists of rolling gravel roads (80%), pavement, one mile of rough two-track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing.[4] The race features three distinct levels of competition corresponding to different race course distances. The Beginner/Intermediate riders complete a 22-mile course, the Expert riders complete a 36-mile course, and the Elite/Pro riders complete a 62-mile course. The name "Barry-Roubaix" was selected in a naming competition; it is a reference to the famous spring classic Paris–Roubaix one day professional cycling race held in France.[5] Barry-Roubaix is held annually on the third Saturday in March unless Easter happens to fall on that weekend. Participants use a variety of bicycle types (cyclocross, mountain, road, fat), depending on course conditions and individual preferences.

Results

Summary Results Table[6]

Year Finishers Male Winner (Psycho Killer) Female Winner (Psycho Killer) Male Winner (Killer) Female Winner (Killer) Male Winner (Chiller) Female Winner (Chiller) Male Winner (Thriller) Female Winner (Thriller)
2019 Michael Simonson Cristine Thornburgh Mat Stephens Kae Takeshita Jamison Sheppard Summer Gilbert Nate Van Belois Kathy Braginton
2018 Michael Simonson Nan Doyal Mat Stephens Rachel Langdon Tyler Weston Christina Draijer Hayden Fox Robin Wooldridge
2017 1864 N/A N/A Mat Stephens Lily Williams Joseph Martin Marie Voss Andrew Sics Angie O'Brien
2016 2677 N/A N/A Rudyard Peterson Rachel Langdon Bryce Nuiver Marie Dersham Alex Morton Robin Wooldridge
2015 2421 N/A N/A David Lombardo Mackenzie Woodring Cameron Buccelato Lindsey Kriete Jesse Lopez Ray Maureen O'Hare
2014 2174 N/A N/A Steven Broglio Stephanie Swan Simon Bailey Emma Swartz Brad Zapalowski Peggy Hasse
2013 2144 N/A N/A Justin Lindine Mackenzie Woodring Rudyard Peterson Cindi Bannick Eddie Stein Emma Swartz
2012 1338 N/A N/A Mike Anderson Amy Stauffer Jordan Diekema Marie Dersham Greg Brown Katie Tomczyk
2011 896 N/A N/A Erik Box Samantha Brode Don Cameron Kathy Everts Trevor Smela Sherry Martin
2010 656 N/A N/A Derek Graham Mackenzie Woodring Taylor Birmann Julie Daher Larry Peters Diane Kaeser
2009 248 N/A N/A Michael Simonson Mackenzie Woodring Chris Kreple Laura Johnson David Vannette Andrea Davis

History

2009

Started in 2009, Barry-Roubaix's inaugural event staging took place at the historic Long Lake Outdoor Center, in Middleville, Michigan, a Barry County, Michigan community. On March 28, the 274 racers were treated to perfect conditions; cool and sunny weather prevailed.[5][7]

2010

For 2010, the race start/finish location moved to the Gun Lake beach area at Yankee Springs Recreation Area to accommodate the anticipated growth in attendance. On race day (March 27), the Sheriff escorted the 673 racers[7] through a controlled, neutral roll out of 2.5 miles.[5] Racers faced sunny but cold conditions; the temperature at the time of the race start was only 34 °F (1 °C) degrees, while a biting 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) wind blew out of the southeast.[5]

2011

The 2011 edition was held on March 26, in very cold conditions.[8] Over 1000 participants started the race, but only 896 finished; 114 racers completed the 65 mile course (male winner: Erik Box, female winner: Samantha Brode); 564 racers completed the 35 mile course (male winner: Don Cameron; female winner: Kathy Everts); and 218 racers completed the 23 mile course (male winner: Trevor Smela; female winner: Sherry Martin).[9][10][11]

2012

In 2012, Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race served as the second of five events in the American UltraCx Championship Series (stages ranging from 80 to 115 km).[12][13] In the weeks leading up to the race, kolo t.c. riders previewed the course, sharing elevation profiles and tips for succeeding on challenging course sections including the Eye of the Tiger climb, Sager Road, and the Three Sisters.[14]

2013

Consistent with the increase in popularity of gravel road racing (also known as 'Gravel Grinders') in the United States, the 2013 event was moved again, this time to downtown Hastings, MI.[15] The new start/finish area was well received by the City, local residents and racers.[16] Registration for the fifth annual Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race increased by almost three-fold, to 2873 registered participants.[17] An unexpected snowstorm created unusually harsh conditions, and the race course was altered at the last minute to avoid the treacherous Sager Road two-track section.[17] Despite the course alteration, the race almost lived up its "Killer" name, as a participant collapsed on the course but was later revived by a medical team.[18] The 2013 title sponsor was Founders Brewing.[19]

2014

The 2014 edition was held on March 22; the event has been classified as the world's largest gravel road race with over 3000 participants.[20][21][22]

2015

Media coverage leading up to the 7th annual Barry-Roubaix (28 March 2015) focused on a forecast for unseasonably cold temperatures, and anticipation of a large field size and podium payouts.[23] In both the men's and women's 62 mile Open Category races, early breakaways defined the outcome of the day. 2008 Summer Paralympics Gold medalist Mackenzie Woodring (Lowell, MI) took the 2015 Barry-Roubaix Women's Open trophy with a finish time more than five minutes faster than runner-up and 2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team United States Elite Women's Team Member,[24][25] Crystal Anthony (Beverly, MA). This win marked Woodring's fourth Barry-Roubaix victory in seven attempts. In contrast, Men's Open Category 2015 Barry-Roubaix Champion, David Lombardo (Crystal Lake, IL), established and held an early lead for most of the 62 mile race, but finished only 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Nathaniel Beams (Fort Collins, CO).[26]

2016
Permanent road signs placed throughout Barry County, Michigan, guide cyclists through all three race courses.

In January 2016, 65 permanent road signs were installed in Barry County to mark the three Barry-Roubaix course routes for race participants and recreational cyclists who visit the area to train on the course year-round.[27] The annual economic impact of the Barry-Roubaix event has grown to over US$500,000.[28]

The 2016 Barry-Roubaix was pushed back until April 16, 2016 to avoid a conflict with Easter. The later starting date presented riders with a new and virtually unheard of challenge for this race, heat. The average temperature for the 62 mile race was 70F which was a full 41 degrees warmer than the average temperature from previous year. Dry and dusty course conditions made for a fast race which took on the character of a road race with large pelotons staying together until the finish. The top four riders all had the same finishing time (2:54:56), with Rudyard Peterson (Team Credit Velo-Trek; Michigan, USA) winning the sprint at the line. The top nine riders came in within one second of one another. On the women's side, it was a different story with Rachel Langdon (Kentucky, USA) finishing almost 7 minutes ahead of Christine Thornburg (Team Psimet Racing, Illinois USA) with a time of 3:08:37.[29]

On 26 Jan 2017, the tourism and economic development impact of Barry-Roubaix was recognized as the event tied for The Destination Award, an annual award given by the Barry County, Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.[30]

2017

Held March 25, 2017, the 9th edition of Barry-Roubaix was one of eight events in the Michigan Gravel Race Series, a points series that debuted in 2017.[31][32] The male winner of the 62 mile 'Killer' race was Mat Stephens, who edged out Mac Brennen and Ansel Dickey in a sprint for the finish line.[33] The female winner of the 62 mile race was Lily Williams.[34]

2018
Founders Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race: 10 year anniversary emblem

The tenth anniversary edition of the Founders Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race was held 21 April 2018. To commemorate this anniversary, race organizers added a longer, more challenging 100 miles (160 km) race, such that four cycling races occurred simultaneously:[35]

  • The Panaracer Psycho-Killer (100 miles (160 km))
  • The SRAM Corporation Killer (62 miles (100 km))
  • The Smith Optics Thriller (36 miles (58 km))
  • The Lauf Chiller (22 miles (35 km))

The Men's 62 mile Killer race winner was 2017 winner Mat Stephens (Team Panaracer/Stan’s NoTubes), finishing 11 minutes faster than the previous year. The time is a new course record. Daniel Yankus (Team Athletic Mentors/Fabri-Kal Greenware) placed second, and Timothy Rugg (Team The High Roost p/b Lauf) finished third. The 2018 Women's 62 mile Killer race was decided in a sprint finish, with the top three finishers' times separated by three seconds. Race winner Rachel Langdon (Team Gray Goat Mobile) also won in 2016. Finishing in 2:59:57, Langdon set a new course record, bettering Mackenzie Woodring's 2013 record by seven minutes. Mary Penta (Team Women's Racing Project) and Kae Takeshita (Team Panaracer/Stan's NoTubes) finished second and third.[36] Jeff Jacobi, a Grand Rapids, Michigan cyclist, completed the 36 mile Thriller gravel race on a Penny-farthing vintage high wheeler bike, raising over $10,000 (USD) for the charity Gilda's Club.[37]

References
  1. "Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race". www.barry-roubaix.com. Kisscross Events. 2015. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  2. GCN's Top Five Gravel Events (video). Global Cycling Network (Play Sports Network/Discovery, Inc.). 31 May 2018. Event occurs at 1:02. Retrieved 3 Jun 2018.
  3. The GCN Cycling Race News Show: The 9 coolest races of 2018 (video). 31 Dec 2018. Retrieved 3 Jun 2018.
  4. Meyerson, Howard (21 Mar 2010). "Cyclists take to gravel roads in Barry-Roubaix". The Grand Rapids Press. Barry County, Michigan. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  5. Hancock, Brian (29 Mar 2010). "2010 Barry-Roubaix: Full report, results, and photos". Cyclocross Magazine.
  6. "Barry-Roubaix: Results Summary". www.barry-roubaix.com. Kisscross Events. 2018. Retrieved 9 Jul 2018.
  7. "Race results". www.barry-roubaix.com. Kisscross Events. 2011. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  8. Parsons, Thom (29 March 2011). "Barry Roubaix Men's Elite 65 Highlights 2011". www.cyclingdirt.org. cyclingdirt. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  9. "65 mile results, 2011". www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  10. "35 mile results, 2011". www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  11. "23 mile results, 2011". www.raceservices.com. raceservices.com. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  12. Plite, Rick (25 Mar 2012). Barry-Roubaix: The Killer Gravel Road Race (Promoter Recap) (video). Hastings, MI USA: cyclingdirt.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-22. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  13. "American UltraCX Races". ultracx.com. 2014. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  14. "2012 Barry-Roubaix Course Preview". kolotc.co. kolo t.c. 21 Mar 2012. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  15. "Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race & After Party". foundersbrewing.com. Founders Brewing Company. 15 Jan 2013. Retrieved 11 Apr 2018.
  16. Bures, Frank (13 Mar 2013). "On the Groad: Gravel riding has exploded over the past few years. Frank Bures tries to figure out where it's going -- and if that even matters". Outside Online. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  17. ., Molly (21 Mar 2013). "BARRY ROUBAIX: 62 MILES OF DIRT, GRAVEL AND SNOW". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 4 Jan 2015.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. Ponsetto, Sandra (28 Mar 2013). "Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race nearly lives up to its name". The Hastings Banner. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 6 Jan 2015.
  19. "Founders Brewing Co. and Kisscross Events Host Annual Bicycle Race". Brewbound: Craft beer news, events & jobs. Grand Rapids, MI. 17 Jan 2013. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  20. Chance, Todd (19 March 2014). "Founders Barry-Roubaix: Largest gravel road bicycle race set for Saturday". mlive.com. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  21. Kopecky, George (18 April 2014). "Barry Roubaix Recap". www.slowtwitch.com. slowtwitch. Retrieved 22 Dec 2014.
  22. Cruikshank, Aaron (26 Mar 2014). "MANAGE YOUR LOSSES—A BARRY ROUBAIX RACE RECAP". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, MI. Retrieved 7 Jan 2015.
  23. Reimann, Andrew (27 March 2015). "2015 Founders Brewing Barry-Roubaix Gravel Race Weekend Preview". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  24. "USA Cycling announces 2015 world cyclocross championship squads". velonews.com. 13 Jan 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  25. Reimann, Andrew (31 Jan 2015). "Ferrand Prevot outsprints Cant to become the new Women's Elite World Champion, Vos third after six straight titles". cxmagazine.com. Tabor, Czech Republic. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  26. Reimann, Andrew (29 March 2015). "Two Breakaways at the 2015 Barry-Roubaix Gravel Race: Full results and interview with winner Mackenzie Woodring". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  27. "New signs permanently designate Barry-Roubaix race routes". Hastings Banner. Michigan, USA. 16 Jan 2016. Retrieved 5 Feb 2017.
  28. Roelofs, Ted (20 Jul 2016). "As hunting wanes, Michigan must sell itself to a new outdoors generation". mlive.com. Michigan, USA. Retrieved 5 Feb 2017.
  29. Cruikshank, Aaron (25 Apr 2016). "RIDERS TAKE ON 2016 BARRY ROUBAIX IN PERFECT CONDITIONS – RACE REPORT, MEN'S OPEN RESULTS AND INTERVIEW WITH WINNER". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, MI, USA. Retrieved 5 Feb 2017.
  30. "Barry County Chamber celebrates success, recognizes leaders / 1-26-17". The Hastings Banner. Hastings, Mi, USA. 26 Jan 2017. Retrieved 27 Jan 2017.
  31. "Michigan Gravel Race Series: Schedule". www.michigangravelraceseries.com. Michigan Gravel Race Series. 2017. Retrieved 5 Feb 2017.
  32. "Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race 2017". newtontiming.com. Newton Timing. 25 Mar 2017. Retrieved 5 Apr 2018.
  33. Schuster, Zachary (20 Apr 2018). "PREVIEW: BARRY-ROUBAIX BRINGS KILLER COURSE, PRIZES TO MICHIGAN'S BARRY COUNTY". Cyclocross magazine. USA. Retrieved 20 Apr 2018.
  34. "Results: Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race 2017". chronotrack.com. Newton Timing. 25 Mar 2017. Retrieved 13 Apr 2018.
  35. "2018 Founders Barry-Roubaix Race Details:" (PDF). barry-roubaix.com. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 20 Apr 2018.
  36. Schuster, Zachary (23 Apr 2018). "LANGDON, STEPHENS WIN MICHIGAN'S FAST FAST FAST 2018 BARRY-ROUBAIX GRAVEL RACE". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan, USA. Retrieved 24 Apr 2018.
  37. Schuster, Zachary (12 May 2018). "IDIOT ON THE PENNY FARTHING: JEFF JACOBI'S BARRY-ROUBAIX GRAVEL RIDE FOR CHARITY". Cyclocross Magazine. Hastings, Michigan, USA. Retrieved 3 Jun 2018.
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