Extracts from Phil & Paulís commentary on the Cat 4 Stark Velo Zoar Road Race:

Phil: Here we are in the historic town of Zoar at the start of the Cat 4 road race. All the heads of state are here Paul from the big Ohio teams

Paul: Yes Phil, I can see Stark Velo have a very strong team here today. I can see Basler, Bunker, Peshoff, Parr, Turi , Lesco, Charville and Hamilton

Phil: As we watch the field head out towards the course, I hear Frankie Andreu is talking to race organizer Jean (Marie) Líowry. Frankie:

Frankie: Well Jean, I hear the secret of Stark Veloís success this season is due to how fast youíre pedalingÖ.

John: eh?

Phil: Thanks Frankie. We now join the race on the first lap as we descend from Dover Zoar. The peloton is stretched out with Stark Velo riders prominent in the pace line. This team is already stamping its authority all over this race.

Phil: Turning right on to Middle Run in the approach to the main climb on the circuit. This is a brutal climb Paul. Itíll really hurt the sprinters today.

Paul: Yes Phil, and already Stark Veloís Jeff Basler is inflicting pain on the peloton. As he goes over the top heís pulled out a gap.

Phil: But rival teams are already organizing themselves to pull him back. Heís just marking the competition Paul

Overhead camera shot of peloton taking it easy on Dover Zoar when they thought no one was looking

Paul: Here we are on the second lap with the riders strung out up Middle Run hill again

Phil: And Basler has exploded the peloton again!

Paul: Over the top, a breakaway group has formed. Basler and Hamilton are both there from Stark Velo

Phil: Iíll tell you what Paul, this is a difficult course to break away on. Already the other teams are using the long downhill run to bridge back to the breakaway.

Overhead camera pans out to show aerial view of Amish wagons in a field by the road

Paul: There are some Amish spectators out in the field with their wagonsÖ

Phil: Wait Paul. I think thereís a message in the way the wagons are parked:  S-T-A-R-K-V-E-L-O. Stark Velo!

Paul: Iíll tell you what Phil, this local team has got some incredible support in this area.

Phil: Back to the race and weíre on the final lap. The black and yellow train is pulling hard along Middle Run to prevent any attacks on the approach to the final climb. Faithful left tenants Parr and Bunker are burying themselves on behalf of the team.

Paul: The climbers are putting the hammer down now

Phil: Wait whatís happening to Parr?

Paul: Gravity, Phil.

Phil: Bunkerís cracked too - ''bridge to engine room, more power'' heís saying

Paul: Yes, Parr and Bunker have done their part for the team. Now itís up to Basler and the climbers to keep control of the race. Baslerís over the top for the last time followed by Matt Turi this time Phil.

Phil: Turi is having the ride of his life today. But whatís happening further down the hill? Looks like one of the riders is having a spot of bother

Paul: You can say that again Phil. His shoe came unclipped and it looks like heís been castrated on his top tube.

Phil: Narsty. We can hear his screams from our commentary box in the Zoar tavern (hic)!

Paul: Team Orrville have attacked over the top! Basler is chasing him down and a breakaway group has formed behind him

Phil: Stark Velo are very well represented in this very select group. Turi, Lesco, Charville and Hamilton have all joined Basler

Paul: I hope Basler doesnít overdo it in the chase Phil. The rest of his team was only just hanging on over the top.

Phil: Well theyíve caught the Orrville rider, but two other riders are away now and Hamilton is giving chase

Paul: Heís catching the lead riders but heís not there yet Phil.

Phil: Hamilton is reaching down into his suitcase of courage to close the gap

Paul: Looks like his suitcase is empty Phil

Phil: Luckily another rider came round and so the group is together as they approach the final 200m and the field sprint. Itís going to be a close one Paul.

Paul: Look at this! Five riders across the road as they approach the line on this fast down hill finish.

Phil: Looks like Lesco of Stark Velo got it on the line, but itís a photo finish for the others

Later...

Hamilton: Weíre back at the Zoar Tavern. Phil and Paul are erÖ indisposed, but I can confirm that Stark Velo captured 3 of the top 5 places. Lesco 1st, Hamilton 4th and Turi 5th.  Great teamwork guys!

Any more warm beer left?