Florida Gravel Grinder series #5 – Jennings Forest Grind – Middleburg, Fl

Could not have ordered a more perfect day to race bicycles, especially in Jennings Forest, there was much needed rain on Friday that packed down the freshly graded limestone that covered what was a sand section last year making for a smoking fast surface and an amazingly fun ride on a gravel bike.

Saturday the second individual time trial of the series was held featuring one full lap of the 18.7 mile course. Top male rider in the TT was Trent Maddox while Phoebe Maisto logged the women’s fast time.

On the course there were also some amazing battles and although the majority of the course was blazing fast there was a turn near the end that needed to be navigated before the final sprint and could potentially play a role in the results, so there seemed to be a sigh of relief each time the racer passed through. In the end though it was Zach Osborne taking his second win in a row in the sprint open class and it was Phoebe Maisto who could claim to be the fastest of the women sprint classes. In the men’s open marathon there was a close four way battle most of the way but Jason Marcotte proved to be the strongest on this day while in the women’s marathon it was Jamie Rothhaug who took the win.

Many thanks to all of the riders, sponsors and volunteers that made series a success. Especially SORBA JAX and Champion Cycling (who provided all of the great swag). Next race is the 4-19 round #6 of the Florida Endurance series in Alachua, Fl.