2011 Post-Event Release

Steel City Showdown 2011 a Success for Pittsburgh Cycling
For immediate release
April 19, 2011

Jared Babik (GPOA) celebrates his win
(photo by Jon Pratt)

PITTSBURGH - The Steel City Showdown took place Sunday on Pittsburgh's North Shore with gusty winds and temperatures in the upper-40s. Hundreds of cyclists and spectators attended the event that took place on the historic Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol Bridges Sunday April 17. The course made for an exciting race for spectators and riders with wide swooping corners and windy uphill sprints as the racers climbed the two bridges each lap.

The Elite Men's race was won by Pittsburgh native Jared Babik of the GPOA squad who fought off three Cleveland Clinic/RGF teammates in a breakaway which lasted the majority of the race. Babik was also the winner when the race was held previously in 2008. The Elite Women's race was won by Kacey Manderfield of the Pure Energy Cycling-ProAirHFA squad, narrowly beating out two locals, Stephanie Swan (Iron City Bikes) and Gray Patton (Carbon Racing). Local team Freddie Fu also had a good showing with wins in the Masters 40+ race by Joe Ruggery and Men's 3/4 race by John Cotter.

Kacey Manderfield tops the
Women's 1/2/3 podium

The Steel City Showdown grew tremendously since it was first held in 2008 as a collegiate event thanks in large part to new sponsors, including strong support from title sponsor Allegheny General Hospital Sports Medicine. Cycling Fusion,a featured sponsor, filmed the entire event that is scheduled for release sometime in 2011 on DVD from their affiliate production company, Global Ride Cycling. By the end of the day, the number of race registrations totaled 322, making this race a huge success in its first year back on the schedule.

In addition to the days' races, the organizers arranged The Steel City Showdown Tailgate featuring local bike shops, sponsors and non-profit organizations. Local bike shops participated in a competition for best tent, which was won this year by Trek of Pittsburgh. Trek of Pittsburgh swayed the judges with their Make-Your-Own-Cowbell and grill.

Crowds lined the streets downtown
(photo by Jon Pratt)

Race organizers are already looking forward to growing the event for 2012 edition of the race. The community has embraced the Steel City Showdown, making this Western Pennsylvania's premier road race. With the bar set high organizers believe that in the coming years people will view Pittsburgh as "a perfect crossroads for bike racing, where the speed of the East meets the best of the West."

Images

Downloads:

• 2011 Post-Race Release (pdf)
• Full Results (pdf)

Image Credits:

• Jon Pratt
• Fred Jordan
• Mike Briggs

Top Results

Men's 1/2/3
1. Jared Babik (GPOA)
2. Jim Baldasare (Cleveland Clinic / RGF P/b Felt Bicycles)
3. Jeremy Grimm (Cleveland Clinic / RGF P/b Felt Bicycles)

Women's 1/2/3
1. Kacey Manderfield (Pure Energy Cycling - ProAirHFA)
2. Stephanie Swan (Iron City Bikes)
3. Gray Patton (Carbon Racing)

Men's 3/4
1. John Cotter (Freddie Fu)
2. Louis Paumier (Ride On Wooster)
3. Matt Celek (Stark Velo)

Masters 40+
1. Joseph Ruggery (Freddie Fu)
2. Andrew Clark (Panther P/b Competitive Cyclist)
3. Gunnar Shogren (Dynamic Physical Therapy)

Masters 50+
1. Jim Yankush (Mahoning Valley Cycling)
2. Robert Gottlieb (Amstel RC-13)
3. Robert Vogt (Mahoning Valley Cycling)

Women's 4
1. Heather Eaglen (Team Competitive Gear)
2. Amy Smith (Team Competitive Gear)
3. Rachel Weaver (Steel City Endurance)

Men's 5
1. Michal Krauze (Koeles Cycling Club)
2. Benjamin Fogle (Hilltop Dynamics)
3. Robert Abramson (Carnegie Mellon University)

Juniors U19
1. Alan Royek (Hollyloft/Alfies)
2. Chase Howard (Pro Bikes)
3. John Hoffman (Team Spin)