This past Sunday (6/13) was the Ohio state road racing championship.  The race is typically held on a course near Dayton that isn’t particularly exciting but typifies riding in Ohio in the summer:  Flat and narrow farm roads, excessive humidity, one minor hill, and a somewhat sketchy descent. The race was 7 laps for a total of 90 miles so at least the heat and humidity would be a factor.   A good group of Panther riders showed up (we are after all technically based in Ohio) so our chances for a result looked good.  I was worried that with such a strong Panther presence the field would race negatively so I started things off right by attacking as soon as the race started.  Two riders joined me and we were off:

We were out of sight quickly and then not a whole lot happened.  Lisa Martin did a nice job in the feed zone, I probably wouldn’t have finished at all if she hadn’t been there every lap.  Eventually the Huntington Bank rider succumbed to the humidity, and with around two laps to go and a 4 or 5 minute gap Paul Martin bridged up all by himself.  This would be a big deal if Paul didn’t do it so often, I think he’s bridged a giant gap solo in just about every Ohio race I’ve done with him.  That sealed up the top two spots and left the rest of our team to fight for the remaining places.  Kirk Albers stormed away with a late-race attack for 4^th and Andy Moskal outsprinted what was left of the field for 5^th.  Reigning Ohio time trial champion Andy Clarke (have to plug the sponsor, right?) was an impressive 12^th.  All in all a successful day for the team.  Also, as you can see from this great podium picture, Paul and I look ridiculous and apparently have really gross veins on our shins:

-Dan Campbell