Bikers 'ride like the wind'

Riders had a chance to display their skills Wednesday during Individual Time Trials. Amid strong winds and undesirable track conditions, the riders, divided into 68 heats of three or four riders each, raced against the clock and the competition. \nPart of the Little 500 cycling series, the ITT event is the first of three, which have no bearing on the races April 25 and 26. \nThe spectacle, in which each rider draws his or her own cheering section, brings personal attention to the riders and their abilities. \nNO SECOND TO SPARE\nThe 45th heat of the men's ITTs would be an unstoppable team if the men decided to leave their respective teams and join one team. The heat featured senior John Grant of Gafombi, senior Kevin Vanes of Acacia, Corleones rider senior Luke Isenbarger and sophomore Steve Ballinger of Team Major Taylor. Isenbarger, Vanes and Grant all finished in the top six and Ballinger in the top half of the field. \nGrant took first in the event in a time of 2:23.38, improving three places from his finish last year. He finished one second in front of sophomore Matt Davis of Fiji, who held the first-place position for 30 heats. Isenbarger finished third in a time of 2:24.57.\n"I'm really happy about my ride (Wednesday)," Grant said. "Last year I went out way too fast. This time I wanted to make sure not to be too fast. I wanted enough coming home on the last lap. I think I paced it very well."\nThe wind, temperature and loose track played a part in the event. Isenbarger said the wind and cold weather, once the sun went down, made it difficult at times to compete at a fast pace, especially on the tight turns. \n"The weather conditions were a little different," Isenbarger said. "The wind can sometimes come up. It's just the luck of the draw."\nWHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES\nWith age comes experience, and with experience comes results. \nLast year junior Corey Bitzer of Alpha Gamma Delta finished third in ITTs behind two seniors. This year the junior -- the fastest returning rider -- blew away the competition in a time of 2:44.56, two and a half seconds faster than second-place junior Annika Hosni of Phi Mu. Hosni recorded a time of 2:47.00.\nWith about a fourth of the heats left, Bitzer, who was in the lead, said she hoped she could hang on for the victory.\n"I'm pretty happy with my time," Bitzer said. "I wish it was a little better, but overall I'm pretty happy with it." \nJoining Bitzer and Hosni in the top 20 was an all-star caliber line-up of riders, as the next 15 riders after the leader all were within four seconds of each other. Sophomore Meredith Horner of Kappa Kappa Gamma finished third in 2:47.22, while teammates freshman Jess Sapp, sophomore Kelsey Cooper, junior Alison Edwards and senior Meg Haney finished in the top 13, all within two and a half seconds. \nWith all the competition around them, the riders had to fight the thoughts of racing against each other and racing against the clock.\n"I feel great," Hosni said. "I did what I wanted to do. I gradually got faster every lap."\nThe top 19 riders all ride for teams who qualified for the field in the top 13.\nUnder the picturesque sky, the winds picked up and gave some riders trouble. \n"The wind is a factor definitely," said senior Allison Ware of Team Athena, which placed 26th. "It saps your energy. You fight through it the whole way. It feels like it helps you on the front straight, but not enough to make up for in on the back straight."\nPole sitter Phi Mu owned two of the top 10 places in ITTs, which adds to their confidence coming into race day. \n"I get a lot of confidence from ITTs," Hosni said. "It shows how much I have approved."\nThe event also attracted numerous spectators who cheered on their respective teams. The participation of the spectators made for exciting heats and a lighter atmosphere.\n"It's just fun for everyone to come out," senior Corleones rider Daniel Burns said. "Look how many people are out here. There is never this many people out here for a series event. It makes Little 5 look really cool"