Sprint to the finish favors Goguen

New London — With one lap remaining in a grueling Whaling City Cyclone 35-mile pro category race, the outcome remained in doubt Sunday.

Two-time defending champion Robbie King was still lurking in a tight, fiercely competitive pack.

The Dutch team fought off weary legs from competing the previous day in the Nutmeg Games to stay in contention.

Coming out of the final turn, a surprise leader emerged in a dramatic field sprint. Patrick Goguen mustered one last frantic push to claim the victory at Fort Trumbull.

"This is my biggest win yet," said Goguen, a 24-year-old from Hopedale, Mass. "I'm definitely happy."

The 56-lap race on the closed 1-kilometer course featured several breakaways as riders took turns charging into the lead. But the deepest and most talented field in the third annual event's history answered with strong counter-attacks.

Riders set a sizzling pace, averaging around 30 miles per hour. Fatigue set in at times, forcing some to drop out.

"The speed was incredible," race organizer Bill Humphreys said. "The quality of the field was higher."

Finally, near the end of the final lap, Goguen anticipated the field sprint and seized command.

"With one lap to go, I got a little out of position but I was able to find a line," Goguen said. "Right before the last turn, I took the lead. I feel like my strength has always been cornering. I was able to open up a little gap."

Goguen drew inspiration from riding for his recently-formed Team Cystic Fibrosis. Two of his nine siblings — Manny, 19, and Tom, 16 — competed during Sunday's day long, nine-race Whaling City Cyclone.

"We debuted the team in the spring," Goguen said. "Two of my brothers (Manny and Tom) have CF, so we want to raise awareness for the disease. They're doing so well health-wise because of all their riding.

"We want to promote that message to other CF patients to get out and ride or run, or do something to keep exercising their lungs. It really helps to stay healthy and stay out of the hospital and prolong their life expectancy."

Lung power certainly helped Goguen hold off runner-up Luke Keough and finish in 1 hour, 20 minutes, 2 seconds. King finished fourth.

The pre-race buzz centered on the six Dutch riders brought here by Humphreys.

The Dutch, who arrived in New London Thursday, battled jet lag and fatigue coming off a team victory in the Nutmeg Games Saturday in New Britain. Jerry Kallenfels, 23, won the individual Nutmeg title in his first race in the U.S.

"After the win they were calling Holland and people were dancing in the streets in the village of St. Willebrord," Humphreys said.

Jerry's brother Mick, 20, was the Dutch team's top rider Sunday, placing sixth. Jerry crossed the line in 11th. The international visitors appreciate the support of Humphreys and the New London community.

"I've very much enjoyed the trip," Jerry said. "I won Saturday. The trip was three days old but it's already complete. I was a little bit tired from Saturday and got short legs. During the race, I got better and better. I got closed in in the sprint, but I'm happy."

Humphreys hopes to build on the success of this year's event.

Spectator attendance was spotty due in part to Sunday's threatening weather.

"It held some spectators back," Humphreys said. "I still want more people to come out and watch. Everybody here is going to be talking about what they saw today and the riders love it here."