Wachusett Road Race to Finish in Princeton Center

Race Update - The ice storm of mid-December, 2008 caused devastation to many north central Massachusetts cities and towns. Princeton and Westminster were hit particularly hard. The Wachusett Mountain State Reservation suffered major damage, especially to the power lines headed up to the summit. The state decided to bury the power lines along what is normally our ascent road.

Progress on the project was slow to begin, and after we assessed the situation, the Longsjo staff decided to move the finish of the Wachusett Mountain Road Race to Princeton center. We know that many racers love the grueling final climb to the summit, and we expect to finish there in 2010.

There are some very positive aspects that come along with finishing in Princeton center:

• Increased spectator participation
  

• Feed Zone workers will be able to see their riders finish!
  

• Festival atmosphere on the town common

• The finish will be approx. 100 meters up Mountain Road, following the right turn off of Gregory Hill Rd. (The Wall). There should be some amazing duels on the final climb!

We appreciate everyone’s understanding of this situation, and can’t wait to see you July 2-5, 2009! -The Longsjo Staff.

A profile of one of our great sponsors - Echappe Equipment

This episode of the Longsjo Podcast profiles one of our incredible sponsors, Echappe Equipment. Gabe Lloyd of Echappe talks about how his company got it's name, what they do, and what they recommend for the 2009 Longsjo TT. Check these guys out at racewheelrental.com, they have everything you need to get the extra aerodynamic advantage at this year's Longsjo. Filmed at the 2009 Tour of the Battenkill.

New TT course for 2009!

We have confirmed our new Courtyard by Marriott South Street Time Trial course, taking place July 2, 2009. The Rindge Road course we have used in Fitchburg, Ashby, and Ashburnham in 2007 and 2008 has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer suitable for a TT course. The new course begins on South St. near the town offices in Westminster, MA, heads out to Mare Meadow Lane in Hubbardston, and returns to Dawley Rd. and South St. in Westminster. It's a 14 km TT with some gradual hills, and some great views of a reservoir system. Check out this great flyover in youtube, or watch it here.

A Longsjo Memory from Bob Simpson Winner in 1968

In 1968, I was just 19 years old. I had a good sprint and was a good bike handler, so I did well in the criterium races that year. The previous year, I had placed well in the Fitchburg Junior race and it seemed that the circuit was one that I was happy with.

In the 1968 Art Longsjo Classic, François Mertens, John Aschen, and I attacked simultaneously to break away. We got a good rhythm going and held off the main pack. Aschen, who was not the best sprinter, led out the final kilometer and François and I jumped past on either side of him in the sprint to the finish line. My good acceleration and the fact that Francois waited for me to go, making it a short sprint, worked in my favour and I won by a couple of bike lengths.

The prize for first place, that year, was a console colour TV which John Gromek and I stuffed mostly into the trunk of our ’55 Chevy to take back to New Jersey. We must have somehow put our bikes in the back seat of the car we didn’t have a roof racks in those days. On the drive home from the race, we were stopped by the police who wanted to check to make sure that we hadn’t stolen the TV that was hanging out of the trunk. The next year I couldn’t attend the race, but the winner, Jocelyn Lovell, won a car for first place if I remember correctly!

At the time, only the 9th running of the race, I was the youngest to win, at 19 years old.

When I raced in the Fitchburg Junior race the year before, I remember watching Sammy Watson, who had won in 1966, prepare to drive away after his race with all of his equipment, bikes and bags, packed inside of his Volkswagen Beetle. I was greatly impressed by his ability to squeeze everything into that little car. -Bob Simpson

Pro-Team Discount Announced

We’re pleased to announce the 2009 Pro-Team Discount Program for the 50th edition of the Longsjo. This improved discount program applies to Pro/1 Men, and Pro 1/2 Women.

• Register 4 riders by May 25th and get one free
  

• Register 6 riders by May 25th and get two free. Register the first riders online, and we’ll create manual entries for the complimentary positions.
  

• If you have a past Longsjo champion on your team, current national or world champion, (any specialty, road, track, mountain, etc.) a member of the 2008 Olympic team (any specialty or nation) then that rider’s entry fee is automatically waived!
  

• If one of your team directors or managers is a past Longsjo champion and is going to attend the 2009 Longsjo with the team, then we can add a bonus free registration!

Full details can be found here

Colavita is the first full team to sign up, and 2008 winner Kyle Wamsley will attempt to defend his title!

2009 Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Podcast - Episode Four - 2001 Criterium Storm

This episode of the Longsjo Podcast has some incredible footage of the soaking rain that forced the early cancellation of the Pro Men's Criterium in 2001. Baden Cooke took the stage win, as Dick Ring made the call. I remember hearing stories about the rivers that were flowing down the middle of Main St. when this happened. You can see in some of these shots what people are talking about. Anyone want a Briko Umbrella? -Ed

A Greeting from Terry Longsjo-Brackett

In this brief podcast episode, Terry Longsjo - Brackett welcomes back our returning champions. Terry is a remarkable woman who has seen the race develop over 50 years. The Art Longsjo memorial race began, and continues as a tribute to her late husband Arthur M. Longsjo Jr.