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Show Noaker and Harris ride off with the goods by DAVE ADLER Record staff writer Park City cyclists Tom Noaker and Madonna Harris expanded their victory range into Idaho Saturday as they rode off with titles in the 60-mile Portneuf Valley Road Race. For each it was the second United States Cycling Federation (USCF) sanctioned championship of the young season. Noaker and Harris both earned victories a month ago in the Moab Road Race, also sanctioned by the USCF. Their momentum apparently carried into the Idaho mountain country. Noaker won the men's veteran class (35 years and over) and Harris captured the women's event. Noaker earned his win with relative ease. "At the start of the race I was just fooling around trying to find out what I was up against," he said. "After testing the strength of the field by making some quick jumps, I realized that I would be all right." Noaker really wasn't pressed in the race, although he and three other racers joined in a spring for the last quarter mile. "I got a jump with about 200 yards to go and moved past the field, and won by about six bicycle lengths." In retrospect, the race was a bit of a picnic for Noaker. "I just got on my bike, borrowed some bananas and ate my breakfast and lunch while I went for a ride." For a while, however, it looked as though someone were trying to rain on his "picnic." For starters, he underestimated the driving time from Park City and barely arrived in time to ride in the race. In fact, he was late. To make matters worse, he faced a 60-mile race on an empty stomach; he ate no breakfast or lunch. And ho was tired. "I didn't feel very good when I got there," Noaker said. "After the drive and being late, I felt very frazzled and I didn't know what to expect. "But after I got into the race and tested the field, and saw that it was pretty soft, I relaxed and got into the beauty of the area." Noaker said a better test of his ability would come this summer when he enters some cycling races in California and Colorado, events which will feature "some stiff national competition." Harris, a 28-year old New Zealand transplant who is one of the premier female athletes in Utah, actually picked up two trophies on Saturday. She claimed the award for winning the women's race and also collected the trophy earned by Noaker, who left before the awards ceremony. Harris rode with the pack for the first 30 miles. But then she and a competitor turned the event into a two-woman duel. With a quarter mile to go, Harris sped away for a comfortable victory. Fellow Park City cyclist, Roxanne Toly, finished sixth. "I had a great time," said Harris. "It was a beautiful area and I enjoyed the ride itself, although I would have preferred to have ridden by myself." Unlike Noaker, Harris arrived early enough to do some homework before the race. "I came up on Friday and rode the course, so that I felt comfortable with it. I think it's important to know the course so that there aren't any surprises." i |