Kimball Union's Peter Abdu Wins Profile Cycling Race
Kimball Union Academy sophomore Peter Abdu, son of William and Linda Abdu of Hanover, NH endured a hilly, tortuous road race course to beat a field thirty-five "C" division boys in the New England Prep Cycling Federation's 22 mile Profile cycling race on Sunday, May 7 in Franconia, NH.
Abdu was able to remain in contact with three other high school riders as they crested the first ascent up Sugar Hill. After surviving this first climbing battle, Abdu rode defensively for the remaining miles on the undulating loop that ran through the towns of Eaton and Franconia, NH.
Abdu found himself having to make a classic win or lose decision as one of the foursome sped away in the last mile. Rather than chase the inspired rider with the remaining two opponents taking advantage of his slipstream, Abdu elected to wait patiently for the others to take the initiative. For a few tense moments none of the remaining three responded and it looked like the initiator's gamble was going to pay off. Fortunately Abdu's patience was rewarded as one of the riders panicked and surged to the front. This gave the clever and opportunistic Abdu an "arm-chair" ride to the 200 meter mark where he handily came around at the finish for his second NEPC win of the season.
This marks the third time in three weeks that a KUA rider has won a major road race on the New England Prep Cycling calendar. The next race will be hosted by Proctor Academy and held at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH on Wed. May 10.
