Maturity and Growth Mark Season 4 (2008-2009)

Team Highlights:

  • 106 members strong, the largest bike racing team in Greater Cincinnati.
  • 115+ races started in Season 4, a 30% increase over Season 3 starts.
  • Co-sponsorship of Sunflower Revolution and Kingswood Xcross

Season 4 for 7 Hills Racing was highlighted by team members getting to the starting line in 115 events in 10 states and 5 countries (including Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, California, New Jersey, and Europe). 21 new members joined in 2008-09, with membership steady from Season 3 at 106 members. 7HR represented athlete disciplines included road racing, time trial (including Masters Divisions), criterium, cyclocross, tri- and duathlon, endurance racing, mountain bike racing, and a strong touring contingent. The 7HR program of training, racing, community service and social activities resulted in successful events for the team and individuals -- both beginner and experienced racers.

Top-ranked team members statewide included Jeni Roosen (women’s MTB racing); Greg Tombragel, Chester Eng, Tim Thielen and Randal Leung (men’s cat 5 road racing); Anne McDonald (women’s cat 4 road racing); Doug Masraum, (men’s cat 4 road racing); Jim Pappalardo (men’s cat 3 road racing); Chauncey Joyce, Greg Tombragel, Brian Johnson, Frank Mulich, and John Omiatek (men’s cat 5 criterium); Dave Steward (men’s cat 4 criterium); and Mike Abney (men’s cat 4 time trial). Abney ended the 2008-09 season number one in Ohio for TT, was the state champion in Ohio and Indiana State Time Trial races, and runnerup in the Tennessee State Time Trial Race. Abney ended the season 8th in the nation for cat 4 men’s Time Trial. Greg Tombragel ended the season at number one in Ohio for road racing in cat 5, and was 27th nationally. Both were Ohio State Champions in their respec tive disciplines. Mike Otting was the Ohio State Champion for men’s Master’s 45+ cat 3 cyclocross for 2008.

The 7 Hills Racing team started the 2008 season by winning the team Platinum Challenge at the Sunflower Revolution ride for Parkinson’s. The team raised more than any other racing team for the cause. In 2008, the 7HR women’s time trial, and mixed time trial teams won the Queen City Wheels Team Time Trial Individual challenge, and in 2009 the women, Men’s 1 and mixed 1 team won again, with the Men’s 1 Team TimeTrial squad of Mike Abney, Marty McGrory, Jim Wilson and Greg Tombragel working together to cross the line first of 15 regional TTT squads.