Team SAFE Rules in San Mateo

After a series of solo sprints, Team SAFE's Dan Christman won the top step on the podium Sunday at the Dan Burger 50k Series #3, held in San Mateo, Calif., on July 11, 2004. SAFE's Kim Perkins won the women's field.

The traditionally-vicious wind was a tad lighter than usual, but due to road closures, the slower short course was on the menu -- instead of five 10k laps, each with a mile of flat road, skaters rode up and down seven super-hilly 7k laps.

Team SAFE worked together like a well-oiled machine to cover attacks and keep the other contenders tired. Team SAFE's Dana Eads and Christman alternated attacks and cover as Perkins and Ricky Blas held back the pack filled with top skaters including Herb Gayle and Chris Adams.

After a series of failed breakaway attempts by the lead pack, Bont's Grant Foster finally succeeded at the 25k mark. Foster took off on the last hill before the turn, with Adams and Uel Archuletta giving chase. After watching them tire, Christman attacked in earnest, chasing down first Adams, then Archuletta, within a lap and bringing them back to the pack.

With 15k to go, the tireless Christman again took off after Foster, and surprised him at the turnaround 5k later. The two finished 1:22 ahead of the main pack, with Christman taking the overall win and Foster garnering the Pro Masters title.

In the field sprint, Jenni Armstrong attacked at the bottom of the last hill with about a mile to go. Perkins stayed on her heels and caught her at the top of the hill, passing her in the straightaway for the women's win.

Christman, Perkins and Foster skated on 88mm Cragar wheels and Bont Sniper frames. Christman, Perkins and Eads were also sporting new Bont Vaypor boots.

RESULTS: Crystal Springs Inline Marathon, Dan Burger 50k Series #3, July 11, 2004
 
1. Dan Christman - TEAM SAFE 1:41:18
2. Grant Foster - Bont
(Alan Marcossen - Pyro Apparel - DQ)
3. Kim Perkins - TEAM SAFE
4. Jenni Armstrong - LA Speed
5. Chris Adams - Salt Creek Mortgage
6. Ricky Blas - TEAM SAFE
7. Kimon Papahajopoulos
8. Uel Archuletta
9. Louis Beaudoin - LA Speed
9. Neal Lucey - LA Speed
11. Dana Eads - TEAM SAFE
22. Critter Crittenden - TEAM SAFE
28. Dennis Cummings - TEAM SAFE
35. Tom McCue - TEAM SAFE