European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 30, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine far left. Cop i. Stephen unhurt of Peterson fab colo., and Marine a. Al Cocks of Quantico va., Chase a member of the West German team. Below army 1st i. Mark Waite of fort Carson colo., was the first american to finish. Placing against the Odds american  military Competition Story and photos by Jim Derheim staff writer or the e i ii american bicyclists  sunday s  or Mary world championed i in eyeing the 99 Miles Thiol if i pvt an Countryside an de i a  against the Odds a Strong team Irma vol Germany took the top Throe finishing pols m a 13 Lap Raco Nearlene disk Mirtic Bojum  average Speed of 30 Ruri to first to Cross the line. Rai mind Sonnert do so m an impressive 3 hours 24 minutes and 3 seconds. The americans Are outclassed by most of the other Loams said Michael Martens. One. Of two belgian Arm i axons who worked with the team during the Days leading up to the ail military Competition the teams from Llady. Franco Belgium. They spend practically their whole Day training for races they be had six months to prepare for this  Martens said. The americans by contrast have to do their military  first then Tram it s almost impossible Lor them to be at the level of their Competition " one of the two alternates for the learn Cap  Germany echoed Martens sentiments we be been tag Cly r As d team Only since the 6th of september to i in of the other teams have been Lor chef Lor years the have their strategy  they know Nach other s strengths. We re competing in choir sport this is like the europeans coming to America to play in a baseball  but a Ball and Bat costs considerably less than the $1,200 to to .500 the bikers spend Lor a Bike that consists of Only a Frame. Racers customize their machines with special brakes gears and Wircs. Some of the opponents a Ltd using bikes that Cost More than $2.0co ii also taker strategy to win a race. Individual bikers sacrifice the thrill of Victory in order to break wind resistance for members of their team who Are considered the breakaway or Strong finish candidates. Army 1st it Mark Waite of the . Team was credited with being the primary reason hat a group of riders from several Loams who had lagged More than a minute and a half behind had by mid race closed the Gap to just Over 60 seconds. The Throe finishers came out of that second group even though the americans came in ninth of the 10 teams that Limo eci the race they weren t sore losers. To did about As veil As i thought we  said team Leader tech. Sgt. John Egbo s of Zombach members of the West German team celebrate their Victory. From left Otto Manfred secon Raymund Lehnert first and Kal Hundertmark third. A West Germany. Just the thrill of competing against racers from other countries was enough Lor us " this was the second Lime since the first such bicycling event in 1972 that the United states has been among the competitors. Egbers blames the 17-year Gap Between appearances on a Lack of sponsorship irom various military commands. But that has changed in recent years we re very Happy with the support we be received irom our commands he said. Diplomatically this is a major oven Lor the Guys on the  it s also an occasion that Egbers would like to repeal. The ninth military cycling championship will to next september in Holland. This year s learn came from both sides of the Atlantic. Egbers Hopes to assemble Many of the members from this year As Well As More Europe based riders for 1990. Interested military members who Are Cycle racing enthusiasts May Contact Egbers at 063c" 1742 in Sembach. West Germany. The members of the team were Cape. Stephen Bonhart Peterson fab colo., 1st it. Joe Arnone Columbus fab miss., master sgt. Thomas Bain Kelly fab Texas sgt Gregory Strickhausen Span Dahlem a West Germany 1st i. Mark Waite. Fort Carson colo., ensigns Paul Kruszka and Timothy Rennick from los Alamos . And Marine maj. Al Cocks Quantico a. Alternates were Cape. Dan Joder Hahn a. West Germany and spec. Christopher Asquith. Bremerhaven West Germany capt Jeff Stevenson. Fort Ord. Calil. Was assistant coach while Madr John Budinger of Sembach and airman 1st class Richard Rue of ram Stem a West Germany were the medical team. Saturday september 30, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 13