Doucette and Grass win race, White inspirational in finish

    FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — With rain causing a lower-than-normal turnout for Sunday’s Spud Cycle Classic bike race, one rider’s courageous effort did not go unnoticed.
Kathleen White took off with the 28 other cyclists on her recumbent trike and despite riding in what at times was a downpour through some stretches, did not quit on the 25-mile course. The 23-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, came across the finish line in 2 hours, 57 minutes and 35 seconds.
“She rode her trike around the full course with deliberate speed, refusing to abandon even in the pouring rain,” said race director Peter Forbes, who noted a few individuals stuck around and greeted her at the finish.
Roger Doucette of Bangor was the overall winner, attacking on the final hill and staying away on the descent until the finish line for a time of 1:00:35. He was seven seconds faster than the runner-up, Stanley MacArthur of Caribou, and 21 seconds faster than a five-rider pack headed up by Christopher Morse of Presque Isle.
Only three female cyclists signed up, with Jessica Grass of Blaine recording the fastest time in 1:29:48.
Age divisions winners were: male 13-15, Taylor Schwartz of Manchester, 1:12:49; male 16-29: first, MacArthur; second, Brendan McLaughlin of Fort Fairfield, 1:00:56; female 16-29, White; male 30-39: first, Morse; second, Thad LaVallee of Sharon Heights, Mass., 1:00:56; male 40-49: first, Gregg Collins of Caribou, 1:00:56; second, Jim Wohlgemuth of Old Town, 1:04:41; female 40-49: Jenny Hallett of Caribou, 1:42:41: male 50-59: first, Stephen Higgins of Presque Isle, 1:07:32; second, Aaron Churchill of Orland, 1:15:58; male 60-69: first, Marcel Bastide of Orrington, 1:07:31; second, Rocky Freeman of Rangeley, 1:10:03.
Kids bike races were also held that day. Zechariah Morse won the boys’ 7-and-under division, with Cassidy Coiley taking the girls’ race. In the ages 8-10 category, Dane Kingsbury was the boys winner and Emily Bourgoine was first for girls. For ages 11-12,  Kaleb Corriveau and Jordann Coiley were first for boys and girls, respectively.