Wenham Man Wins National Cycling Championship

By Robert Gates

A Wenham man won a National Cycling Championship last weekend in Redmond, Wash.

Dean Phillip, a co-owner of Fit Werx in Peabody, took first in the 35-39 age group division at the 2014 Masters Track National Championships in the 3K Individual Pursuit.

Additionally, Phillips brought home the Stars and Stripes Cycling Jersey because he had the fastest time for all age groups competing with a time of 3:38.

The race was held on Aug. 23.

“I was in the first heat paired with another rider on the opposite side of the velodrome,” Phillips said in an announcement about the win. “As I passed the ‘two laps to go’ sign, I made a conscious effort to start pushing the pace as hard as I could knowing there was less than a minute to go. It was a huge relief on so many levels to be done with it and have a great time.”

In the final heat, a rider matched Phillips’ time through the first and second kilometer, but faded during the final kilometer, finishing 4 seconds behind Phillips, making him the National Champion.

Phillips and Hamilton resident Marty Miserandino own Fit Werz, which is 2013 was recognized as the Best Bike Shop in America by the Active Times.