National champ finishes second in August bicycle race on base

Dr. Gary Painter, a dentist from Fort Wayne, Ind., poses in his 2019 United States Time Trial Champion (age 60-65) kit before finishing second in the Aug. 13 Blue Streak Time Trial at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Contributed photo/Chuck Smith)

Dr. Gary Painter, a dentist from Fort Wayne, Ind., poses in his 2019 United States Time Trial Champion (age 60-65) kit before finishing second in the Aug. 13 Blue Streak Time Trial at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Contributed photo/Chuck Smith)

Among the 74 bicycling time trial riders participating in the Aug. 13 Blue Streak Time Trial on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was Dr. Gary Painter, a Fort Wayne, Indiana, dentist. Painter leads his Fort Wayne Outfitters team here for each Blue Streak Time Trial.

Painter completed the 10-mile Area A Blue Streak course in 21:16 for a 28.2 mph average.

Last month, Painter won the United States Time Trial Championship for his 60- to 65-year-old age group and plans to compete in the world championships in Poland later this month. Painter is 63 years old.

Painter finished second to winner 34-year-old Josh Bozue of Fairborn, who finished in 20:54 for a 28.7 mph average. The win was Bozue’s 12th consecutive Blue Streak victory.

Some riders were slowed by construction near the route turnaround beyond Bass Lake.

The next Blue Streak Time Trial will take place Sept. 10. Participating riders will gather in the Area A Tennis Club parking lot with their bicycles and helmets between 5 and 5:30 p.m.

Participants are asked to register and obtain numbers at the table set up in the parking lot by 5:30 p.m. Helmets are required. Bicyclists will be released at 30-second intervals to ride the 10-mile course starting at 6 p.m.

The final 2019 Blue Streak Time Trial will take place Oct. 8.

Those without base access must pre-register at least 10 days before each Blue Streak Time Trial by going to the Speedy Feet website at http://www.speedy-feet.com/race-entry.php?id=1472.

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