Mantia adds lightning to the storm at the Luigino Chicagoland Inline Tour 2011

This past weekend might have called for rain in Hoffman Estates, IL, ground zero to the Luigino Chicagoland Inline Marathon (U.S’s 2nd largest skate marathon) but for one skater come rain or shine had perfect race outcomes, which consisted of 3 stages (10K, 2 mile solo time trial & a full marathon) in that order spread over 2 days with only the full marathon on day 2 (Sunday, Aug 24th). That skater was none other than ATOM Wheel’s Joey Mantia who’s near flawless competitive season secured another overall win to his 2011 race roster, while adding another question mark to the most asked question this season, “Who can crush this guy this year?”

That answer wouldn’t come at the Chicago Inline Tour as Mantia took control on day one by winning the prime laps & then out sprinting the field in the 10K as he wound up his speed with 400m remaining and never looked back for the win. A few hours later, the sun gods attempted to shine some well needed sun over the damp “technical” course for the 2 mile solo time trial which would stagger & start each skater 30 seconds apart, based on the reverse order of the 10K finish. Mantia would go last based on that order & also catch the skater 30 seconds directly ahead of him on MPC wheels. This gave Mantia his 2nd win of the day & a great position overall before the next day’s full marathon.

The sun gods wouldn’t be so kind on that day they were needed the most which was Sunday, July 24th @ 9:45 a.m. when the rain although drizzling all morning seemed to cease for just a few hours but kept the course plenty wet for all skate groups. Mantia felt unstoppable on the all-new ATOM IQ MATRIX wheels as he went from the gun pulling Bont’s Stelly (Bont Kinetic wheels) & Julian Riveria (MPC Road War wheels) with him. The 3 remained together for the first 2 or 3 miles but it was soon apparent that Mantia’s pulls combined with his grip & roll were too much for anyone in the field to maintain those speeds that early in a marathon. Stelly & Riveria quickly returned to the main peloton and left Mantia out front on his own for the remainder of the 23 miles left in the marathon. His lead accelerated just under 5 minutes ahead of the main peloton at the finish crowing him the overall winner & once again the man to beat in 2011.

Mantia stated after the event “I felt good out there, the wheels were fast, the pack let me get away and although I had to skate alone for most of it I felt good”. Indeed he did and his timing might just be great as the U.S world team trials are 2 weeks away in Colorado, Springs and then off to Korea for the inline world games at the end of August where the 28 time world champion is poised to do well while representing the U.S & Atom Wheels!