ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- John Vondracek of Team Kaos/Nebraska Medical Center wrapped up the Quad Cities Cycling Weekend with a 45th-place finish in the Cat. 3 Quad Cities Criterium on Monday. The field was large -- 87 riders -- and the action was tight.

"It was a wild race," Vondracek said. "Lots of diving into corners. I had our average speed at 26.6 mph."

There were a number of crashes, including one that started near Vondracek.

"One of the downed riders actually bounced off my shoulder, and I could hear the carnage in my wake," he said.

With six laps left, Vondracek was part of a short-lived attack. On the straightaway before the final two corners, he tried to make his move.

"But all 72 of the rest of the riders who were still in it had the same idea," Vondracek said. "The announcer was going nuts. It must have been quite a sight seeing 72 riders coming around the final turn sprinting with everything they've got."

Vondracek said fan support was high, with cheering crowds all the way around the course -- even on the parade lap. 

"It made 45th place a little easier to take," he said.