I'm literally number 2...still

Moraniec climbs to win Burlington native claims victory in Cobble Climb. By GARY HADENFELDTsports@thehawkeye.comAfter falling just 3.2 seconds short of overall victory last year, Burlington native Dominic Moraniec claimed the top prize in this year's running of the Cobble Climb event at Saturday's Snake Alley Criterium.Moraniec pedaled up the two-block stretch of Cobblestone Alley -- the initial block of brick and the final block of rough cobblestones -- in 38.98 seconds, which was 1.98 seconds faster than overall runner-up Matt Brakeville.Moraniec unseated two-time defending champion and three-time winner Dennis Grelk of Donnellson. Grelk's bid for a third straight overall title was dealt a blow by mechanical failure. Grelk had his chain snap just 20 feet from the finish line at the top of the alley.Brian Abbott exhibited the true spirit of the event, his dogged determination carrying him to a third-place finish. Abbott, a last-minute entrant, competed in jeans and a T-shirt and rode his road bike. Finding the going tough on skinny tires, he ended up carrying his mount and running up the final portion of the hill.