US Open Cycling Championships - Encore
Return to 2007 for the US Open Cycling Championships, an immediate classic the
race was fought out under epic conditions in a blizzard - broadcast live on
national TV it reached the largest one day audience in US cycling history for a
domestic race.
The 2007 history was made with the birth of an American classic that rivaled
the historic classics of Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders. On a parcours
complete with cobbled climbs and epic weather that included wind and snow; it
challenged the best from and international assembly of pro teams as part of the
UCI Tour of the Americas. It was an auspicious beginning for a new race and
highly welcomed by USA fans who gathered in front of their TV's to watch.
The race was shown live on NBC - network TV over a 2.5 hours show.
Today we reprise our race coverage with photos (below) with some comments from
Richard Durishin Executive Director of the US Open Cycling Foundation.
Dick how successful was the 2007 Race?
DD: The inaugural race was an astounding success for Professional Cycling in
America. Over 1.5 million viewers in over 600,000 US Homes watched it. At the
time it was the most viewers ever for a Pro Cycling event in the US, save for
the day Lance rode down the Champs Elysees after his sixth victory.
Unfortunately, between all of the parties involved, we just couldn't work out a
date for 2008 in Richmond.
Any chance we will see a return of the race in 2010?
We have a date with the UCI and USACycling for 2010 and a planned course, here
in Rhode Island, that takes in the dramatic beauty of the coastline and the
historic grandeur of our capital city, Providence. Of course, John Eustice will
direct the race and Kent Gordis will produce the broadcast. Working with those
two guarantees that we'll have an exciting race and an event that is attractive
to an American SPORTS audience.
Is there a date set for this year?
The date is May 8th, pending we have the
sponsors lined up. Currently we are speaking with and searching for more
sponsors. Any interested sponsors can contact me on my mobile - 619.307.1749 or
contact me by email.
Tells us some about the U.S.Open of Cycling
Foundation...
The race - renamed the U.S. Open of Cycling - is more than just a one-day pro
event. It is the inspiration component in the U.S. Open Cycling Foundation's
Cycle-for-Health campaign for 2010. The Foundation's mission is to inspire
people to incorporate cycling into their activities of daily living for the
benefit of their health and the health of the environment. We teach
Cycle-for-Health courses in elementary schools and share the road courses for
bicycle commuters in places of work.
We also are producing multiple fun rides in Rhode Island and operate cyclist
support kiosks in Rhode Island's bike paths. Since 2008, the foundation has
engaged well over 25,000 people throughout Southern New England and we have been
honored by grants from Bikes Belong and an award from the League of American
Bicyclists. All of the events on our calendar for 2010 promote the U.S. Open of
Cycling as the sharp end of a sport that nearly everyone has done and can
do...so that's part of building a local audience.
For more information on the race and foundation go to:
http://www.usopencycling.org/
There is also a short race video on the site that is well worth viewing.
And now, we present the encore report of the 2007 U.S.
Open of Cycling...
Oh Canada!!
More than the arctic winds swept into the south from Canada causing the
riders to start in a 18 degree weather with wind driven snow buffeting the
peloton intermittently for the first 65 miles of the 112 mile classic race
from Colonial Williamsburg to Richmond, Virginia.
The other Canadian element that swept into the capital of Virginia was
Canadian Svein Tuft of Team Symmetrics who won the inaugural U.S. Open
Cycling Championships in a last lap solo effort leaving his break mate,
Slipstream's Pat McCarty on the last of the eight circuits on the cobbled
climb of Libby Hill.
Victory Svein Tuft! Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
An exhausted McCarty who attacked with four circuits to go, held off the
challenge of the survivors of the wind and snow for second place.
Alejandro Borrajo of Argentina (Rite Aid) led Britain's Russell Downing
(Health Net/Maxxis) finishing in third and fourth respectively; with Tuft's
team mate and fellow countryman Andrew Pinfold fifth. An international
podium of riders resulted with 7 of the top ten finishers from outside the
USA; altough five of those are on USA teams demonstrating how
international the American peloton has become in the last ten years.
Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada arrive to prepare for the race.
Photo c. Love2ride
An Epic Start
It proved to be an epic day from the morning when the riders woke up to wind
and
fresh snowfall as they went to the team vans to prepare for the race.
The race was very close to not being run at all as you can see by the photos
of the start that the
conditions were horrendous. Luckily they improved dramatically as the
day went on. The team managers told the UCI officials that their racers felt
conditions were unsafe. The UCI said they'd let the racers decide.
Of course "live" TV coverage was the deciding factor. The teams and the
racers couldn't pass up the opportunity for the exposure of a nationally
televised race. The race was postponed for 90 minutes because the NBC
helicopters couldn't fly in the fast moving blizzard conditions.
Peloton leaves from Williamsburg with the snow still falling.
Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
U. S. Open Cycling Championships Competition Director Ravi Rajcoomar gave
the order to start the race at 9:30 am and the 150-man field raced away from
Williamsburg, past Jamestown and the James River Plantations towards
Richmond with its eight, 5.5 mile finishing circuits.
Mike Sayers- BMC, Tim Duggan- Chipolte lead the peloton through the snow
covered early miles. Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
Slogging through the wind and snowfall the the first sixty or so miles
with few riders willing to put their face in the wind and leave whatever
comfort and warmth the peloton provided. That didn't deter some from
attempting an escape, those that did soon thought better of it as they measured
the effort, were chased down by the pack or tried waiting... hoping a few riders to join
them in the gambit; but none did.
The speed of the peloton was cracking along in spite of the conditions,
setting a fast pace that would show in the in the riders faces and legs in
latter hours of the race.
Johnny
Sundt (Kelly Benefit) and Ivan Stevic (Toyota) lead the field scenic roads of
Virginia as the sun starts to break through. Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
With 50 miles to go Jonny Sundt (Kelly Benefit), Eric Boilly (Valee
Aluminum) and Christian Valenzuela (Successful Living.com) put their heads
to the wind and got a 15 second gap on the peloton. The snow and wind
buffeted the riders with the chase reduced to riders fighting to get into an
echelon as the storm released its last fury.
Seven miles from Richmond the skies quit raining wrath down on the break
and the city was revealed in the distance bathed in sunlight. The trio
seemed inspired by the sight and continued to work well together, but with
improving weather the peloton quickly organized a chase for the trio. The
bunch
soon had the three in their sights as they started the first trip up the cobbled Libby
Hill and the final eight circuits.
The peloton enters the circuit with the first run up the cobbled Libby Hill.
Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
Sundt was first to the top of Libby, the peloton shattered on the climb behind the
trio. At the top the chase was led by Symmetric's Dominque Rollins as the
peloton strung out through the streets of Richmond and passed the finish for
the first of the remaining eight circuits. The trio were finally caught
3 kilometers later. Not long after, Serbian Dusan Ganic (SuccessfulLiving.com) attacked and got a gap. Brought back in
due course, Dusan replied with another determined attack, Jonathan Mumford (Kelly
Benefit) bridged to Ganic and the chase was on; but not for long. The duo
were brought back as the Libby hill loomed ahead.
Ladino Vega attacks Photo ©
2010 Kurt Jambretz/Action Images
Tecos rider Columbian Gregorio Ladino Vega attacked on Libby Hill, Navigator's Phil Zajicek
respondes as Ladino opened up a gap of 19 seconds..
The day was starting to bite
the riders; this time up Libby hill the peloton stretches and snaps. Serbian
road champion Ivan Stevic (Navigators Insurance) attacked the head of the
lead group, 13 riders joined the chase with the rest of the peloton stretched
out in the distance behind.
Ladino Vega defied the peloton for ten miles gaining a max 20 seconds
getting his Teco's team some valuable TV time as the peloton regrouped
behind him.
With the Navigator and Health Net led peloton on his heels, Ladino Vega started the cobbled climb (Libbyberg
as our Belgian friends might name it...), Navigator's Phil Zajicek, led Kirk O'Bee (Health Net) and Ivan Stevic
(Toyota/United Pro) in the chase. But after 2 laps in the wind the catch was
made and Ladino Vega was reeled in as the riders reached Main street.
This last time up the Richmond berg broke the peloton's back - at the top of the climb it
was shattered into three groups. The lead
group looked like it would rather wait for the rest of its team mates than
chase an escape again. But the action at the front never stopped.
Next to attack is another Successful Living rider, Italian Alessandro Bazzana
who distinguished himslef with two victories in teh *23 Giro d'Itaia.
Bazzana opened a gap, but Alessandro was closed down. No problem for the Italian, he
attacked again. Toyota/United's Henk Vogels the Aussie Iron man and Shawn Milne
of Health Net bridge to the Italian, the trio work well together; but in
short order both abandon the effort leaving Bazzana to fight alone.
Bazzana put in one hell of an effort to make good his escape, until he is
eventually gathered up by the peloton. A brave effort but ill fated effort.
Bazzana and Vogels
Alessandro Bazzano (Successful Living) leads one more attack as he winces
over the cobbles on Cary Street Shawn Milne (Health Net), and Henk Vogels
(Toyota United) in tow.
photo c. love2ride
Back to steeps of Libby berg with just over 20 miles to go and Slipstream's Pat
McCarty gives the peloton the slip on the final part of the climb, this time
it looks like the final blow has been dealt to the peloton as it arrives at
the top of the climb with three chasing groups of six to ten riders, none
able to close the gap after the climb. McCarty expands his gap to 25 seconds but a
small group
of survivors give chase led by Svein Tuft the principals include, Tim Johnson, Ivan
Dominguez, Jackson Stewart, Kobzarenko, and Trent Wilson. Behind there
is mayhem with groups on the chase but losing ground...
Pat McCarty on his first trip up the Richmond Libbyberg.
© Kurt Jambretz/Action
Images
4 miles later the gap comes down to 15 seconds and Tuft attacks and
bridges to McCarty. The Canadian and American work well together while the teams behind
falter. Tuft leads McCarty over the berg each lap.
The other teams, seem to wait for more support in hopes of catching the
duo in the closing kilometers and setting up their sprinters. A good
strategy any other day, but today it turned out to be a tactical gamble as
Tuft and McCarty sailed on at the front with no sign of weakening.
Two laps to go Tuft and McCarty driving it hard.
© Kurt Jambretz/Action
Images
The Slipstream and Symmetrics duo stretch their lead to a minute. Last time up Liberty Hill the duo led by 48 seconds as the lead
chase group grew from 7 to 22 riders, the group shows some semblance of
organization with Health Net's Vogel, sharing the chase with Toyota/United's
Wherry and Stevic.
Tuft and McCarty in the gutter on Libby Hill.
© Kurt Jambretz/Action
Images
Svein Tuft attacked on the final trip up the cobbles on Libby Hill big
gearing the climb in the gutter, gaining 10 seconds on McCarty by the top.
Over the top
the gap was closed to 37 seconds by the lead chase group. It did nothing to
deter McCarty and Tuft on their mission to evade capture before the finish.
Behind the duo Health Net's Downing attacked the break, Argentine
Alejandro Borrajo of Rite Aid responded, but it was too late the Canadian
had crossed the finish line.
Tuft powered on with a struggling but defiant McCarty behind him to
finish 41 seconds ahead of McCarty who held off the charge behind him by
inches as Argentine, Alejandro Borrajo sprinted for third place and Brit Russell Downing
finishing on his wheel in fourth just off the podium.
Tuft the recent Tour of Cuba winner may have taken his best career win to
date. Svein started his pro career for John Worden's Merury/Viatel outfit as
a stagiare and went on to join Kirk Willet and Chris Horner on the Prime
Alliance team during the 90's. He later joined the Canadian Symmetrics squad in
2004, one of the few North American teams that competes on both continents
in the UCI America Tour.
Podium: Alejandro Borrajo, Svein Tuft and Pat McCarty.
© Kurt Jambretz/Action
Images
Results Top Ten:
1 151 Tuft Svein Symmetrics 4:19:10
2 26 Mccarty Pat Team Slipstream Powered By Chipotle 0:00:41
3 141 Borrajo Alejandro Rite Aid 0:00:41
4 8 Downing Russell Health Net P/B Maxxis 0:00:41
5 154 Pinfold Andrew Symmetrics 0:00:47
6 174 Parra Celada John Fredy Tecos 0:00:58
7 91 Wilson Trent Jittery Joe's 0:00:58
8 16 Rapinski Viktor Navigators Insurance 0:00:58
9 82 Candelario Alex Jelly Belly 0:00:58
10 14 Kobzarenko Valeriy Navigators Insurance 0:00:58
US
Open Cycling Championships Results & Photos
What a race! Who could have predicted that the tour of Flanders would be
blessed with sunny skies this weekend while usually sunny Virginia would be
dealt a wild card blizzard for Easter morning by mother nature?
A quick look at the statistics show it was not only a tough race fought
under extreme and epic conditions; but a fast race as well. Tuft
finished the 112 miles in just over 4 hours. There were 86 abandons out of
141 starters, very similar to the results in Flanders the following day.
Kudos to race director John Eustice and the State of Virginia for a well
organized race with an international cast of riders, and pulling it off in
spite of the unfavorable weather conditions. I think we have a new Spring
Classic and UCI Tour of the Americas event; and a new major USA race for the
future. We could use a lot more one day races of "classic" stature along
with live Network TV coverage on the USA Pro Calendar... If you are interested
in sponsorship for the race this year contact Richard Durishin through the links
above.
US
Open Cycling Championships - Start List
US
Open Cycling Championships - Pre Race Comments
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