Contact:
Joan Thomas
+1-678-999-7989
+1-404-771-5238
For Immediate Release: Please Publish
KELLY BENEFIT SCORES IN UPTOWN GREENWOOD PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE
Atlanta, Ga. (May 2, 2008) Kelly Benefit Strategies rider Alex Candelario
negotiated a tricky circuit yesterday in downtown Greenwood, South Carolina
yesterday to win the next installment of the USA CRITS Speed Week series.
Candelario's teammates executed a perfect leadout train that allowed the
Californian rider to harness all the horsepower of his multinational squad
during the final moments of the race.
"The Team rode really well," an elated Candelario said afterwards. "We knew
we'd probably be riding for a field sprint, so we lined up all the boys with
10 laps to go. They did a great job of keepings guys in check. One of the Rock
Racing guys jumped in the final, but Martin Gilbert responded and dropped me
off at 250 meters to go."
The win at the Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling Challenge moves Candelario into
third place in the Men's overall Speed Week standings, while simultaneously
moving the Kelly Benefit Strategies riders into first place in the overall
team rankings.
Because of the technical nature of the course, which included an uphill
finish, the dynamics of the race shifted from what had been seen on the fast,
flat circuits of the previous three events. This, however, played to
Candelario's strengths.
"(The hill) wasn't too much of a factor in the final, but definitely on the
leadout. Guys couldn't come up and mess with our train so much. And I like
sprinting on hills anyway."
After the Team came close with French-Canadian teammate Keven Lacombe at both
the Athens Twilight Criterium and Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic,
Candelario reached the podium himself with a third place finish at the
Downtown Walterboro Criterium. The team's outright victory in Greenwood,
though, was extremely satisfying.
"Every night it's been tough. There are a lot of good guys doing this series.
During the previous nights we've been playing a lot of defense. But more of
our guys were riding better tonight ,and we still had three sprinters left at
the end."
If the final hill didn't figure too greatly in the men's event, the final
hundred meters to the start/finish line cast a greater shadow over the women's
40- lap race.
Over nearly an hour's worth of action, the women's race was a far more
contested outing than the previous Speed Week contests. Whereas the men's race
saw occasional breakaway attempts throughout the evening, that was not the
case with the women's field. More riders were able to keep pace with the field
as a result of the group having to crest the incline on each lap.
With four laps to go, however, the women from Cheerwine put together one of
their textbook leadout trains to dissuade any of their competitors from
effectively contesting their chances at a final sprint. But lying in wait was
the one woman who's dashed the hopes of the women in the cherry red jerseys
"Tina Pic (Colavita/Sutter Home).
Pic knew to keep a sharp eye out for Cheerwine's top two riders, Kelly
Benjamin and longtime rival Laura Van Gilder, and made her move toward victory
after having closely ridden their wheels during the final moments of racing.
Pic also won this event last year.
Pic now has a 57-point lead over her chief competitors in the overall
rankings, but she and her Colavita colleagues still trail behind Cheerwine in
the team standings.
Results - Uptown Greenwood Pro Cycling
Challenge
Pro Men
1. Alex Candelario (US), Kelly Benefit Strategies, 1:30:41.100
2. Jonathan Cantwell (US), Jittery Joe's, +0.700
3. Jake Keough (US), CRCA/Sakonnet Technology, +0.900
4. David Guttenplan (US), TIME, +1.100
5. Jeff Hopkins (US), Team Inferno, +1.100
6. Mark Hekman (US), TOSHIBA-Santo, +1.700
7. Adam Myerson (US), TIME, +1.700
8. Matt Winstead, (US), Rock Racing, +1.700
9. Kyle Gritters (US), Health Net, +2.300
10. Juan Forero, Colombian National Team, +2.300
Pro Women
1. Tina Pic (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, 57:54.800
2. Laura Van Gilder (US), Cheerwine, +0.200
3. Kelly Benjamin (US), Cheerwine, +0.600
4. Shontelle Gauthier (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, +0.900
5. Anna Lang (US), Aaron's Professional Women's, +1.000
6. Nichole Wangsgard (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, +1.500
7. Tiffany Cromwell, (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, +1.600
8. Holli Steelman (US), Juice Plus, +1.800
9. Rebecca Larson (US), Aaron's Professional Women's, +1.800
10. Erica Allar (US), Aaron's Professional Women's, +1.900
USA CRITS Speedweek Overall Leader (Men)
1. Jake Keough (US), CRCA/Sakonnet Technology, 887
2. Kyle Gritters (US), Health Net, 829
3. Alex Candelario (US), Kelly Benefit Strategies, 794
4. Mark Hekman (US), TOSHIBA-Santo, 714
5. Kyle Wamsley (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, 713
6. Sebastian Haedo (Arg), Colavita/Sutter Home, 712
7. Oscar Henao, Clinica Union, 708
8. David Guttenplan (US), TIME, 678
9. Rahsaan Bahati, Rock Racing, 530
10. Jeff Hopkins (Aus), Team Inferno, 661
USA CRITS Speedweek Overall Leader (Women)
1. Tina Pic (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, 976
2. Van Gilder Laura (US), Cheerwine, 919
3. Kelly Benjamin (US), Cheerwine, 917
4. Rebecca Larson (US), Aaron's, 904
5. Shontelle Gauthier (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, 876
6. Anna Lang (US), Aaron's, 875
7. Tiffany Cromwell, (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, 871
8. Catherine Cheatley (NZ), Cheerwine, 804
9. Jennifer Wilson (US), Vanderkitten, 783
10. Holli Steelman (US), Juice Plus, 772
About USA CRITS
USA CRITS National Criterium Series has been developed to feature a brand of cycling unique to the United States, the criterium. Criteriums are historically run on short laps through city streets. They offer spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, world and national champions up-close as they ride at top speed. This has made the criterium format the most spectator-friendly form of cycling entertainment. Events on the USA CRITS series have the ideals that have made criterium racing an American legacy: Challenging courses that showcase arts and entertainment districts; a large and energized base of spectators; broad community support; and strong marketing opportunities for sponsors. For more information visit www.usacrits.com
Thanks Swagger, LLC for the photos
