Contact:
Joan Thomas
+1-678-999-7989
+1-404-771-5238
For Immediate Release
Stevic Wins USA CRITS Race In Tulsa; Hopkins Leads Series Overall
Atlanta, Ga. (June 1, 2008)-
Current UCI B World Road Race
Champion Ivan Stevic won the third, annual, Tulsa Tough race on Saturday, May
31st, the second event of the 2008 USA CRITS Series. Held in the
picturesque Brady Arts district, the Tulsa Tough has become the second richest
criterium event in the U.S., posting $150,000 in prize money across three days
of racing.
"This is my first race win here with the team in the States, so I feel like
I'm coming back!" Stevic said of his success.
Despite a flash rainstorm that swamped the course earlier in the day, the
Men's pro field raced under ideal conditions on the six-corner, L-shaped
course come early evening. The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team bided their time
before sending what amounted to a team of hit men up the road. By mid-race,
brother's Jonnie and older brother Hilton Clarke went up the road with fellow
Australian Caleb Manion and UCI B World Road Race Champion Stevic and one
rider from the always-aggressive Texas Roadhouse team and another challenger
from Mercy Cycling. With the six-man getaway group firmly established, the
Toyota riders had to heighten the pace in order to keep the hard charging
field away.
"We had to go really hard because the field was 10 to 20 seconds behind for a
long time." Stevic said after his victory. "The course was also very technical
because after you finished the uphill section, you went downhill into the wind
right away, so it was not easy."
The four men from Toyota-United left their breakaway companions behind and
remained unchallenged until the finish. Stevic crossed the line in first place
followed by the younger of the Clarkes and Manion.
Another win for Toyota-United continues to bolster their hopes for securing a
new title sponsor in the coming year.
Jeff Hopkins (Inferno Racing) now holds the overall lead in the USA CRITS
Series by a margin of just 70 points over Seth Hansley (Locos Grill & Pub),
and Yosvany Falcon (TOSHIBA-Santo presented by Herbalife).
On the women's side, perennial favorite Kelly Benjamin brought the women of
the Cheerwine Cycling squad another National Race Calendar victory. Mirroring
the situation in the men's race, Cheerwine rolled to the line with the
strongest team representation and worked throughout to position Benjamin to
take the bunch sprint.
"My problem was Shelley [Olds] waiting outside of me," said Benjamin. "But the
race was pretty much executed by my team. I have to give them all the credit."
Jen McCrae (Advil-Chapstick) recovered from a mid-race wreck to place third on
the day behind Benjamin and Olds (PROMAN/Paradigm).
Benjamin's win now places her atop the overall standing in the 2008 USA CRITS
Series competition ahead of Jennifer Wilson (Vanderkitten Racing), and
teammate Ally Brandt.
The next installment of the 2008 USA CRITS Series takes place on June 15th at
the Harlem Skyscraper Classic in New York City. The event will be carried
live on WCSN.com.
The series will conclude seven races later with the USA CRITS finals in Las
Vegas, Nevada on September 25th and will be held once again in conjunction
with Interbike, the cycling industry's largest trade show.
RESULTS
Pro Men
1. Ivan
Stevic, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
2. Jonny Clarke, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
3. Caleb Manion, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
4. Hilton Clarke, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
5. Henk Vogels, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
6. Chad Burdzilauskas, Texas Roadhouse
7. Jeff Hopkins, Team Inferno Pro Cycling Team
8. Chris Wherry, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
9. Alexi Martinez, SuccessfulLiving.com
10. Chad Cagle, Mercy Cycling
Pro Women
1. Kelly Benjamin, Cheerwine Cycling
2. Shelley Olds, PROMAN/Paradigm
3, Jennifer McRae, Advil-Chapstick
4, Allyson Brandt, Cheerwine Cycling
5, Bri Kovac, Team Revolution
6. Cari Higgins, America's Dairyland
7. Monique Hanley, Team Type 1
8. Jennfier Wilson, Vanderkitten Racing
9. Carrie Cash-Wootten, Team Revolution
10. Melissa Sanborn, Vanderkitten Racing
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.