Festival of Speed - NE

Orlando, Florida, USA, March 13-14, 2004

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Stage 2 - March 14: Southport Park Circuit Race, 158.4km

Miami's Hernandez takes home the cake

Report by Skeeler News Service

The second day of Festival of Speed was held near the Orlando International Airport. The criterium venue was smooth, wide open and the waether was summer-like. The morning was dedicated to various age groups and around 12 PM it was time for the Pro-1-2 men to line up. Approximately 133 riders showed up for 158.4km race.

Not too long into the race a break-away pack of about six racers raced against heavy winds to widen the gap. Once every other lap a break away tried to bridge the gap but with 11 laps to go the six had a 41 second lead. With US National champion Keit Norris as part of the lead group, the chasing peloton all along was headed by Norris' team mates, anyone coming by was quickly reeled in. Which was okay with Ivan Franco who was dehydrating and was asking his team manager for water each time he raced by the team pit. "No aqua, no aqua" hollered a disappointed Jorge Castro, JC Team owner, lifting his arms in the air. Franco's team mate Hernandez was also in the pack of six. With 4 laps to go, the wind, the heat and the heavy racing the previous night showed its toll. Approximately 40 riders were left in the race with the peloton all broken in pieces.

Jelly Belly, Healtnet.com, Jittery Joe's (Jessie Lawler), JC and Aerospace.net (Jeff Orr) were all still together and sprinting towards the finish. But with only 500 meters to go it was Miami's strong man Ricardo Hernandez who left everyone eating his dust like he had just started the race.

Results

1 Ricardo Hernandez (JC Team)
2 Corey Steinberger (Jelly Belly)
3 Brice Jones (Health Net)