South Carolina Heritage Series - NE

USA, April 29-May 2

Main Page Results Next Race

Race 1 - April 29: Anderson criterium, 50 miles

Rapinski Adds to Saturn's season of success

By Kristy Scymgeour

Team Saturn dominated the first race of the South Carolina Heritage Series tonight in Anderson when they attacked almost immediately from the gun. It was Trent Klasna who began the onslaught when he attacked to get a gap on the field. There was no desperate chase to bring him back, however he was caught after five laps and a counter attack move resulted in a leading trio gaining a quick 22 seconds on the field. In the group was Viktor Rapinski (Saturn), Danny Pate (Prime Alliance) and Roberto Gaggioli (Monex). The break worked hard and kept the distance from all but one rider from the peloton. Chris Horner, fresh off his impressive win at the first Tour de Georgia last week attacked the bunch and bridged solo to the break. And then there were four.

By the 40km mark, midway through the race, this small group had successfully lapped the field and for a while the pace steadied a little. With 20km to go the attacks started again, and eventually it was Klasna who had another gap on the field. Horner, in an attempt to get an advantage on the other members of his earlier break, attacked, but took another nine riders with him including Pate, Gaggioli and Rapinski. The group of nine caught Klasna and formed the break that would remain away until the end of the race.

Five laps from the finish line, Rapinski couldn't contain himself any longer; he attacked the small group taking Pate with him. The two stayed away and it was "The Moose from Belarus", Rapinski, who was too fast for Pate as he took the first of four races that make up the Heritage Series. Behind, Gaggioli held off Horner for third place.

Due to poor lighting conditions at the finish line, there have been some disputes over the minor placings of tonight's race. The race officials will be working well into the night to sort out the official results.

Tomorrow's race will be contested over a 1.5km circuit in Walterboro, another section of historic Heritage Corridor, and like all races in this series, will cover 80km.

Photography

Images by Bill Parsons/North Chattanooga Cycle Club

Trent Klasna (Saturn) laughing before the start
Chris Horner and Trent Klasna (Saturn) discuss world domination before the start
Kenny Labbé (USPS) before the start
Marty Nothstein (Navigators) on the start line
Jeff Hopkins (Jittery Joe's) looks in need of a double espresso to get him going
Trent Klasna (Saturn) and Antonio Cruz (USPS) "Hey Tony, about how many days do you think it would take the Postal Service to deliver tonight's winning check?"
Roberto Gaggioli (Team Monex) looking thoughtful before the race
The pre-race presentation of the Colors
Jeff Hopkins (Jittery Joe's) follows a Schroeder Iron rider
Trent Klasna (Saturn) was an early escapee
Trent Klasna tried to escape but was caught
The front can be a worrying place to be.
You can't miss those shades, even deep in the pack
The winning break forms: Viktor Rapinski (Saturn) leads Danny Pate (Prime Alliance)
Lead break: Danny Pate leads Roberto Gaggioli, and Viktor Rapinski
Antonio Cruz (USPS) leads the charge to catch the break while Saturn blocks.
The lead break: Rapinski leads Pate and Gaggioli
A Sierra Nevada rider leads Subaru Fairway' Chris Harkey.
The field takes one of the course's numerous turns
Schroeder Iron and Saturn at the front of the chase group.
Masters 45+ National Criterium Champion Randy Parker (Mercy Fitness)
Chris Horner (Saturn) joins the lead break that will lap the field. Horner, Rapinski, Pate, Gaggioli.
Chris Horner leads the break
Ivan Dominguez (Saturn)
Schroeder Iron didn't have the best race with no top 20 finishers
Antonio Cruz - the popular US Postal rider was active all race
The front of the lead break was all Saturn all the time.
The field strings out single file
Travis Hutchinson (Krystal) all the way forward with the effort,
Antonio Cruz (USPS) finds himself closely marked by a Saturn rider.
Roberto Gaggioli (Monex) leads Chris Horner (Saturn) after the lead break laps the field.
Travis Hutchinson (Krystal) leads a two rider break for 11th place with just a few laps to go.
The field closes in on the break for 11th place.
Evergreen Roberto Gaggioli (Monex) looks pretty happy to have finished 3rd.
Chris Horner (Saturn) finished 4th after pulling the break for much of the race.
Winner Viktor Rapinski (Saturn) answers a question.
Danny Pate (Prime Alliance) on the podium after taking 2nd place.

Results

1 Viktor Rapinski (Blr) Saturn
2 Danny Pate (USA) Prime Alliance
3 Roberto Gaggioli (Ita) Monex
4 Chris Horner (USA) Saturn
5 Jackson Stewart (USA) Ofoto-Lombardi Sports
6 Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn
7 Ivan Dominguez (Cub) Saturn
8 Jason Waddell (USA) Mathis Brothers
9 James Taylor (USA) OLP Racing
10 Alex Candelario (USA) Prime Alliance
11 Chris Harkey (USA) Fairway Subaru/Cyfac
12 Todd Littlehales (USA) Sierra Nevada/Cliff Bar
13 Robbie Ventura (USA) US Postal
14 Juan Jose Haedo (Arg) Colavita Bolla
15 Brent Dawson (Aus) Jelly Belly
16 Nieko Biskner (USA) Sierra Nevada/Cliff Bar
17 John Murphy (USA) Krystal
18 Ryan Guay (USA) Navigators
19 Adam Myerson (USA) Sportsbook.com
20 Radisha Cubric (USA) Team Easton