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Tour of Elk Grove - NE
USA, August 12-13, 2006
Clarke and Heal cash-in at Elk Grove
by Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Elk Grove Village, IL
Clarke's win gives Navigators $50K in 7 days
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The two richest races of the year happened within a week of each other, and Navigators Insurance took the twenty-five thousand dollar top prize at each -- first in Charlotte last weekend with a win by Sean Milne out of a break, and again in Elk Grove with a win out of a break by Aussie Hilton Clarke just ahead of Christian Vande Velde (Team CSC).
"The team this year is just really exciting," said Clarke. "We have really come together and show that even without a superstar rider we can still win the big races."
Clarke and Vande Velde were two of a four rider break that also included Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) and Dave McCook (Jelly Belly). Vande Velde was the most motivated to win as he is from a nearby town and had numerous family members out cheering him on. "I was just giving everything I had, giving it my all," said Vande Velde. "I really wanted to win in front of my home crowd. Hilton was really good in the break, and so was Ivan. McCook just sat on, I don't know why."
The group of four had a comfortable lead that was cut in half late in the race by teams such as Colavita-Sutter Home, KodakGallery-Sierra Nevada and Health Net-Maxxis. "I pulled the last eleven laps, but It's hard with only three guys," said Health Net's Tim Johnson. "Teams just would not commit and it was frustrating because I knew could Gord could get it."
Teams were limited to only fiver riders each due to the narrow roads of the 2.2 mile course. "It is definitely a strange course and dangerous in the bunch."
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Along with Vande Velde, two other ProTour Americans made appearances including CSC teammate Dave Zabriskie and Chris Horner (Davitamon-Lotto). Horner was active on the front all day, but mostly in an effort to stay out of the numerous crashes that at one point resulted in every Mavic neutral service bike out on the course. "There is no way I was going to be in back," said Horner. "I never heard any of the crashes and that was fine with me!"
As the laps counted down, so did the gap to the break, and it looked to be just a matter of time. But the peloton just could not close the door, which was surprising to Horner. "Colavita and Kodak really made a mistake in the last prime sprint by not keeping it rolling through. That would have brought the break back, but they just gapped their two guys off the front instead."
With the disorganization behind, Clarke and Vande Velde decided to drop the other two break riders. "With eight to go our lead was half. I talked to Vande Velde and said, 'Let's drill it and have a go!' If nothing else I would stay out to save my sprinters for a few more laps before the field sprint. From eight to six-to-go I just buried myself."
Stevic and McCook hung on for awhile, but eventually Vande Velde rolled a gap off the front that only Clarke could reach.
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Into the final lap, Vande Velde and Clarke were still rolling through, making sure not to get caught by the field. "It was a little cat-and-mouse, but it's so much money for both first and second and we didn't want to give it away," said Clarke. "Into the last turn we both just kept it rolling to make sure the bunch didn't catch us. I felt I was the faster of the two of us and jumped him at 200 meters."
Bringing in the field was Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis) back up to speed in his last season. "It's been a while since I won a field sprint that wasn't for the win," joked Fraser after the race. "I'm trying to end on a high note, but it's been hard to find the motivation. But third place here really boosts the morale."
With his racing days numbered, Fraser says he is not focusing on wins for himself as he his for his teammates. "I just want to be a contributor to the team -- I don't have a huge desire to go out on a win, especially with the team so capable right now."
But the most capable team of late seems to be Navigators Insurance, with two bug money wins as well as the overall at the Tour de Toona last month and strong performances at the Tour of Utah this week.
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Heal's 'training' nets a win
Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) is ramping up her workouts these days to be focused on the world championships for Great Britain. To that end, she decided to take a solo flyer in today's Tour of Elk Grove. After three laps off the front alone, she returned to the field and proceeded to ride on the front for more 'training.' In the final lap, Heal attacked the field again and held her lead all the way to line to pocket the biggest share of the $6,500 purse - making training pay for itself.
"I'm back in a heavy training phase to get ready for worlds," said Heal. "Parts of the course were pretty windy, but I used my SRM to measure my wattage."
Victory Brewing clearly had the upper hand with the largest team representation today, with only Cheerwine and Aaron's Corprate Furnishings sending full squads. Victory Brewing rode their advantage in a textbook fashion, putting a rider into every move and cleaning up on the primes.
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The team also had multiple options to play into the final lap, with sprinters Brenda Lyons who won the Tour de Toona criterium as well as Laura Yoisten. But team director Mike Tamayo wanted to win in convincing fashion, which meant off the front.
Enter Rachel Heal.
"I went in the last turn," said Heal. "I came from about half-way back so I had a lot of speed and when I heard I had seven seconds on the final stretch I felt confident."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
- Laura Yoisten (Victory Brewing) was ready to sprint for her team today.
- Two Aaron's Corporate Furnishings riders in the field.
- Illinois native Meredith Miller (TEAm Lipton) always seems to race in the midwest solo.
- Victory Brewing had the biggest team representation and therefore was always present on the front.
- Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) puts in a few solo laps, "for training."
- Meredith Miller (TEAm Lipton) rings the cash register on a lap prime.
- Another break with another Victory Brewing rider in on the action.
- 13 was not an unlucky number for Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing).
- Sarah Tillotson (Colavita-Cooking Light) is back home in Chicago.
- Back in the fold - and Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) is back on the front.
- Around the 180 degree turns.
- Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) attacked on the final lap to take the win.
- "Hey, I know you!"
- "Back to crit racing, eh?"
- Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis) is always ready for the camera.
- Tony Cruz (Toyota-United) had a small run-in with a vehicle last month, but is healed enough for racing.
- Christian Vande Velde (CSC) racing back at home, takes the corner.
- Chris Horner's rules for crit racing back in the states #1: Chris says, "Lead through the turns!"
- Reid Mumford (Athletes by Design) takes a flyer for the local folks.
- Chris Horner's rules for crit racing back in the states #2: Chris says, "Get in a break to stay out of the crashes."
- A large field on the narrow boulevards of Elk Grove Village.
- Sprinting for big money primes.
- Chris Horner's rules for crit racing back in the states #3: Chris says, "If nobody wants to start a break to stay out of trouble, start your own!"
- Gord Fraser asks for some clarification.
- Tim Johnson (Health Net-Maxxis) sporting the mountain-man beard.
- Vande Velde opted for the skin suit to help in the breakaway, but forgot to pack the short sleeves.
- Frank Pipp (TargeTraining) leads Horner.
- A joke about fast food would just be too typical.
- The fastest feed zone in the world gave riders extra worries.
- Dan Schmatz (KodakGallery-Sierra Nevada) follows an AEG-Toshiba-JetNetwork rider.
- With a break up the road the speed through the feed zone notched down to just warp 7, allowing a slightly easier hand-up.
- Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United) leads VandChristian vande Velde (Team CSC) and Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance) in the break.
- Back in the field - the teams not making the break begin to worry.
- Vande Velde rolls off the front of the break.
- Stevic and McCook are dropped by Vande Velde and Clarke.
- Vande Velde leads Clarke into the final lap.
- The field in full panic mode - trying to close the gap.
- Hilton Clarke (Navigators Insurance) takes the win ahead of Christian Vande Velde (Team CSC).
- Vande Velde gives props to Clarke on the win.
- Gord Fraser takes the field sprint for third, showing he still has some giddy-up in his final season.
- Christian Vande Velde partakes in a little post-race hazing.
- "It's ok mate, you have $25K to spend on dry cleaning."
Results
USCF Alexian Brothers Men's International Pro Race (Cat 1)
1 Hilton Clarke (Aus) Navigators Insurance 2.08.05
2 Christian Vande Velde (USA) CSC
3 Gord Fraser (Can) Health Net Maxxis
4 Alex Candelario (USA) Jelly Belly
5 Alejanoro Acton (Arg) Targetraining
6 Antonio Cruz (USA) Toyota-United Pro
7 Chris Horner (USA) Davitamon-Lotto
8 Brad Huff (USA) Team TIAA-Cref
9 Steve Tilford (USA) Trek/Shimano
10 Dan Schmatz (USA) Kodakgallery.com/Sie
11 Siro Camponogara (Ita) Navigators Insurance
12 Tommy Nankervis (USA) Priority Health
13 Jonathan Page (USA) Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home
14 Rahsaan Bahati (USA) Team TIAA-Cref
15 Alberto Tiberio (Swi) Health Net Maxxis
16 Vassili Davidenko (USA) Navigators Insurance
17 Frank Travieso (Cub) AEG-Toshiba-JetNet
18 Emile Abraham (Tri) AEG-Toshiba-JetNet
19 Jeff Hopkins (USA) Jittery Joes
20 Kayle Leogrande (USA) Kahala La Grange
21 Oleg Grishkin (Rus) Navigators Insurance
22 Todd Henriksen (USA) VMG Racing
23 Rudy Robaina (USA) VMG Racing
24 Ivan Stevic (USA) Toyota-United Pro
25 Dan Holt (USA) Nerac\Outdoorlights.com
26 Adam Myerson (USA) Nerac\Outdoorlights.com
27 Zach Bell (Can) Rite Aid Pro Cycling
28 Paul Martin (USA) Texas Roadhouse
29 Martin Gilbert (Can) Kodakgallery.com/Sie
30 Reid Mumford (USA) ABD Cycling Team
31 Johnson Kenneth (USA) Rockville
32 Shawn Milne (USA) Navigators Insurance
33 Gustavo Artacho (Arg) Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home
34 Bryan Smith (USA) Team TIAA-Cref
35 Bobby Lea (USA) Toyota-United Pro
36 Frank Pipp (USA) Targetraining
37 Mark Hekman (USA) Abercrombie and Fitch
38 Viktor Laza SER Serbian National Team
39 Daniel Holloway (USA) PICat
40 Jackson Stewart (USA) Kodakgallery.com/Sie
41 Jeffery Schroetlin (USA) Mesa Cycles Racing
42 Chad Nikolz (USA) Broad Mark / Hagens
43 Rich Harper (USA) Abercrombie and Fitch
44 Jaime Gandara (USA) Richardson Bikemart
45 David Gutlenplan (USA) Subaru Cycling Team
46 Stephen Spencer (USA) Mesa Cycles Racing
47 Ben Raby (USA) Sram
48 Paul Ellis (USA) Bianchi/Grand
49 Frank Dierking (USA) ABD Cycling Team
50 Mark Mccormack (USA) Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home
51 Ryan Mckenzie (Can) Volkwagen/Trek
52 Jonny Sundt (USA) Priority Health
53 Dustin Macburme (Can) Targetraining
54 Nebojsa Jovanovic (SCG) AEG-Toshiba-JetNet
55 Kevin Attkisson (USA) Texas Roadhouse
56 Shawn Willard (USA) Wheel and Sprocket
57 Michael Kehberg (USA) DogFish Cycling
58 Wes Hartman (USA) Targetraining
59 Morten Christiansen (Den) Glud & Marstrand
60 Troy Wells (USA) Team TIAA-Cref
61 Robbie King (USA) Priority Health
62 Derek Witte (USA) WMCR
63 Proki Predra (Slo) Slovenia
64 Jared Facizsewski (USA) VMG Racing
65 Hayden Godfrey (NZl) Monex
66 Charles Crouse (USA) DogFish Cycling
67 Ryan Dewald (USA) Rite Aid Pro Cycling
68 Mike Ebert (USA) ABD Cycling Team
69 Yosvani Falcon (Cub) AEG-Toshiba-JetNet
70 Jacob Nielsen (Den) Glud & Marstrand
71 Rob Kelley (USA) Training Bible
72 Glenn Fant (USA) Monex
73 David Sachs (USA) Vision Quest
74 Todd Yezefski (USA) Nerac\Outdoorlights.com
75 Tyler Wren (Blr) Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home
76 Andrew Crater (USA) Wheel and Sprocket
77 Joshua Carter (USA) Mesa Cycles Racing
78 Bill Elliston (USA) Targetraining
79 Davide Frattini (Ita) Colavita Olive Oil - Sutter Home
Hot Sprint Winner
1 Brad Huff (USA) Team TIAA Cref
Pro Women Cat 1/2/3
1 Rachel Heal (GBr) 1.32.11
2 Mackenzie Dickey (USA) Aaron's Corp.
3 Christina Dekraay (USA) TEAM FUJI/ Bolt
4 Brenda Lyons (USA)
5 Natalie Klemko (USA) America's Dairyland
6 Brooke O'connor (USA) Hub Racing
7 Shannon Hutchinson-Krupat (USA) Aaron's Corp Furn
8 Meredith Miller (USA) TEAm Lipton
9 Laura Yoisten (Can)
10 Kacy Mandafield (USA) Wolverine
11 Courtenay Brown (USA) McGuire Cycling
12 Clara Beard (USA) Cheerwine
13 Bri Kovac (USA) Texas Roadhouse
14 Mathilde Hupin Debeurme (USA) Sportif Bromont-Pearl
15 Kelly Benjamin (USA) Cheerwine
16 Laura Charameda (USA) McGuire Cycling
17 Andrea Meyers (USA) Kenda Tire
18 Anne Meyer (USA) Mercy Specialized
19 Debbie Dust (USA) Team Kenda Tire
20 Sarah Tillotson (USA) Colavita/Cooking
21 Sheba Farrin (USA) Hub Racing
22 Kate Sherwin (USA)
23 Sherri Stedje (USA) BBC
24 Kristin Sanders (USA) Cheerwine
25 June Upshaw (USA) Kenda Tire
26 Laura Bowles (USA)
27 Lauren Frangles (USA)
28 Sarah Uhl (USA) Serotta/Home Depot
29 Chrissy Ruiter (USA)
30 Catherine Walberg (USA) Team Kenda Tire
31 Jessica Cole (USA) C-U Racing
32 Sharon Monahan (USA) Best of the Bay Cyclist
33 Kathryn Clark (USA) TEAM FUJI/ Bolt
34 Candice Blickem (USA) Aaron's Corp.
35 Catherine Powers (USA) Aaron's Corp.
Men Cat 3
1 Mike Sherer (Pony Shop)
2 Casey Masterson (Velo Trocadero)
3 Andrew Daley (Team Clif Bar Midwest)
Men Cat 2
1 Robert White (PCW Cycling)
2 Dave Stone (Delta/Indy Velo)
3 John Meyers (Turin Bicycle)
Men Cat 4
1 Edward Amstulz (XXX Athletics)
2 David Berger (Vision Quest)
3 Ansgar Graw (XXX Racing/Athletico Chicago)
Junior, 12-14
1 Mike James (Nova Iscorp)
2 James Bird (Smart Cycling)
3 Jessica Prinmer (Athletes By Design)
Junior Men, 15-18
1 Adam Kosela (Nova FS Corp)
2 Aloo Bolden (Dekalb)
3 Miwest Novak Matt Clif Bar (South Holland)
Men Cat 5
1 Reed Oliff (LOT POLISH)
2 Jeff Holland (XXX Racing -)
3 Craig Hansen (Alberto's Sport)
