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Results and Reports for July 13-19, 2002

USA

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17th Annual North Jersey Cycling Classic

July 15, 2002

Davidenko Pays for Mistake as Hamblen Takes Win

Jon Hamblen with the New England-based Wheelworks-Cannondale team was a first time winner at the 17th edition of the North Jersey Cycling Classic. Hamblen defeated returning first time winner and course record holder, Vassili Davidenko and First Union USPRO Champion Mark Walters of the Navigator Professional Cycling Team. Davidenko was a heavy favorite to win this year's race and take home the $1,000 cash bonus for breaking the record he set last year at 47 min. 30 sec.

However, things did not go as planned for Davidenko. The 'Russian Rocket' attacked early on lap four at the base of the 20 percent grade ascent known as "THE WALL." He was soon joined by Sean Milne of Wheelworks-Cannondale who slowly brought back the breakaway.

It soon became obvious that the Davidenko's surge was beginning to fizzle. "I left early with about twenty one laps to go and then I started to realize I could not go anymore," says Davidenko. "It was my goal to break the record but I left to early. I made a mistake."

Hamblen bridged the gap and caught Davidenko on the crest of "THE WALL" on lap 10. "I think he went a little early," Hamblen commented on Davidenko's early break off the front. "I saw him and could see that he was suffering. I knew he was really hurting and I started to sticking it to him on the hill every time and try to make him hurt."

With about four laps to go Hamblen dropped Davidenko on 'THE WALL.' "I saw one of my teammates up the road in the break," said Hamblen. "So I just attacked the field on the hill. Luckily he hesitated and I went straight across." Hamblen crossed the finish line at 49 min. 17 sec.'s. No record.

Will Hamblen be back next year? "Oh definitely, I can't say I will do well again. You have to have a really good day on this course. That hill is just plain brutal."

Results

Pros 1-2 - 25 laps

1 Jon Hamblen  (Wheelworks/Cannondale)
2 Vassili Davidenko  (Navigators)
3 Mike Jones  (Wheelworks/Cannondale)
4 Peter Rogers (Nova Cycling)
5 Mark Walters  (Navigators)
6 Graeme Miller (Mercury)
7 Peter La Pinto  (Lombardi Cycling)
8 Jon Page (Wheelworks/Cannondale)
9 Shawn McCormack (Volkswagen Trek)
10 Nat Franklin (Kissena Cycling)
 
Cats 3-4-Jrs Ð 12 laps
 
1 Matthew Crane (Kissena Cycling)
2 Waclaw Godycki (CRCA Kapland)
3 Jason Bremer (CRCA Kapland)
4 Zach Soucy (Team Red Hook)
5 Robert Rehm (Monroe Cycling)
 
Cat 5 Ð 8 laps 
 
1 Mike Gisler (Westwood Velo)
2 Gerry Cappelluti (Westwood Velo)
3 Brian Lauler (GS Park Ridge)
4 Humberto Cavalheiro
5 Stephane Slotten

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