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Team Slipstream diary
Throughout the year, Cyclingnews will feature a regular Team Journal from
Team Slipstream/Chipotle, with entries from various members of the squad, who
will share their experiences and feelings of competing in North America and
Europe. Cyclingnews is proud to be a supporting sponsor of Team Slipstream/Chipotle,
providing some of North America's most promising cyclists with a great opportunity
to develop as riders, racing among some of the world's top racers in professional
events.
Index to all
entries
March 27, 2007
Portugal, March 15-18; 2nd Volta ao Santarém - 2.1
Team Slipstream continued it's busy early season European race schedule with
a recent four-day stage race in Portugal. Everyone on the team was happy to
trade the cold, windy and wet conditions of Belgium for some sun and warm temperatures
in southern Portgual for the 2nd edition of the Volta ao Santarém.
With the sun and warmth, and somewhat more laid back racing style than in Belgium,
Team Slipstream was able to utilize this very well organized event to get some
long racing miles in, and help several riders ease their way back from illness.
Volta ao Santarém featured three long road stages geared towards sprint
finishes, and one fairly short individual time trial.
Here's a quick run-through of the stages and the team's top result or two:
Stage 1 - 206 km: Thursday there was a long early break out in front
for 135 km, but when they were caught Team Slipstream's Steven Cozza and one
other rider put in a hard attack and built a decent lead. Unfortunately, thanks
to the sprinters' teams cranking up the pace to set up their leadout trains,
they got caught inside 10 km to go. Slipstream's young Aussie sprinter Ben Johnson
was 17th in field sprint.
Stage 2 - 187 km: Friday's stage was another flat course suitable for
a field sprint. In the end, Johnson finished highest in the sprint for Slipstream,
in 22nd place.
Stage 3 - TT, 17.8 km: Saturday's time trial was a sure bet to organize
most of the overall standings for the stage race, and it turned out that no
one from Team Slipstream was feeling spectacular on this day. The team's best
results were turned in by Frenchman Kilian Patour (11th, 0:42 down), and Danny
Pate (21st, 0:50 down).
Stage 4 - 166 km: Another road stage on Sunday, and another sprint finish.
Johnson ended up 30th.
Final General Classification
Kilian Patour 15th overall
Danny Pate 21st overall
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