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Results and Reports from the USAPromoters wishing to submit results should send them to cyclingnews North Shore ClassicPittsburgh, PA, July 17, 2004
The rain didn't keep the hard core riders away at this one. The City of Pittsburgh North Shore Cycling Classic kicked off this past Saturday with the clouds threatening all morning. When the rain finally fell the Jrs were just finishing. This is a promoters Nightmare. The rain was steady but so were the hard core cyclist. Many had smiling faces and said "Just like Belgium". I had been wondering as of late which city in North America had cloudier days, Pittsburgh or Seattle. Just then, the rain was cold but the racing was hot on one of the fastest criterium circuits in North America. In the women's open, two riders from the Victory Brewing team escaped on the rain soaked pack to try and pull out a 1-2 finish on the bunch. Riders Gina Grain (AUS) and Emma Rickards (CAN) started to put a huge gap on the field. Working like a 2 woman team time trial the two riders lapped the field on the .53mi course. Rickards flatted and quickly got back in the field for a wheel change. Grain Attacked the field for the second time and went on to solo for her first win at the North Shore classic. Comments were great course and super fast. In the field sprint the final podium spot was filled by 14 year old phenom Sinead Miller (AGH/Pactimo). Sinead, who has been growing up racing in the ACAs local wed night criterium series said that she learned a lot today about racing in the rain. Sinead plans to attend Murrysville the next day to see if she can put a good performance and then Jr. Nationals in Utah later this summer.
The Men's Elite Event saw some heavy hitters for its first time in the races 3 year history. Teams Represented by Navigators, Colavita, UPMC/ACT, Land Rover, took to the concrete to battle in the rain. About 5 laps into the 65 lapper, an attack by Todd Herrott of Colavita lit up the pace. He was then covered by Alejandro Action (UPMC/ACT) and Mark Walters (Navigators). The three formed a solid break that had a time gap of 20-30 seconds for most of the race. With less than 10K to go Herrott crashed on the Second corner leaving the other two to do the work. Walters was looking back to see if they had enough to stay away. In the field Vasilli Davidenko (RUS), Walter's teammate was positioning himself to win the field sprint for the final podium spot. Walters, looking like he was suffering a bit, sat on Actions wheel for the final laps either trying to let the field catch them to set up Vasilli for the field sprint or trying to save the little gas he had for the sprint. That's what he did. with the field breathing down their necks, Walters took the final sprint from Action and then the Russian Rocket Davidenko positioned himself to take the final podium spot ahead of UPMC/ACTs Joe Papp. Even in the rain, the course showed the speed that it is known for, an average speed of near 30mph. PhotographyImages by MG Ellis/AG Foto report
ResultsMen Pro-3 1 Mark Walters (Can) Navigators 2 A. Action (Arg) UPMC/ACT 3 V. Davidenko (Rus) Navigators 4 J. Papp (USA) UPMC/ACT 5 G. Artacho (USA) Colavita 6 B. Johnson (USA) ESSM/GOPA 7 A. Tardagulia (USA) UPMC/ACT 8 T. Wren (USA) Colavita 9 T. Reinhardt (USA) Land Rover 10 J. Lifson (USA) SCI-FIT 11 N. Piekielek (USA) ESSM/GOPA 12 C. Sandberg (USA) ESSM/GOPA 13 M. Gorman (USA) Tri State Velo 14 S. Speaks (USA) Land Rover 15 M Friedman (USA) ESSM/GOPA 16 G. Castro (USA) UPMC/ACT 17 J. Babik (USA) ESSM/GOPA 18 B. Short (USA) Land Rover Most agressive rider - A. Action Women Open 1 Gina Grain (Aus) Victory Brewing 2 Emma Rickards (CAN) Victory Brewing 3 Sinead Miller (USA) AGH Pactimo 4 J. Paul (USA) Land Rover 5 M. Esmonde (USA) ORC 6 N. Demars (USA) Victory Brewing 7 N. Howard (USA) Evolutions 8 K. Yoder (USA) Freddie Fu 9 K. Robins (USA) Victory Brewing 10 B. Grabowsky (USA) Big Bang/Trek Most agressive rider - G. Grain Local results 2004 |
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