White takes Winston-Salem criterium win

UnitedHealthcare’s Brad White took the men’s win Saturday at the Winston-Salem Classic Criterium in North Carolina, finishing first in the field sprint to put an exclamation on the victory after lapping the field with a seven-rider group. Hincapie Racing’s Dion Smith and Jelly Belly-Maxxis rider Gavin Mannion finished second and third. The day’s podium came from the breakaway that lapped the field with less than 15 laps to go.

In a classic tactical manoeuvre known in criterium circles as the 'Saturn release' after the late-90s team that employed it so successfully, the Unitedhealthcare team positioned White near the front on the final lap, then put criterium expert Hilton Clarke on his wheel to open up a gap and let White and teammate Carlos Alzate power away on the final half lap.

Like his teammate Alexis Ryan, who won from a breakaway that lapped the women's field, White was not necessarily the protected rider for UnitedHealthcare. "I'm a worker through and through, and I only get a couple of opportunities when I get in a breakaway, and try to make the most of those, today was one," White said.

"It feels good, I don't usually get a chance to win. I have my brother, sister in law and dad here. It's not often you get to race in front of your family because we race all over the country, but to win in front of them was extra special."

White bridged across to solo attacker Mannion, who went away in the opening laps, in the final half hour of the 90-minute race with five other riders, including Hincapie's Smith and Andzs Flaksis, Jacob Sitler (Astellas), Connor McCutcheon (Airgas-Safeway), and Evan Murphy (Lupus). With UHC well known as a criterium powerhouse, it was surprising that the group worked so hard to lap the field, considering they were only delivering white to his well-drilled lead-out train.

"You see the course, and it looks like a course where a breakaway could lap up. Once the peloton slows on the uphill, boom, you gain 10", the lap isn't very long and all of a sudden you have that carrot in front of you. For me it was way better to lap the field rather than be one out of seven," White said. "When we lapped up my chances went up 100 per cent."

Mannion only wanted to stay safe, and hit out in the first few laps in an effort to avoid the chaos in the peloton on the short, fast course. To lap the field and take third was only a bonus. "I wanted to spend as little time as possible in the field," he told Cyclingnews. "UHC has their full crit team here, and they're pretty dialled winning these things. I don't think I had the legs to win the sprint anyhow. I knew exactly what they were going to do, there was nothing I could do about it. The podium is definitely a good result."

After the breakaway lapped the field, Astellas, UnitedHealthcare, Hincapie and Jelly Belly amassed at the front to try and give their riders an advantage. Hincapie sent Oscar Clarke up the road in a breakaway in the final 10 laps with hopes that one of Smith or Flaksis could get across, but it wasn't meant to be.

Smith said the team's strategy was to be aggressive and get in the breakaway, because they expected it to lap the field, but didn't question their efforts to lap the field and deliver White back into his team. "We didn't let him go to the front, they just have it so dialled. We're happy with what we did, we were aggressive. It's 50-50, we had two guys and we lapped the field, one of us could attack and have better odds. It didn't work out, but always nice to get on the podium and represent the team."

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Brad White (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team1:30:06
2Dion Smith (NZl) Hincapie Racing Team0:00:01
3Gavin Mannion (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis0:00:02
4Jacob Sitler (USA) Astellas Cycling TeamRow 3 - Cell 2
5Connor Mccutcheon (USA) Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team0:00:04
6Evan Murphy (USA) Lupus Racing Team0:00:35
7Andzs Flaksis (Lat) Hincapie Racing Team0:00:51
8Carlos Eduardo Alzate Escobar (Col) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:01
9Ryan Aitcheson (Can) Astellas Cycling Team0:00:03
10Alexandr Braico (Mda) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis0:00:04
11Cole House (USA) Isagenix-Seasucker-Guttenplan Coaching0:00:05
12Josh Johnson (USA) Bissell-Abg-Giant0:00:06
13Gerardo Medina (Mex) Airgas-Safeway Cycling TeamRow 12 - Cell 2
14Max Korus (USA) Qcw Breakaway Bikes0:00:07
15Kevin Massicotte (Can) Jet FuelRow 14 - Cell 2
16Redi Halilaj (Alb) Amore & Vita - Selle Smp0:00:08
17Karl Menzies (Aus) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 16 - Cell 2
18Hilton Clarke (Aus) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:09
19Mac Brennan (USA) Hincapie Racing Team0:00:10
20David Guttenplan (USA) Isagenix-Seasucker-Guttenplan Coaching0:00:15
21Adam Koble (USA) Uhc Project 7060:00:18
22Curtis White (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 21 - Cell 2
23Nicolae Tanovitchii (Mda) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis0:00:19
24Brecht Dhaene (Bel) Astellas Cycling TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Tom Zirbel (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:20
26Jordan Diekema (USA) Bissell-Abg-Giant0:00:22
27Carson Lange (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 26 - Cell 2
28Nathan Williams (USA) Bissell-Abg-Giant0:00:23
29Quinten Winkel (Ned) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 28 - Cell 2
30Glenn Ferreira (USA) Metra/Cycles 54Row 29 - Cell 2
31Colton Valentine (USA) Qcw Breakaway BikesRow 30 - Cell 2
32Marco Zamparella (Ita) Amore & Vita - Selle Smp0:00:24
33Michael Stoop (USA)Row 32 - Cell 2
34Micah Engle (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/Trek0:00:25
35George Simpson (USA) Gs Ciao0:00:27
36Josh Yeaton (USA) Gs CiaoRow 35 - Cell 2
37Adam Leibovitz (USA) Bissell-Abg-Giant0:00:28
38Adam Myerson (USA) Astellas Cycling TeamRow 37 - Cell 2
39Adam Farabaugh (USA) Isagenix-Seasucker-Guttenplan CoachingRow 38 - Cell 2
40Stephen Hyde (USA) Astellas Cycling Team0:00:32
41Braydon Bourne (Can) Jet FuelRow 40 - Cell 2
42Gaelen Merritt (Can) Jet Fuel0:00:49
43Oscar Clark (USA) Hincapie Racing TeamRow 42 - Cell 2
44Mike Stone (USA) Lupus Racing Team0:00:50
45Stuart Wight (Can) H&R Block Pro Cycling0:00:51
46Walter Trillini (Arg) Jamis - Hagens Berman0:00:55
47Eugenio Bani (Ita) Amore & Vita - Selle SmpRow 46 - Cell 2
48Kevin Gottlieb (USA) Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team0:00:59
49Jonathan Jacob (USA) Bissell-Abg-Giant0:01:04
50Nicola Dal Santo (Ita)0:01:05
51Thomas Brown (USA)0:01:06
52Kyle Murphy (USA) Lupus Racing Team0:01:16
53Sergio Hernandez (USA) Incycle Cannondale0:01:24
54Adrian Hegyvary (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:01:34
55Frank Travieso (USA) Uhc Project 7060:01:40
56David Goodman (USA) Uhc Project 706Row 55 - Cell 2
57Miguel Bryon (USA) Hincapie Racing Team0:01:56
58Logan Loader (USA) Amore & Vita - Selle Smp0:00:06
59Griffin Easter (USA) Airgas-Safeway Cycling Team0:00:51
60Fred Rodriguez (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis0:00:52
61Steven Perezluha (USA) Isagenix-Seasucker-Guttenplan Coaching0:01:57
62Josiah Chalmers (USA)Row 61 - Cell 2
63Dennis Ramirez (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 62 - Cell 2
64Matt Zimmer (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 63 - Cell 2
65Jonathan Freter (USA) Jelly Belly p/b MaxxisRow 64 - Cell 2
66David Williams (USA) Jamis - Hagens BermanRow 65 - Cell 2
67Shawn Gravois (USA) Lupus Racing TeamRow 66 - Cell 2
68Clay Murfet (Aus) Astellas Cycling TeamRow 67 - Cell 2
69Andrew Dahlheim (USA) Isagenix-Seasucker-Guttenplan CoachingRow 68 - Cell 2
70Angus Morton (Aus) Jelly Belly p/b MaxxisRow 69 - Cell 2
71Travis Samuel (Can) H&R Block Pro CyclingRow 70 - Cell 2
72Luis Romero Amaran (Cub) Jamis - Hagens BermanRow 71 - Cell 2
73Scott Zwizanski (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 72 - Cell 2
74Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Arg) Jamis - Hagens BermanRow 73 - Cell 2
75Gregory Obando Brenes (CRc) Jamis - Hagens BermanRow 74 - Cell 2
76Nathaniel Ward (USA) Piedmont FlyersRow 75 - Cell 2
77Stephen Leece (USA) Jamis - Hagens BermanRow 76 - Cell 2
78Stephen Vogel (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 77 - Cell 2
79Bailey Mcknight (Can) H&R Block Pro CyclingRow 78 - Cell 2
80Nicholas Rogers (USA) Qcw Breakaway BikesRow 79 - Cell 2
81Uri Martins (Mex) Amore & Vita - Selle SmpRow 80 - Cell 2
82Christopher Uberti (USA) Uhc Project 706Row 81 - Cell 2
83Alexandre Darville (USA)Row 82 - Cell 2
84Michael Pincus (USA) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 83 - Cell 2
85Felix Coté Bouvette (Can) H&R Block Pro CyclingRow 84 - Cell 2
86Robert Marion (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 85 - Cell 2
87Alfredo Balloni (USA)Row 86 - Cell 2
88Zach Allison (USA) Piedmont FlyersRow 87 - Cell 2
89Alan Royek (USA) Metra/Cycles 54Row 88 - Cell 2
90Nathan Elliott (Aus) H&R Block Pro CyclingRow 89 - Cell 2
91Andrew Scarano (USA) Uhc Project 706Row 90 - Cell 2
92Ryan Anderson (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 91 - Cell 2
93Ty Magner (USA) Hincapie Racing TeamRow 92 - Cell 2
94Ross Marklein (USA) Qcw Breakaway BikesRow 93 - Cell 2
95Efren Ortega (PuR) Incycle CannondaleRow 94 - Cell 2
96Bill Elliston (USA) Metra/Cycles 54Row 95 - Cell 2
97Matt Moosa (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 96 - Cell 2
98Joshua Johnson (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 97 - Cell 2
99Spencer Oswald (USA)Row 98 - Cell 2
100Phillip Gaimon (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 99 - Cell 2
101Nick Jowsey (NZl) Lupus Racing TeamRow 100 - Cell 2
102Dennis Cottreau (Can) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 101 - Cell 2
103Cristian Torres (Col) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 102 - Cell 2
104David Flynn (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 103 - Cell 2
105Thomas Barnett (USA) Metra/Cycles 54Row 104 - Cell 2
106Cory Williams (USA) Incycle CannondaleRow 105 - Cell 2
107Max Ackerman (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 106 - Cell 2
108Josh Brown (USA)Row 107 - Cell 2
109Alejandro Guzman (USA) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 108 - Cell 2
110Jesse Anthony (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 109 - Cell 2
111Luke Vanlauwe (Can) Jet FuelRow 110 - Cell 2
112Ryan Macdonald (Can) H&R Block Pro CyclingRow 111 - Cell 2
113Alex Ryan (USA) All Stars-Velocious SportRow 112 - Cell 2
114Andrew Crater (USA) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 113 - Cell 2
115Ryan Rapolas (USA) Qcw Breakaway BikesRow 114 - Cell 2
116Josh Tucker (USA)Row 115 - Cell 2
117Sammy Moseley (USA) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 116 - Cell 2
118Samuel Hunter Snipe Grove (USA) Incycle CannondaleRow 117 - Cell 2
119Luke Keough (USA)Row 118 - Cell 2
120Dave Lombardo (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 119 - Cell 2
121Austin Vincent (USA) Airgas-Safeway Cycling TeamRow 120 - Cell 2
122Brain Trafford (Can) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 121 - Cell 2
123David Duquette (USA) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 122 - Cell 2
124Connor Brown (USA) Gateway Harley-Davidson/TrekRow 123 - Cell 2
125Gorgi Popstefanov (Mkd) Metra/Cycles 54Row 124 - Cell 2
126Sean Weddell (USA)Row 125 - Cell 2
127Shane Braley (USA) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 126 - Cell 2
128Yukinori Hishinuma (Jpn) Amore & Vita - Selle SmpRow 127 - Cell 2
129Zach Lail (USA)Row 128 - Cell 2
130Wyatt Galley (Can) Ride With Rendall p/b BiemmeRow 129 - Cell 2
131Grayson Brookshire (USA)Row 130 - Cell 2
132Stephen Alexander (Tri) Crca-Foundation EliteRow 131 - Cell 2
133David Hall (USA)Row 132 - Cell 2
DNSWill Cooper (USA) Qcw Breakaway BikesRow 133 - Cell 2

 

Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.

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