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Wachovia Cycling Series
USA, June 1-6, 2004
Wachovia Invitational - June 1: Lancaster, PA, 13 laps, 91 miles/147km
First blood to van Heeswijk
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Dutchman Max van Heeswijk outperformed an international field of over 180 pro cyclists in Lancaster today before a packed crowd estimated at more than 15,000 people. The US Postal classics specialist won with a time of 3'17'27, nine seconds ahead of Francisco Ventoso (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and USPRO Championship favorite Fred Rodriguez (Acqua & Sapone-Caffe Mokambo).
The race through the streets of downtown Lancaster started in a thunderstorm, but was contested primarily in sunshine as 19 of the world's best pro cycling teams engaged in a three hour-plus battle over thirteen seven-mile laps. Multiple two and three rider breakaways were reeled back in by the peloton throughout the race until Bobby Julich (CSC) took charge in on lap 10 and went clear of the field. Others showing their face at the front of the peloton throughout the race included Olympic hopeful Chris Horner (Webcor) and two-time USPRO Champion Fred Rodriguez.
Fast Freddy later revealed to Cyclingnews that he was suffering from stomach problems and required medical assistance midway through the race, but hung tough to finish third in the end: "I was feeling really sick and I went back to the team car to talk to my director and was actually thinking of quitting," he said. "I went to the medical car and they gave me a pill; I'm not sure what it was, but I went back to the group shortly after and started feeling better, so I thought I'd have a go in the end and see how I'd do."
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Julich looked set for a solo win until van Heeswijk, normally content to wait for a bunch sprint, launched an audacious move with a half-lap remaining. The flying Dutchman's solo move created havoc back in the peloton, with Julich's team-mate Jakob Piil next to go when word got round that Bobby J had been caught. The great Dane wasn't allowed to get far away, however, but the move did cause the peloton to crumble, working perfectly to van Heeswijk's favour, who stormed home nine seconds clear of the field to take the first of three men's races in the Wachovia Cycling Series.
"The circuit is good for me," said van Heeswijk. "We were flying in the first half of the season and this is a real good start to the week for me."
Second-placed finisher and winner of the bunch gallop, Francisco Ventoso (Saunier Duval-Prodir), commented how fast the race started off, but when asked if he was surprised at the pace of racing in the States, the Spaniard said it was what he expected.
With the victory in this first event, Van Heeswijk takes the lead in the 2004 Pro Cycling Tour point standings. The series continues Thursday, June 3 with the Wachovia Classic in Trenton and culminates Sunday, June 6 with the 20th annual Wachovia USPRO Championship in Philadelphia.
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Photos
Images by Jon Devich/www.epicimages.us
- The peloton hits the first climb at the start of the race.
- Current national champion Mark McCormack with teammate Aaron Olson.
- The sun finally comes out and filters through the trees.
- When a rider needs a bike Mavic is always there.
- Bobby Julich (CSC) pushes the pace at the front.
- Fred Rodriguez stays safely tucked in the bunch.
- Fred Rodriguez decides to crank up the pace a little.
- The group gives chase.
- Bobby Julich goes for a solo break.
- The USPS team takes up the chase.
- USPRO favorite Fred Rodriguez leads current champion Mark McCormack.
- Health Net rider Chris Wherry makes his way up the climb.
- Riders make their way under the thick tree canopies.
Results, 91 miles/147km
1 Max van Heeswijk (Ned) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 3.17.27 (44.66 km/h) 2 Francisco Jose Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Prodir Saunier Duval 0.09 3 Fred Rodriguez (USA) Acqua e Sapone-Caffe Mokambo 4 Lars Michaelsen (Den) Team CSC 5 Ciaran Power (Irl) Navigators Insurance 6 Bo Hamburger (Den) Acqua e Sapone-Caffe Mokambo 7 Gordon McCauley (NZl) Team Monex 8 Michael Barry (Can) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 9 Guennadi Mikhailov (Rus) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 10 Jakob Piil (Den) Team CSC 11 Tristan Hoffman (Ned) Team CSC 12 Denis Bertolini (Ita) Acqua e Sapone-Caffe Mokambo 13 Ivan Dominguez (Cub) Colavita Olive Oil 14 Ben Brooks (Aus) Jelly Belly / Aramark 15 Charles Dionne (Can) Webcor Cycling Team 16 Gordon Fraser (Can) Health Net presented by Maxxis 17 Kirk O'Bee (USA) Navigators Insurance 18 Brian Sheedy (USA) Team Seasilver 19 Caleb Manion (Aus) Jelly Belly / Aramark 20 John Lieswyn (USA) Health Net presented by Maxxis 21 Dennis Kraft (Ger) Action ATI 22 Kyle Gritters (USA) Team Monex 23 Davide Frattini (Ita) Team Monex 24 Damon Kluck (USA) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 25 Brice Jones (USA) Health Net presented by Maxxis 26 Kazimierz Stafiej (Pol) Action ATI 27 Lawrence Perera (USA) Sharper Image-Mathis Bros. 28 Eric Wohlberg (Can) Sierra Nevada Cycling 29 Jeff Louder (USA) Navigators Insurance 30 Antonio Cruz (USA) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 31 Kirk Albers (USA) Jelly Belly / Aramark 32 Jakob Erker (Can) Team Seasilver 33 Adam Bergman (USA) Jelly Belly / Aramark 34 Scottie Weiss (USA) Subway Express 35 Juan Fuentes Angullo (Spa) Saeco 36 David Mc Kenzie (Aus) Navigators Insurance 37 Ernesto Lechuga (Mex) Jelly Belly / Aramark 38 Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 39 Chris Wherry (USA) Health Net presented by Maxxis 40 Jimmi Madsen (Den) Team CSC 41 Christopher Baldwin (USA) Navigators Insurance 42 John Hygelund (USA) Sierra Nevada Cycling 43 Thomas Bruun Eriksen (Den) Team CSC 44 Mark McCormack (USA) Colavita Olive Oil 45 Chris Horner (USA) Webcor Cycling Team 46 Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Colavita Olive Oil 47 Frank Hoj (Den) Team CSC 48 David Zabriskie (USA) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 49 Cameron Hughes (Aus) Subway Express 0.54 50 Tim Johnson (USA) Prodir Saunier Duval 51 Alessandro Donati (Ita) Acqua e Sapone-Caffe Mokambo 1.21 52 David Richter (USA) Subway Express 1.59 53 Andrew Bajadali (USA) Ofoto 54 Jason McCartney (USA) Health Net presented by Maxxis 3.12 55 Michael Creed (USA) US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor 3.58 56 Danny Pate (USA) Health Net presented by Maxxis 57 David Loosli (Swi) Saeco
Past Winners
2003 Jakob Piil (Den) Team CSC 146.0 kms in 3.23.42 (43.00 km/h) 2002 David Clinger (USA) U.S. Postal Service 147.5 kms in 3.18.52 (44.35 km/h) 2001 Leon Van Bon (Ned) Mercury Viatel 147.5 kms in 3.20.13 2000 Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn Cycling Team 147.5 kms in 3.21.04 1999 Jacob Piil (Den) Acceptcard 147.5 kms in 3.19.42 1998 Frankie Andreu (USA) US Postal Service 147.5 kms in 3.23.17 1997 Chan McCrae (USA) 147.5 kms in 3.22.15 1996 Chris Horner (USA) 1995 Fred Rodriguez (USA) 1994 Andrea Peron (Ita) 1993 Arvis Piziks (Lat) 1992 Roberto Pelliconi (Ita)
