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USA Cycling Pro championships - CN
USA, August 30-31, 2008
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Race 2 - August 31: USA professional road race championships, 110 mi /177 km
US championship decided by the camera's eye
Hamilton edges out Caldwell for jersey
By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Greenville, South Carolina
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The United States professional championship race was without some of the top European-based professionals, such as defending champion Levi Leipheimer (Astana). But this actually made for better racing with a more team-oriented race and not the Europro 'collusion' of the past two years.
Similar to the past two editions the last climb up Paris Mountain was the deciding factor, with the field shattered by the top. A group of around 25 came together on the bottom with most of the big names, but out of this came an attack of five onto the finish circuits – three Garmin-Chipotle riders with Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) and Jeff Louder (BMC).
Here numbers should have benefited Garmin-Chipotle with Danny Pate, Blake Caldwell and Lucas Euser. Coming up to the final lap it was Caldwell who was able to get away, but not from Hamilton. The two rode the final lap with Hamilton forced to lead due to Caldwell playing the team card. Caldwell jumped Hamilton in the final turn at 250 meters, but that was an inch too early as Hamilton came back around him on the line, winning by just that distance.
"I knew I had a chance, that's why I took yesterday off with the time trial," said Hamilton about his decision to only contest the road race. "I am an Olympic champion in time trial but I decided to save my energy for today. I wanted to be a strong helper for Fred Rodriguez who has won this before or take a chance myself."
The 36 year-old, who served a two-year suspension for a positive blood test in 2004, said he almost retired after this very race last year. He showed up in Greenville last year riding as an independent while embroiled in a contract dispute with his then-team Tinkoff. Not racing for much of the season during the dispute meant his form was not on par and he suffered for it.
"Last year I thought the race in Greenville was the last of my career," he said. "Fortunately for me I got another chance. Michael Ball gave me another chance with Rock Racing and here I am. It's really special and a pretty emotional feeling for me."
Hamilton said that once he found himself with the lead group over the final climb he realized he could have a shot at the win. "I thought I could be in the mix, and once you are it just takes a little luck," he said.
It might have been luck but it also took some clever riding as he and Louder were quite outnumbered in the final laps. The luck came in the form of Pate cramping in the deciding moments, shifting the focus to the two younger Garmin riders.
"He just plain beat us all today," said Pate. "I think we rode really well but we suffered at the end from some little problems – I started to cramp and all the pressure went on Lucas and Blake.
"I was in the second group over the hill but we caught everyone in front and it came back together coming into the downtown area," added Pate. "We had numbers with six out of 25 guys and we tried to increase our odds by attacking."
"With two to go there was a group of five," said Caldwell. "At that point some of us were getting tired and we tried to get one of us away. I put in an attack and Tyler came with me."
During the start of that move Caldwell was working with Hamilton as Pate was cramping behind. The two built a 10 second lead which ended up keeping the two away for good.
"It was touch and go but I started working a little to get a gap but then started saving a little and not fully commit," he said. "It took some of the pressure off me and so I tried to be as fresh as I could for the sprint."
"It was just Garmin stacking it and some how they didn't win," a totally spent Louder said. "That's a little disappointing. They kept hitting me and hitting me... Danny was cramping and I was cramping and Euser was just glued to my wheel. We could see them the whole time and I was worried Tyler would win and I hoped those guys would do something."
The hometown favorite George Hincapie (Columbia) represented one of three ProTour riders in the race, along with his two young team-mates Craig Lewis and John Devine. But what benefited him the past two years was turned against him today.
"I rode a good race but it was pretty much everyone against me and it's tough to win under those circumstances," he said. "Craig did a great job today but we were disappointed. He was to cover the early move and then he had a good pace up the last climb with only five of us left at the top, but nobody wanted to work with me. As soon as 30 guys came back it was pretty much any move that I wasn't in was able to go."
"[Tyler] was with us at the top of the last climb and was able to get away in the breakaway," said Hincapie. "I think it was a big mistake for Garmin and the way they rode, but that is racing. [Tyler] has been through a lot and it's a good victory for him."
"This is a new experience for me," said Caldwell about being in the final moments on a stage as big as the national championships. "[Hamilton] wanted me to work and stay away but I had two teammates behind. If they came up it would have been ideal for me. We had the numbers there and it was up to me to finish it off but just came up short.
"I wanted to get a jump on the uphill but the finish was a long, downhill sprint and he had it better at the end," he added. "I had some left but 250 meters is a ways."
How it unfolded
Warm and sticky conditions greeted the riders in the third year of having the race in Greenville, South Carolina. But a different looking peloton toed the line, with many European-based professionals staying across the pond to contest the Vuelta a Espana and other races.
Only hometown favorites George Hincapie and Craig Lewis along with their Columbia team-mate John Devine made the start. But as usual, Garmin-Chipotle used its mostly-American team roster to field a huge team. This numbers advantage was obvious throughout the day and into the final kilometers.
Garmin-Chipotle wasted no time in putting threats up the road, including Dave Zabriskie and Steven Cozza. They were part of a 10 rider move that went approaching Paris Mountain for the first time. Also there was team-mate Lucas Euser, Brad Huff (Jelly Belly), Craig Lewis (Team Columbia), Jon Hamblen (Time Pro Cycling), Nick Waite (Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast), Michael Creed (Rock Racing), Jonathan Garcia and Jackson Stewart (BMC Racing Team), Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling), Phil Zajicek (Health Net p/b Maxxis).
The next time up the climb a few riders had some problems, and the herd was thinned. The break had at most three minutes on the field and the third time up the climb the speeds starting picking up. The third time up left only five survivors: Cozza, Euser and Creed with Garcia and Huff able to rejoin near the top.
In between trips up Paris Mountain it was a literal feeding frenzy for the riders to get enough bottles from their team cars to battle the heat and stay hydrated.
The break disintegrated on the final ascent with only Euser and Garcia able to keep the flag flying at the front. Behind them riders in the break were being swallowed by the field one-by-one with the gap less than a minute. Even though Garmin had a rider up the road the writing was on the wall as Blake Caldwell attacked out of the field.
This let the fireworks begin and it was a race for the top to see who would emerge. And as expected the proverbial cream did rise with George Hincapie cresting the top with the likes of Andy Bajadali (Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast), Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing), Christian Vande Velde and Blake Caldwell (Garmin-Chipotle).
But everyone was looking at Hincapie and the hesitation allowed the chasing groups behind to catch on the descent. On the bottom, as the race passed Hincapie's neighborhood, the group was around 25 strong.
Danny Pate was one of the first to shake things up as planned for his team to push their advantage. The rolling hills of Main Street caused a few to fall off the pace as Pate dangled ten seconds in front of the remaining lead group. The only riders able to reach Pate were his teammates Euser and Caldwell, along with Hamilton and Louder.
With three laps to go the five were chased by Tom Danielson (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30), Craig Lewis (Team Columbia), Andrew Bajadali (Kelly Benefit Strategies - Medifast), Burke Swindlehurst (Bissell Pro Cycling) and Chris Jones (Team Type 1). But this is when Pate's day turned unlucky as cramps almost caused him to abandon. He was seen pounding his quads with his fist, trying to get them to release.
The result was that the two younger Garmin riders would have to shoulder the responsibility. Taking turns attacking it was finally Caldwell who got away, but with Hamilton on his wheel. The two worked for a few moments, until Caldwell realized he could play the team card to his advantage. For most of the final finishing lap he forced Hamilton to lead. Behind Louder was sandwiched between Euser and Pate, with no where to go and the win ten seconds up the road.
Entering the final kilometers Hamilton tried to get Caldwell to share the work. Inside of one kilometer he swung far to the barriers to keep an eye on the young rider. But Caldwell stuck to Hamilton's wheel the entire time. Hitting the rise towards the final turn at 250 meters Caldwell eyed the attack, hoping that the slight uphill would give him a jump.
Approaching the turn he jumped and gained a gap on Hamilton. But the downhill after the turn negated some of his advantage. Hamilton was able to regain Caldwell's rear wheel and used the slipstream (pun intended) to slingshot around him on the line for a win by .002 seconds.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Phoenix Sports Technology
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) takes victory by the narrowest of margins over Blake Caldwell (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30).
- Missed by that much: Blake Caldwell (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30) loses out to Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing).
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) checks out his winning margin on a video replay.
Images by
Jonathan Devich/
- Craig Lewis (Columbia) and team-mate George HIncapie all ready to go for the day.
- Riders line up for the national anthem.
- Things get underway in downtown Greenville.
- The bunch heads out through the park.
- Mike Sayers (BMC) tried to get things going early.
- A break forms with most teams represented.
- The main bunch tackles the base of the climb.
- Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) leads the group on the climb.
- Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Chipotle) working hard in the break.
- Steven Cozza (Garmin-Chipotle) leads the break up to the KOM.
- Christian Vandevelde (Garmin-Chipotle) takes it easy back in the bunch with team-mates up the road.
- George Hincapie (Columbia) was out to give his hometown fans a big show.
- The group weaves under the lush South Carolina foliage.
- Bissell riders come to the front to get control of the break.
- Riders get stacked up as they make their way up the climb.
- Jonathan Garcia (BMC) leads Lucas Euser on the climb.
- Chris Wherry (Toyota United) hangs out back in the bunch on the climb.
- Riders pass by an old fighter jet along the course.
- Greenville was happy to have the race back in town for another year.
- Riders get strung out in their attempt to get closer to the break.
- Bissell comes to the front again to take some time out of the break.
- Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) on the front of the climb again.
- The break meets the crowds at the KOM.
- Brad Huff (Jelly Belly) gets some help from a fan when it gets steep.
- Fans were more than happy to help riders get over the climb.
- Doug Ollerenshaw (Rock Racing) fights his way over the top.
- Kirk O’Bee (HealthNet-Maxxis) on the descent.
- Ed King (Bissell) hit the deck hard but avoided serious injury.
- Garmin-Chipotle puts all its riders on the front heading up to the climb.
- Things get a little bunch up just before hitting the climb.
- Blake Caldwell (Garmin-Chipotle) attacks.
- George Hincapie (Columbia) reacts to the attack.
- Justin England (Toyota United) fighting hard to stay in the front group after the attacks.
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) makes the break.
- George Hincapie (Columbia) gets stuck back in the chase group.
- Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle) launches a solo attack.
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) stays calm and collected while still in the front group.
- George Hincapie (Columbia) leads the chase.
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) takes victory over Blake Caldwell (Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30).
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) and Blake Caldwell (Garmin-Chipotle) coming to the line.
- Jeff Louder (BMC) had a great ride today but was disappointed in not getting the win.
- Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) makes the phone call to team owner, Michael Ball, to tell him about his day.
- Podium (L-R): Blake Caldwell (Garmin-Chipotle), Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) and Danny Pate (Garmin-Chipotle).
Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
- George Hincapie (Team Columbia) gets ready for the day's race.
- Neil Shirley (Jittery Joes) waits in the shade for the race to start.
Results
1 Tyler Hamilton (USA) Rock Racing 4.38.19 (38.163 km/h) 2 Blake Caldwell (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 3 Danny Pate (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 0.04 4 Lucas Euser (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 0.05 5 Jeffry Louder (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team 0.06 6 Thomas Danielson (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 1.05 7 Andrew Bajadali (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast 8 Christopher Jones (USA) Team Type 1 1.09 9 Craig Lewis (USA) Team Columbia 1.11 10 Burke Swindlehurst (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team 1.19 11 Justin England (USA) Toyota-United 2.45 12 Jared Barrilleaux (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 3.12 13 Frank Pipp (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis 3.42 14 Thomas Peterson (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 3.43 15 Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light 16 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team 3.44 17 Kiel Reijnen (USA) Jelly Belly 18 Michael Grabinger (USA) Successful Living p/b Parkpre 19 Jonathan Garcia (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team 20 Christopher Baldwin (USA) Toyota-United 3.45 21 Alex Hagman (USA) TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife 22 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia 3.47 23 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 3.48 24 Jonathan Patrick Mc Carty (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 25 Corney Collier (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis 11.07 26 Daniel Holt (USA) Team Type 1 27 Timothy Johnson (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis 28 Michael Sayers (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team 29 Neil Shirley (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team 30 Chris Wherry (USA) Toyota-United 31 Doug Ollerenshaw (USA) Rock Racing 32 Tyler Wren (USA) Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light 33 Jackson Stewart (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team 34 Andy Guptill (USA) Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light 35 Aaron Olson (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team 36 Thad Dulin (USA) DLP Racing 37 Macgregor Ian (USA) Team Type 1 38 Shawn Milne (USA) Team Type 1 39 Matt Cooke (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis 40 Daniel Ramsey (USA) TIME Pro Cycling 41 Justin Spinelli (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast 42 Scott Jackson (USA) DLP Racing 43 Michael Norton (USA) Calyon Pro Cycling Team 11.08 44 Roman Kilun (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF John Devine (USA) Team Columbia DNF Graham Howard (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Scott Zwizanski (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Tom Zirbel (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Garrett Peltonen (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Omer Kem (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Edward King (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Morgan Schmitt (USA) Bissell Pro Cycling Team DNF Antonio Cruz (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team DNF Nathan Miller (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team DNF Ian Mckissick (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team DNF David Galvin (USA) BMC Pro Cycling Team DNF Kyle Wamsley (USA) Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light DNF Joseph Coddington (USA) DLP Racing DNF Boyd Johnson (USA) DLP Racing DNF Charles Pendry (USA) DLP Racing DNF Owen Nielsen (USA) DLP Racing DNF Matthew Howe (USA) DLP Racing DNF Spencer Beamer (USA) DLP Racing DNF David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O DNF Steven Cozza (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O DNF Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O DNF Charles Bradley Huff (USA) Jelly Belly DNF Bernard Van Ulden (USA) Jelly Belly DNF Nick Reistad (USA) Jelly Belly DNF Jeremy Powers (USA) Jelly Belly DNF Evan Elken (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team DNF Matt Shriver (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team DNF Timothy Henry (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team DNF Ben Kneller (USA) Jittery Joe's Pro Cycling Team DNF Jonathan Sundt (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Alex Candelario (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Benjamin King (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Reid Mumford (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Dan Bowman (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Nick Waite (USA) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast DNF Jake Rytlewski (USA) Rite Aid pb Shebell & Shebell DNF Robbie King (USA) Rite Aid pb Shebell & Shebell DNF Erdelyi Jonathan (USA) Rite Aid pb Shebell & Shebell DNF Clayton Barrows (USA) Rite Aid pb Shebell & Shebell DNF Fred Rodriguez (USA) Rock Racing DNF Kayle Leogrande (USA) Rock Racing DNF Michael Creed (USA) Rock Racing DNF Jeremiah Wiscovitch (USA) Rock Racing DNF Sergio Hernandez (USA) Rock Racing DNF Adam Switters (USA) Rock Racing DNF Matthew Crane (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF Kirk O'bee (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF Phil Zajicek (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF Kyle Gritters (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF John Murphy (USA) Team Health Net p/b Maxxis DNF Joe Eldridge (USA) Team Type 1 DNF Phil Southerland (USA) Team Type 1 DNF Jonathan Hamblen (USA) TIME Pro Cycling DNF Thomas Soladay (USA) TIME Pro Cycling DNF Michael Stoop (USA) TIME Pro Cycling DNF Andy Baker (USA) TIME Pro Cycling DNF Nick Frey (USA) TIME Pro Cycling DNF Mark Hekman (USA) TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife DNF Daniel Vaillancourt (USA) TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife DNF Robert Sweeting (USA) TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife DNF Eric Bennett (USA) Successful Living p/b Parkpre DNF Bradley White (USA) Successful Living p/b Parkpre Back to top
