Lampater claims first track-format Skyscraper Classic

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European track specialist Leif Lampater earned the Omnium victory in the Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic presented by Rockstar Games at Marcus Garvey Park in New York City. The race was a track format for the first time in its 38-year history.

Lampater (Transportation Advocacy/Rockstar), a two-time national champion German racer who owns half a dozen six-day race wins and three World Cup victories, won the first round points race and placed seventh in the second round elimination race. He bested Bobby Lea (Pure Energy Cycling) and Anibal Borrajo (Jamis-Sutter Home) in the Omnium. Lampater earned 44 points on the day.

"I really liked the course," said Lampater, who took second in last year's edition. "The audience was great this year, the weather was very good. I had enough motivation to make it a German race again."

Lampater and German teammate Benjamin Edmüller battled with Argentenian riders Borrajo and Demis Aleman (Jamis-Sutter Home) at the front of the peloton throughout the 30 lap points race.

Lampater and Edmüller finished first and third in the points race, with 30 and 20 points, respectively. Borrajo earned the maximum points by winning the final sprint, which was hotly contested with riders across the road. He took second in the points race, earning 25.

"Argentina versus Germany is a dream scenario for any promoter of any sport," said promoter John Eustice. "The match lived up to expectations with a heated duel that pushed the limits."

American track racing star and 2008 Olympian Bobby Lea beat Gabriel Acaba (CRCA/L-Raphael.com) in the elimination race — but for second. Australian rider Doug Repacholi attacked 25:30 into the race, and the field never responded. The track rider's aggressive tactic gave him enough of a gap on the battling peloton where he interacted with the crowd by waving his hands, encouraging cheering as he passed by during laps. Repacholi totaled 35 points in the Omnium, finishing fourth.

Following the elimination of Guillaume Nelessen (Van Dessel Factory Team), Acaba and Lea played cat and mouse, chasing each other across the road leading up to the final 300 meters. The riders then waited for the other to jump, and Lea, who placed sixth in the points race with a total of seven points, earned 40 points for the Omnium with his second place elimination race finish on the final sprint.

"The racing fascinated the crowd," Eustice said. "It was fast, dynamic and thrilling. A success."

Franco Marvulli (I Challenge Myself Team/Rockstar) was the pace setter for much of the points race. Marvulli led out his European teammates on every sprint lap until he flicked his elbow to signal exhaustion.

Gavriel Epstein (Garmin-Transitions) attempted to escape several times to earn sprint points against a peloton filled with seasoned track riders. However, the gap never grew to more than a few seconds.

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