Van Heerden outclasses Friedman in Northshore

South Africa's Christoff Van Heerden (Team MTN) outsprinted his two breakaway companions Michael Friedman (Garmin-Slipstream) and Sean Sullivan (Team Hotel San Jose) to win the NorthShore Grand Prix, his second stage victory and the fifth straight for Team MTN.

The NorthShore University Health System Grand Prix took place in front of a very large crowd, easily the biggest spectator turn-out thus far in the International Cycling Classic series. They were treated to a spectacle of high speeds and dramatic crashes on the corners at both ends of the 0.9 mile course.

Karl Menzies (Team OUCH) attacked early in the 100-kilometre race with Ronnie Strange (Team Hotel San Jose). James Stemper (Team Geargrinder) joined shortly after to form a three-man breakaway that would last for 48 laps, maintaining a gap that hovered around the 40 seconds. It looked as if the break would stay away; however a spirited chase that strung out the field single file brought back the leading trio with 22 laps remaining.

"Initially it took me a few laps to get settled in, but I felt great in the break," said Strange. "Karl [Menzies] isn't on perfect form right now, so James and I were doing the bulk of the work and sharing the sprint competition points.

"I really thought we were going to stay away and was disappointed when we were pulled back," continued Strange. "It was interesting to note the crowd becoming silent moments before we were caught, as they were quite energetic in the support of us."

Soon after the catch was made, a group of six riders jumped clear. Two riders dropped off the pace with 10 laps remaining leaving Michael Friedman (Garmin-Slipstream), Sean Sullivan (Team Hotel San Jose), Ryan Freund (ABD Cycling) and Christoff Van Heerden (Team MTN) in the lead. With five laps remaining Freund was dropped leaving Friedman, Sullivan and Van Heerden to contest for the victory.

On the last lap, Friedman played his final card in his bid to escape his breakaway companions but Van Heerden and Sullivan responded immediately. Going down the long Sherman Avenue stretch to the finish line Van Heerden outsprinted Friedman and Sullivan to earn his second win of the Superweek series.

Australian teammates Jonathan Cantwell and Bernard Sulzberger (Fly V Australia) again showed why they are the best field sprinters in the series, outkicking the peloton to place fourth and fifth respectively. Carlos Vargas (Team Hotel San Jose) was right behind in sixth place followed by fast-finishing Andreas Muller (No Radunion) in seventh.

"The race tonight was extremely fast," said race leader Sulzberger, "but it was a bit of a rest day for me. There was not much chance of getting away due to the fast nature of the course, but a break did manage to escape over the last 10 laps. Johnny did a great job of leading me out again and we finished fourth and fifth which was good points for me to ensure my overall lead".

Jay Thomson (Team MTN) did enough to reclaim his APC Nutrition red sprint jersey from Robert White (Team Geargrinder), but this competition is far from being over as the top three are only separated by six points. Thomson has 106 points, leading by just two points over Robert White. James Stemper, also of Team Geargrinder, is in third with 100 points.