Murfet takes the win in Grafton ahead of break companions

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Elite Men

Clay Murfet took the Giro de Grafton over his breakaway companions after a long day in the lead.

Rahsaan Bahati won the field sprint over Jonathon Cantwell after another powerful finish from the sprinter.

How it unfolded

A seven-man breakaway of Christian Helmig (Elbowz Racing), Juan Pablo Dotti (Aerocat), Luca Damiani (Kenda 5-hour Energy pb Geargrinder), Clay Murfet (RideClean pb Patentit.com), Neil Bezdek, (Team Mountain Khakis), hometown rider Andy Crater (Serenity Bikes pb Yoga 1 Studio) and Marc Prutton (Stan’s No Tubes/AXA Equitable got off the front early and would stay away for the entire race.

For nearly 10 laps, the magnificent seven slipped father and farther ahead of the field, ruling the ToAD Stage 3 tight, technical course. Bahati and Jonathan Cantwell (Fly V Australia) tried hard but kept missing the riders up the road who were pulling hard. With Prutton falling off with 10 remaining, the now six-man break hung together. Finding their rhythm, the party of six increased the gap to nearly 40 seconds, with Cantwell breathing hard on their heels, chasing a $200 prime as added incentive. With two to go, it was the Kenda 5-hour Energy p/b Geargrinder assembly line working overtime to lead the field. But all eyes were on the six in front, who slowed the pace with one to go, bringing the crowd to its toes. Once the all-out battle ensued, Murfet, Dotti and Bezdek were left standing tallest, respectively, at 1-2-3, with Crater and his deep Wisconsin roots, planted firmly in 4th.

Super charged Bahati, who won the 2010 USA Crits Giro d’ Grafton race, beat out Cantwell by a half tire in the field sprint, while staying in the Yellow and White Overall Leader’s Jersey. Aerocat takes over the lead in the Team Omnium.

Elite Women

In Grafton, the field lit up for a mid-race prime, and let it fly from there. With five remaining, Kristen Lasasso (Mellow Mushroom) inched off the front as Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder pushed hard on the backside with three to go. Everyone back together with two remaining, the magic eight ball came back: anyone’s race. Lasasso still led the parade with one lap to go, ultimately leading teammate Laura Van Gilder to victory and two arms in the Becker Law Pink Overall Leader’s Jersey. Erica Allar (RideClean pb Patentit.com) and Cari Higgins (Peanut Butter & Co.) stood second and third on the podium. Mellow Mushroom retains the lead in the 5-hour Energy Team Omnium standings.

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