Damiani makes it 1-2 for Kenda 5-Hour Energy

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The average, not peak, speed halfway through the men’s Pro race was well above 50km/h and the Kenda 5-Hour Energy Pro Cycling p/b Geargrinder squad insisted on keeping it that way. With 15 laps to go, the shake-up began with Max Korus (Kenda 5-Hour Energy p/b Geargrinder) sneaking off the front in four-man break which last just a few laps before two riders, Cole House (Competitive Cyclist) and Paul Mach (Kenda 5-Hour Energy) came screaming around the 100-degree fourth turn with a gap on the bunch.

Pulling away from the field, House and Mach managed to squeeze out a 22-second lead before seeing it plummet when seven of the Kenda 5-Hour Energy riders combined at the front of the field. Kenda 5-Hour Energy chased hard and the gap was cut to seven-seconds as the leading duo passed through the finish line with two laps remaining. Going into the final lap, it was Rahsaan Bahati (Bahati Foundation) who found himself in a great position sitting on the back of the Kenda 5-Hour Energy train - as the breakaway was on the verge of field absorption.

But in the end, it was a day of perfect execution by the Kenda 5-Energy team as Luca Damiani took the win ahead of teammate John Murphy. Rafael Meran (CRCA Foundation) put forth an extraordinary effort for third. Murphy will take to Sunday’s line in the yellow ‘cowprint’ leader’s jersey.

Earlier in the afternoon, the women’s Mellow Mushroom - Rose Bandit Cycling Team continued to dominate the racing. With the field together and unaffected by late race sprint primes, it was a game of silently watching and waiting to see who would make the first move. With one lap remaining, Mellow Mushroom - Rose Bandit’s trio of Laura Van Gilder, Kristen LaSasso and Scotti Wilborne owned the front with Van Gilder sitting third wheel.

Coming toward the line riders spread across the road while Gilder waited then popped to the right to come around current USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) leader Erica Allar (RideClean - Patentit.com) for the win. Emily Collins (VanderKitten - Focus) took the third step on the podium.

Results