Zirbel on the money in Elk Grove opener

Tom Zirbel (Bissell) won the richest time trial in America at the Tour of Elk Grove opener on Friday. Zirbel blasted over the seven-kilometre course in a time of 8:25 and taking away $4000, roughly $500 per minute of his time.

“I think it’s the exact same course but the US peloton is getting stronger and stronger,” said Zirbel, who beat his winning time last year by seven-seconds. “It was a good race for us. We put quite a few riders in the top 10. But even the sprinters who are 30 seconds back are still in the race.

“In all likely hood I’m not going to gain any seconds,” he added. “It’s just a matter of not getting time gapped and putting our other guys in position to win and eat up some time bonuses.”

Runner up Brent Bookwalter (BMC) missed out on the top prize by a mere one-second and third placed Karl Menzies (OUCH-Maxxis) finished four seconds back.

Bookwalter, who has placed second to Zirbel on several occasions, commended the stage winner on his performance. “Zirbel’s the man in the time trial’s this year, so if I have to come second I guess he’s the guy to get it to,” said Bookwalter. “We are known as a team of all-rounders and good time triallist. Our goal today was to give it all we could and I think everyone gave it full gas.”

Team Bissell and BMC placed several riders inside the top 10 which should ensure a tactical race as the stages progress. “The time bonuses are huge and the finish bonuses are really big so it will be a tactical race,” continued Bookwalter. “Zirbel may not be known as the most technically savvy rider but over the past year I have seen him improve ten-fold and I do not discount him for the overall.”

The opening time trial put mere seconds between each rider and the time bonuses make the overall title within reach between a mix of overall general classification riders and sprinters.

“I think everyone went into it wanting to come out with a good time,” Menzies said. “It’s so close of a race that everyone has to put in their best effort. I think anyone who rode in the top 30 is still in it for the overall. There are 20 seconds of bonuses just at the finish line.

“I think it’s kind of like a chicken and the egg thing,” added Menzies. “If you want to win money you gotta win time bonuses and you have to try to win the race. We are going to try to win the race and the money is a bonus.”

The Tour of Elk Grove will continue with a 156-kilometre circuit race, where time bonus will bring the sprinters out to play. There are a total of 26 seconds in bonuses available and each is attached to a large monetary value.