Toyota-United’s Hilton Clarke Wins Stage 1, Secures 2nd Place Overall at Tour of Elk Grove
Heath Blackgrove wins Denver Federal Center Classic in Colorado
Chris Baldwin wins Mike Nield’s Memorial Bannock Criterium in Denver, Colorado
(August 5, 2008)
Race report filed by Toyota-United Pro
Bend, OR – With this past weekend’s three wins, The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team broke their previous record of 55 wins for a season set in 2006, the team’s first year. To date, the team has 56 wins with two months remaining in the 2008 season. “I am so proud of the team this year. I can’t even believe we are on the verge of breaking 60 wins in one season. I know it’s a point of pride to win as many races as we can this year to say thank you to Toyota since they have been such a great sponsor these past three years,” said Team Owner, Sean Tucker.
Tour of Elk Grove boasts the largest prize purse of the year at $170,000. The boys from Toyota-United went into the race weekend with hopes of snatching up as much of that prize purse as possible. Friday’s 4.5 mile Prologue didn’t exactly start out how the team had planned with the team’s top GC hopeful, Ben Day breaking a piece of equipment on his bike at the start line, switching to a spare bike, and finishing dead last. The team’s best place riders on the day were Dominique Rollin in 7th place and Hilton Clarke in 21st place, 23 seconds back from race winner, Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling Team). However, Stage 1, which consisted of a 150 kilometer dead flat, windy race, showed just how much a team’s fortune can change in a day. After a split in the peloton early in the race, Hilton Clarke found himself over three minutes off the leaders pace in the last group with overall leader, Tom Zirbel, and second place overall Chris Horner (Astana). “The race was so bloody hard with guys attacking left and right and the next thing I know, I find myself in a small group of riders that included the first and second place overall riders. We were three minutes back. I felt totally dejected and was about to quit the race, when all of a sudden, Chris Horner went to the front of the group and rode like a madman and single handedly brought us back to the front of the race. Next thing I know, my entire Toyota-United teammates are leading me out in the final kilometer and I win the race…unbelievable!” said Clarke.
The roller coaster ride continued in stage 2 which was the final race on Sunday consisting of a 110 kilometer criterium. Clarke was nursing a two second lead over 2nd place David Veilleux (Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast). With multiple time bonuses on offer during the race and hefty time bonuses for the top three finishers, Toyota-United had their work cut out for them. The team rode at the front of the race to control it, attempting to set Hilton up for the win and maintain his slim lead. With Veilleux at 2 seconds, Zirbel at 3 seconds along with four other riders in position to win with time bonus sprints on the line it was a tough task. A break of six developed immediately, gaining one minute. The boys rode it back to 25 seconds and then kept a break matching time for the next 2 hours and 20 minutes. With two to go they brought the break back and a few teams attempted to lead it out, but Kelly took control on the last lap and gapped Dominique Rollin and Hilton Clarke in the last corner. Veilleux took 2nd place and the 12 second time bonus and thus, a 10 second GC win over Hilton. Zirbel was able to finish in the group and hold on to his 3rd place on GC.
2008 Final Results Tour of Elk Grove:
1 David Veilleux (Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast) 6.39.29
2 Hilton Clarke (Toyota) 0.10
3 Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) 0.13
Meanwhile, back in the Mile High city, Heath Blackgrove won Saturday’s Denver Federal Center Classic, a 40- mile, flat, circuit race. Blackgrove was part of a six-man breakaway group that stayed away to the finish. With a half a mile to go, two riders separated from the other four, attempting to steal the race. However, Blackgrove was able to get across to them at 200 meters to go and blew right past them for the win, his second of the season. “It was good for my confidence to get another win, since I’ve been helping my teammates win all season long,” said Blackgrove.
In Sunday’s Bannock Criterium, Heath Blackgrove and Justin England partnered with teammate Chris Baldwin to make it two wins in a row in Denver. The three riders were contesting one of the longest running and biggest criteriums in Colorado. Approximately 30 minutes into the race a break of five developed with Chris Baldwin along. The group stayed away until the finish and Baldwin delivered the win, his third of the season.
Next up for Toyota-United is this weekend’s Rochester Classic, a three-day race in upstate New York.
In addition, Toyota-United’s UCI B World Road Champion, Ivan Stevic, will compete on August 9th in the Olympic Road Race in Beijing, China.
For rider, staff interviews or general information, please contact:
Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team:
Sean P. Tucker
Office: 541-318-8491
Cell: 541-390-5981
sean@toyota-united.com
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