Stage 1: Race Report
From Cycling Team Manager, Mark Olson:
Day one went well. The boys rode well and now their legs are loosened up for the battle that is going to take place all week. Like Tour of California, the best of the best are here in full force.
The race started out with a bang and the attacks came one after another. There was a very strong tail wind so the race ripped along at 30 plus mph for most of the day. VERY FAST! Emile won the sprint and grabbed the point and the time bonus. The time bonus would be very significant at the end of the day.
After numerous failed breaks, a group of five guys slipped away. The break of five would ride all day off the front with everyone thinking it would get pulled back. But the break rode very well and with the tail wind pushing them that break would stick and the winning of the day would come out of that.
When the field entered the tough finishing circuits, chaos took over, the pace quickened to 35 mph. It was full on! Into the first corner going a bit too hot was our own Garrett Peltonen, he hit the deck HARD! He got himself up (a bit bloody) and finished under the time cut with no problems…
The race finished with a field kick and Ben had Emile on his wheel after Scott Zwizanski (Zwizer) put them both into position with a super effort. Through the bashing and crashing at the front Ben and Emile were pushed out of a good clean shot at the front and finished in the bunch.
All of the boys did well. In fact, Rich England is back with us from Australia and road day one very well. He had some bad luck which led him to need a double bike change. He spent a lot of the day chasing back on the field.
Omer rode well protecting our leaders from cross winds all day long and our newest team member from Australia, Cameron Wurf, rode his first big tour day very well.
Day Two starts in a few hours; you should already have your browsers cued up to watch!!!!
More tomorrow!!!!!
Mark Olson
Team Manager
Priority Health Cycling Team Presented by Bissell
c 269-491-2526
o 269-664-6912
f 269-216-4071
