RACE REPORT
CSC Invitational, Arlington, VA
June 3, 2006
Hopefully, Priority Health Cycling Team got a year's worth of bad luck and crashes out of their system in the CSC Invitational criterium in Arlington, VA. Eluding most catastrophies, brothers Robbie and Ted King were Priority Health's last survivors in what is one of the most difficult crits of the NRC calendar. Four of the five corners are sharper than 90 degrees on CSC's course, which is fought out during 100, one-kilometer laps. With Pro-Tour's Team CSC present, and all North American pro teams bringing their A-game, it's a fast race.
Early on, Brent Bookwalter bridged up to Brad Huff (TIAA-CREF ) , and Hilton Clark (Navigators Insurance ) joined them to form a long lasting breakaway which held roughly 30 seconds on the field, lap after lap, relieving the pressure on Priority Health riders in the pack.
After about 40 laps, Eddy Hilger was the victim of our first wreck and broke his pelvis. (Eddy, we miss you, and wish you a fast recovery!) Many laps later, Brent crashed out of the break and the race with plenty of road rash and a broken wheel. And finally in the closing laps, adding insult to injury, Rich bounced out of a pothole into a curb and went down, and out to the hospital for stitches. We're happy to report the second two injuries won't keep the guys off the bikes.
Between those collisions and the general attrition, Priority Health had two riders remaining among 25 left of the decimated 130 racer field. Robbie managed to wind it up in the final lap and placed 11th, and Ted hanging tough for 23rd.
