July 10...
Gonzalo Tagliabue took the win
today in a crazy sprint finish during Stage 1
of the Gate City Grind in Pocatello, Idaho. There
was plenty of action and
tough competition with many riders and teams from Utah,
Montana and Wyoming there.
Stage one was a Road race circuit
that featured some climbs but mainly
rolling terrain. The team had set a plan to protect
Matt Weyen and also stay alert for any opportunistic moves.
iomega-Orbea's Justin Mayfield was seen at the front
keeping the race together most of the day setting a steady
yet tough tempo most of the day.
Lap 3 saw Esteban Jukich ride
off the front with the company of four other
riders and they managed to be the biggest breakaway of the
day lasting very close to a full lap off the front only
to be caught. The very hot tempatures and the packs
relentless pursuit also caused a split in the field on the
very next lap. Last rider to make the split was Weyen
who just managed to bridge up and make the split. Not
so fortunate was Eric
Ransom who was caught sleeping at the back of the pack and
later couldn't jump across.
The field then just by attrition
was reduced to about a dozen riders of which
included Tagliabue, Weyen, Jukich and Mayfield of iomega-Orbea,
Milton
Wynants and Agustin Margaleff of the Uruguayan National
team, a few riders from team Healthy Choice out of Utah
and a mix of others.
Mayfield comes off as he worked all day to keep the group
intacked and rolled it to the finish from there. Ahead
the remaining riders turned into a stiff headwind to the
finish. All started to look over their shoulder to
play cat and mouse to see who would take the lead out to
the finish. After a few unsuccessful moves, it looked
like a sprint finish on a narrow road.
With 200 meters to go, Sandy Perrins of Healthy Choice leads
it out with
Tagliabue Margalef and Jukich right behind. Perrins
swings to the left with 100 meters to go and Tagliabue dives
right as Margalef tries to come around Perrins on the left.
After some bumping and pushing
they cross the line with Tagliabue in first, Margaleff in
second, Perrins 3rd, Jukich fourth. Milton Wynants
who was boxed in and almost taken out by the swerving sprint,
finished 8th.
June 10...
Weyen makes it two for two
for iomega-Orbea at Gate City Grind!
Matt Weyen drilled a near record individual Time trial time
to win the second
stage of the Gate City grind. Matt moved up to second
place overall. Great
ride Matt! Weyen went on to finish second overall
for the 3 stage two day
event.
June 11...
iomega-Orbea shows solidarity
After yesterday's stage one win, in which there was some
rough riding there
at the end...it resulted in some unsportsman like behavior
and threats from
other teams towards riders from iomega-Orbea. We raced
tough and for the win.
Not to lower its standards and
themselves to that level, team manager Gary
Casella gathered everyone to cool their jets. It was
decided collectivly that the team would withdraw from the
race and leave Matt back to whip the remaining racers in
the Time Trial.... which he did.
It was a great show of team solidarity
and of integrity.
Bicycle racing at this high level
is competitive, yet no one wants to be
threatened or verbally abused. Everyone wants to win
and it gets really serious sometimes. In the spirit
of good sportsmanship, one must also be a good sportsman,
set an example and behave like a professional. Adrenaline
flows and blood boils over and tempers flair but it is Team
iomega-Orbea's stand to always maintain a high standard
of sportsmanship.
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