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Written by Monte Hamilton |
| Saturday, 24 March 2007 |
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March 24: 23rd Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic Saturday?s Stage 2 criterium was uneventful for the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team. When a group of five riders broke away 40 minutes into the 90-minute race, the team was content to let it go, as none of the five was a threat to overtake Justin England?s second place overall. In the end, Rory Sutherland (Health Net presented by Maxxis) out-sprinted his breakaway companions to earn the stage win.
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| One of the favorites to win the criterium, Ivan Dominguez (right) could only watch from the sidelines in street clothes after missing the time cut in Friday?s stage. With him are Toyota-United Team Owner Sean Tucker (left) and teammate Caleb Manion. |
Ivan Stevic is all smiles having teammate Chris Wherry with him at the front of the start line. |
| photo © Veronika Lenzi |
photo © Veronika Lenzi |
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Toyota-United?s impressive lineup earned it three spots on the front row of the field: Justin England (left), who is in second place overall, Ivan Stevic (in white) for being the Serbian national champion and Chris Wherry (far right) as one of two former Redlands champions in the race.
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Burke Swindlehurst is one of five Toyota-United riders in the top 25 overall. He sits 19th, 2:14 out of the lead. |
| photo © Veronika Lenzi |
photo © Veronika Lenzi |
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| Justin England focused on holding onto his second place overall, just seven seconds out of first. |
Henk Vogels rode with thoughts of other than the race on his mind. Earlier in the day, he learned of the death of fellow Australian Damian McDonald. The 1994 Commonwealth Games road cycling gold medalist was killed in a car accident in Melbourne on Friday. |
| photo © Veronika Lenzi |
photo © Veronika Lenzi |
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| Chris Baldwin rode to stay out of trouble on the 1.6 km highly technical, tight nine-turn course. |
After a breakaway group of five escaped the field, Toyota-United worked hard to keep the gap from growing too large. |
| photo © Veronika Lenzi |
photo © Veronika Lenzi |
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| Ivan Stevic is having a great race. He is 1:26 out of the lead in ninth place. |
Sean Sullivan (left) was Toyota-United?s highest-placed finisher Saturday, crossing the line in 22nd place, one spot ahead of teammate Ivan Stevic (in white). |
photo © Veronika Lenzi
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photo © Veronika Lenzi
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 January 2008 ) |
