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Written by Monte Hamilton |
| Saturday, 07 April 2007 |
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April 7: U.S. Open Championships Richmond, Virginia The inaugural edition of the US Open Cycling Championships received national attention, thanks to two-and-a-half hours of coverage on NBC. The 113-mile race started in a snowstorm in Williamsburg, Va., and finished under sunny skies in the capital city of Richmond. Toyota-United figured prominently in the action throughout, putting riders in breakaways and leading a frantic, last-lap chase. (Missing photos will be uploaded shortly)
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| Several riders used plastic wrap to insulate their socks from the bone-chilling cold. |
Ivan Stevic grabs a few more energy bars before heading out. |
| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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| The snow had Ivan Dominguez thinking of warmer weather in Southern California. |
A veteran of many European classics, Henk Vogels didn?t seem bothered by the adverse weather. |
| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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| Stevic enjoyed the ingenuity by soigneur Reed McCalvin, who used surgical gloves as an additional insulator. |
The snow reminded Justin England of many an off-season training ride in Boulder, Colo. |
| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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| Chris Wherry was just fine with blowing snow that delayed the start by more than an hour. |
More than 150 riders started the second event of the USA Cycling Professional Tour. |
| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Dominguez spent more than two laps in a breakaway group.
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Stevic was a workhorse all day, chasing down several breakaways.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Wherry conserved his energy in the early part of the race to be fresh at the end.
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England helped shadow riders from Navigators and Slipstream Sports.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Sullivan made several trips between the team car and the peloton to shuttle clothing, food and water.
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Stevic finds himself sandwiched between a pair of Symmetrics riders.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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The climb up Libby Hill isn?t very long, but it is fairly steep.
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Sean Sullivan slowed the peloton as it reached the base of Libby Hill while Dominguez?s group was up the road.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Stevic and sponsor Toyota-United get some face time from the TV coverage.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Manion was bundled to ward off the wind chill, which plunged into the 20s thanks to nearly 30 mph wind gusts.
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After more than four hours of racing, Vogels sprinted to a 12th place finish.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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Dominguez was already replaying the race in his head as he crossed the finish line.
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| photo © Charles M. Herskowitz |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 January 2008 ) |
