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Written by Monte Hamilton |
| Sunday, 03 June 2007 |
Commerce Bank Lancaster Classic
Grey skies and steady rain put a damper on the excitement of the Tom Bamford Lancaster (Penn.) Classic, the first race of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown. The first raindrops began falling during rider call-ups for the 85-mile (136.7 km) race.
Ivan Stevic, one of Toyota-United's best hopes for victory, experienced a breathing problem and had to drop out before the halfway point. Tammate Henk Vogels crashed but was able to continue. Also falling victim to the wet conditions was the Toyota-United Prius team car, which was rear-ended by another vehicle during the race.
click image to enlarge
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| The Toyota-United Team Bus strikes an imposing pose in downtown Lancaster, Penn. |
Inside the bus, the mood was light before the race. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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| Can you imagine Tiger Woods chatting it up with fans on the first tee? Henk Vogels doesn?t seem to mind. |
The smiles that were all around at rider call-ups would be gone minutes later when the rain began falling. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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| Even in a torrential downpour, Toyota-United?s Chris Wherry still looks like one cool customer behind those dark Tifosi glasses. |
Caleb Manion worked his way into an early 10-man breakaway that included Eric Baumann (T-Mobile) and UCI America Tour leader, Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).
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| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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The Toyota-United Prius Team Car had to service a flat tire by Manion. Thanks to a quick change, he made it back on. Two others who flatted in the break did not.
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Back in the pack, Jose Manuel ?Chepe? Garcia was riding like a lot of others ? in survival mode. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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| Wherry recorded Toyota-United?s best finish on the day, crossing the line in 63rd place. |
Vogels crashed, but continued on and finished 78th. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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| The first race of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown series will be remembered as a wet one. |
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| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 18 June 2007 ) |
