|
Written by Monte Hamilton |
| Sunday, 10 June 2007 |
Commerce Bank International Championship ? Philadelphia June 10, 2007
Exceptionally comfortable weather conditions set the stage for the fastest edition of the Pro Cycling Tour International Championship Sunday in Philadelphia. With nearly ideal weather conditions, the 150-strong peloton averaged 27.6 mph speed for the 156-mile race to better the course record, established by Toyota-United rider Henk Vogels in 2000.
click image to enlarge
|
|
|
|
| Caleb Manion, the team?s top finisher in the Reading Classic, was prepared for a long day in the saddle. |
The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team?s Camry ? featuring the Hybrid Synergy Drive - was on display in the expo booth. |
|
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
| Hundreds of fans signed up for the Toyota-United fan club and received a free cow bell, along with a chance to win a ride in the Prius Team Car. |
Former Philadelphia champion Chris Wherry gets a kiss from his fiance Melissa before heading off to the start.
|
|
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
 |
|
| Three Toyota-United riders were called up at the start: 2000 race winner Henk Vogels (left), 2005 race winner Chris Wherry (center) and Serbian National Champion Ivan Stevic. |
The pack was all together the first time up the Manayunk Wall. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com
|
|
|
| Chris Wherry was part of an early breakaway. |
In the peloton, Sean Sullivan monitored the chase, which was led by the Navigators Insurance Cycling Team. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
| Wherry?s group built a 90-second lead before it was caught. |
Stefano Barberi (left), who competed in this race in 2005, said the pace was considerably faster this time. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
| Caleb Manion (center) and Stevic (right) were sitting comfortably near the front of the peloton at the midpoint of the race. |
But a couple laps later, Stevic had to chase back (with the help of teammate Heath Blackgrove) after crashing hard. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
|
|
| Meanwhile, up front, Manion was getting ready to cover a break that was full of firepower. |
Stevic roared through the field and straight ahead to the break, his pride damaged more than his body or bike. |
|
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
With Stevic and Manion in the break, and two other teams with two representatives, it looked like this escape would be the decisive one of the race.
The chasing efforts of two teams reeled in the breakaway, but Manion was not finished. He attacked again in a short-lived solo break. |
Into the final three-mile finishing circuits, the strain of the 27 mph pace was beginning to show on the face of Sullivan.
|
|
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
 |
|
| With the sun having broken through the clouds and more than 140 miles covered, the climb up Lemon Hill was a tough one. |
As the final sprint winds up, a rider in the pack loses control? |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com
|
|
|
| ?and riders like Sean Sullivan (left) and Chris Wherry (right) are forced to brake? |
?and take evasive action as more riders hit the pavement. |
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
|
|
| Vogels rolls across the finish line in 13th, frustrated at losing out at the opportunity to contest the final sprint. |
Manion crosses the finish line a few seconds after the main pack, one of six Toyota-United riders to finish the race.
|
| Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
Charles M. Herskowitz/SnortingBullPhoto.com |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 June 2007 ) |
