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Written by Monte Hamilton |
| Sunday, 02 September 2007 |
USA Cycling Professional Championship Road Race
Sept. 2 ? Greenville, S.C.
For the second straight year, Greenville, S.C., hosted the USA Cycling Pro Championship Road Race. The weather couldn't have been better, either, with sunny skies and no rain. The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team was also hoping a perfect performance would deliver a win in the 110-mile race.
click image to enlarge
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| Before the race, Toyota-United?s Burke Swindlehurst (left) catches up with Discovery Channel?s Levi Leipheimer, who would go on to win the race. |
Lyne Lamoureux of Daily Peloton interviews Chris Wherry. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| An unusually relaxed Chris Baldwin was all smiles at the sign in. |
Wherry gives a little face time to Emmy award-winning TV producer Kent Gordis (right). |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Then it?s time for Wherry to give a kiss to his wife, Melissa, before making his way to the start. |
A total of 114 riders started the 110-mile race. Only 30 would make it to the finish. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Wherry (left), winner of the national road race championship in 2005, helped by Baldwin for much of the race. |
The Toyota-United Prius Team Car drew its share of attention. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Justin England was suffering from a lingering cold. |
Baldwin, followed by Bobby Julich (CSC), sets the tempo on the climb up Paris Mountain. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| These guys won?t be mistaken for the Specialized Angel. |
On the third of four trips up the mountain, Leipheimer attacked and only Baldwin followed. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Over the top of the last climb, Swindlehurst led the chase to catch Leipheimer. |
England was dropped on the final climb and would finish in 28th place. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Swindlehurst attacked repeatedly once the race reached the final three downtown circuits. |
Just behind the front chase group, Wherry covered attacks to help Swindlehurst try to stay away. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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When defending champion George Hincapie (left) launched his own late-race attack, Swindlehurst was in position to follow.
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But ultimately, Swindlehurst would be left to finish on his own in 10th place. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Wherry rolled across the line in 22nd place. |
Interviewed by Cyclingnews? North American editor Mark Zalewski, Wherry said it was a hard race. |
| Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
Photos ©snortingbullphoto.com |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 03 September 2007 ) |
