May 8/11 11:32 am - US Speedweek: Dilworth Criterium, Men

Posted by Editoress on 05/8/11
 

Travieso Takes Dilworth Win

Frank Travieso (RealCyclist) took a decisive win in the 38th annual Dilworth Criterium, the penultimate event in the 2011 USA CRITS Speedweek series. The sprinter out-gunned four other breakaway companions on a tough uphill drag to the finish after 75 minutes of hard fought racing.

After being just one lap away from victory earlier in the week at the Downtown Walterboro criterium, Frank Travieso was able to turn the tables on the dominant UnitedHealthcare squad in Dilworth. The Cuban-born speedster made a decisive move during the final half of the race that turned out to be crucial. Travieso bridged across to the trio of Emerson Oronte (Jelly Belly), Christian Helmig (ELBOWZ Racing), and Raymond Kreder (Chipolte Development Team) who were in desperate pursuit of UnitedHealthcare's Boy Van Poppel.

"When I saw the other three guys, I knew I had to go, so I jumped hard."

Travieso joined the chasers and with three laps to go, helped them catch Van Poppel. This put him in good stead for the finale, but the characteristics of the nearly one mile course weren't necessarily to his advantage.

"The climb to the finish is very very hard and long, so I had to go early to have a chance at making it."

Travieso did just that, and beat Kreder to the line by a tenth of a second.

The individual standings are tight. UnitedHealthcare's Jake Keough holds only a four-point advantage over teammate Hilton Clarke and Carlos Alzate who are tied for 2nd place. Keough's squad though has a much healthier margin, however, in the team standings.