July 19/06 12:07 pm - Symmetrics dominates White Rock!

Posted by Editoress on 07/19/06
 

Symmetrics dominates White Rock!
Courtesy Team Symmetrics

Yellow-and-Black Sweep White Rock, Pinner Wins Overall

Photos

The S-Team continued its unbeaten streak in BC Super Week tonight-sweeping the Tour of White Rock after Langley's Svein Tuft soloed to an impressive victory in the criterium. In the women's event, Leah Goldstein rode to a solid fourth, keeping her in the running for the overall omnium.

Symmetrics began the weekend with Cam Evans continuing his comeback year with a win in the hillclimb, outkicking Ryan Hopping (Redbike) and Masi Adobe's Jordan Guenette. In the women's, Leah Goldstein took a strong second behind Canada's newest phenom Alexandra Wrubleski (H&R Block), with Alison Testroete (CMC/Bow Cycle) taking third.

The men continued the victory streak with Andrew “Pinner” Pinfold taking a glorious solo in the White Rock RR. Normally the bunch sprinter, Pinner decided to mix things up by attacking the break with plenty of time to spare over Evans and Trek's up-and-coming star, Jackson Buehler. The women's race saw a near repeat of the hill climb, with Wrubleski out kicking Goldstein, with Clare Hall-Patch (Oak Bay Bikes) coming in third.

The final day of competition came last night in downtown White Rock. The women's 27km race began fast and furious, with some aggressive riding by the Yellow-and-Black women. Marni Hambleton and Mandy Poitras took turns in the early going, both instigating and covering the moves by the strong Velo Bella team. It was ultimately Canada's newest phenom, the 22-year-old and recently crowned National Champion Alex Wrubleski that stole the show. “It's not often you say this, but today we could see early on that the race was for second,” team co-owner Kevin Cunningham explained afterwards. “She rode at the front the whole time, going with all the right moves and ultimately, putting in a fantastic effort into the final corner.” Goldstein, aiming to keep her second overall at the overall omnium at the Tour of White Rock, did just so, after taking fourth in the crit.

The men's race, 60 laps of the tough .9km circuit with a sharp climb on the back side, was aggressive from the get-go. With the numbers on the S-Team side, the squad made sure to not only cover, but also create moves throughout the race. The only no-show for the team was three-time Olympian Eric Wohlberg, who was under the weather with some food poisoning. “I think I ate a turkey wrap the other day that didn't quite agree with me and I had some problems with my stomach,” Wohlberg explained. “I feel quite a bit better now but decided to skip the race to rest up for Gastown. But I'm really proud of the guys for such a great race.”

The American team Navigators Insurance did its best to rain on Symmetrics' parade, thwarting several attempts at S-Team-dominated breakaways. But each time a break was caught, Symmetrics would launch more riders up the road, taking many of the cash prizes-primes-that were awarded during the race.

Downtown White Rock was especially generous, with many of the locals donating cash to many primes-with the highest individual prime at $550 dollars-taken handily by Brad Fairall with four laps to go. This move was even more important as it set up a beautiful attack by Svein Tuft, countering a surprised and exhausted field. Tuft launched a strong acceleration that saw him past Fairall and keep on going through the finish line.

With one to go, Tuft had created a 15-second gap and it was clear the race was his. Coming to the finish, the three-time National Time Trial Champion received a hero's applause and had plenty of time to sit up and enjoy it.

A small move launched off the pack that saw Andrew Pinner take second, team R.A.C.E's Ryan Roth in third and Jake Erker in fourth.

“I knew that if I really gunned it after we caught Brad, that I could hold it. This course is a tough one but it's good for me-so I just put my head down and gave it up the climb, and didn't even look back,” Tuft said. “It's always great to win but it's even sweeter here-I hope we can keep the streak going through Wednesday.”

With Pinner's second place, the North Vancouver rider took the overall White Rock victory. “I was really happy after my win yesterday but taking the overall is even sweeter,” a beaming Pinner said afterwards. BC Superweek continues this Wednesday with the Tour of Gastown.