September 8/08 10:46 am - Tour of Missouri: Stage 1 full results and Interview with Dom Rollin

Posted by Editoress on 09/8/08
 

Tour of Missouri

Report by Amy Smolens

Toyota-United's Dominique Rollin is known as a fast sprinter and a hard man, but during tomorrow's Stage 2 of the Tour of Missouri he will be wearing the Michelob Ultra King of the Mountain Leader's jersey. He won the early KOM, a perfect power climb for him, ten miles outside of St. Joseph, Missouri. He got a lock on the jersey by winning the day's other KOM on the first circuit in downtown Kansas City.

I spoke to Dominique briefly after he had swigged from his bottle of Michelob Ultra on the podium.

Amy Smolens: How was that beer?

Dominique Rollin: Aaahhh.... (chuckles) It's an American beer!

AS: So how do you end up with the KOM jersey?

DR: I just wanted to open up the legs, see where things are. I ended up in a good place at a good moment so I might as well go and have some fun.

AS: Do you plan on working to hang onto the jersey?

DR: Ah, we'll see how things go, it's not our first priority but if we can keep it then it would be great. We're still looking for a stage win - it didn't happen today, someone took (Toyota-United sprinter) Ivan (Dominguez) out in the finish so I ended up leading out (stage winner Mark) Cavendish - that's quite disappointing because he doesn't need a leadout (laughs.)

AS: You really made a name for yourself last year here in this race with 3rd overall - are you expecting big things again here this year?
 DR: Sure, looking for something good to say goodbye to the crowds. It's the last race for Toyota-United so it would be good to leave in the same way that Discovery did last year (George Hincapie won the GC) so we'll sure be showing the jersey for the last time and just have a great time here at the Tour of Missouri.