June 12/11 17:05 pm - Air Force Cycling Classic: Crystal Ride UPDATED

Posted by Editoress on 06/12/11
 

Results and report from today's Air Force Cycling Classic-Crystal Ride Criterium in Arlington, VA

Numainville takes 2nd to close out the Air Force Classic.

Joelle Numainville of Team TIBCO/To the Top nearly pulled off the sweep at the Air Force Cycling Classic, finishing 2nd today in the Crystal City Classic, the second race of the weekend. She finished just behind yesterday’s 2nd place finisher, Canadian Criterium Champion Leah Kirchmann. The two Canadians tied on points for the omnium, but the overall went to Kirchmann as today’s race served as the tie-breaker for the overall.

TIBCO’s Joanne Kiesanowski finished 5th today after taking 4th yesterday, and the consistent results were good enough to put her in 3rd overall for the omnium.

“The Team definitely rode a really good race today,” said Team Directeur Sportif Lisa Hunt. “Whenever there was an attack, they were always there. The girls were a lot more aggressive today, as well, forcing moves and just staying on top of everything.

In fact, Megan Guarnier was awarded Most Courageous Rider for her efforts today.

“It was another animated race, and there were lots of different breaks and combinations of people going off the front,” said Team Captain Meredith Miller. “There were several times when a break would stay off for a lap or two. I thought the break that I had at the end with Rushlee (Buchanan) maybe we would last.
Rachel Warner came across to us, and she went to the front and started driving the pace.

“But Rushlee and I both wanted our sprinters to come to the line today because they were the ones who had points toward the omnium. So we ended up sitting on. Then Tara (Whitten) and Lauren Hall came across. But Lauren was the only one in the group with points in the omnium so we didn’t want to bring her to the line either.”

Instead, with a little over a lap to go on the 2 km circuit, the group was back together, and the Team started setting up for the sprint.

Things got chaotic in the long sprint, where the finishing straight opens up more than 500 meters from the last corner.

“Joelle wasn’t feeling that great today, and it was really hot again,” Miller said. “Unfortunately, our lead-out wasn’t as organized as we’d have liked it. Joelle gave what she could today. She did well to finish second.”

The same squad heads to the upper Midwest, with Erinne Willock taking Tara Whitten’s spot, for the Nature Valley Grand Prix, which begins on Wednesday.
Report courtesy TIBCO/To the Top

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team sweeps the podium on final day of 2011 Air Force Classic, as Jake Keough, Hilton Clarke and Robert Förster take 1st, 2nd and 3rd

The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Jake Keough (USA), Hilton Clarke (AUS) and Robert Förster (GER) took first, second and third place respectively earlier today on the final day of the 2011 Air Force Classic in suburban Washington, D.C., replicating the squad’s 1-2-3 result from the Classic’s 2010 edition. Clarke’s second place finish as part of a Team UnitedHealthcare podium sweep today, combined with his first place finish in yesterday’s Clarendon Cup, enabled him to secure the overall race win. Teammate Karl Menzies (AUS) rounded out the top five, taking fifth place again this afternoon.

The red-hot Jake Keough continues to impress as well as deliver for the Blue Train from UnitedHealthcare this season. Clearly, the Massachusetts young gun has established himself as one to watch in the sport. Keough said of his win, “The Team was simply awesome today. The guys rode great and once we were inside 10 to go, we did everything we could to make sure nothing was getting away. Jonny (Clarke) was making the calls for the guys riding and did a tremendous job. The lead out got faster with each lap until the finish, where we were able to pull of the same result as last year, taking first, second and third.”

General Manager and Directeur Sportif, Mike Tamayo, said, “The boys continue to execute well and they did so again today. We’re pleased with the effort and the results. Our focus hasn’t changed – Teamwork and execution. Those are two of the keys, and when you are able to get eight men riding together and staying on strategy, good things often do and will happen.”
Report courtesy UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling