October 12/04 3:00 am - Team Symmetrics a North American Continental Team in 2005, A weekend of US `Cross

Posted by Editoress on 10/12/04
 

Symmetrics Cycling turns Professional in 2005
Courtesy Symmetrics Cycling

In its second year, Symmetrics Cycling raced 103 days, claiming 95 podium finishes with 41 victories including 2 National Championship titles. These impressive results left an indelible mark on the local, regional and national road racing circuits in 2004.

Symmetrics Cycling claimed victory in every British Columbia road cycling title: BC Road, BC Time Trial and BC Criterium for the second consecutive season. In addition, the team again brought home the SISU BC Cup Series title in both the individual and team events. Symmetrics Cycling will return in 2005 and has formally submitted their letter of intent with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as a North American Continental Team (formerly Division 3) under the new UCI Road Reform. This will allow Symmetrics entry into The Dodge Tour de Georgia, Wachovia Cycling Series including the USPRO Championships, and the T-Mobile International in San Francisco.

Symmetrics will complete its application and formal payment prior to the December 20th deadline as they finalize their roster for the upcoming season. Confirmed at this time for 2005 are returning riders Svein Tuft, Cam Evans, Will Routley, Marsh Cooper, and Andrew Pinfold. A final team roster will be announced in the near future.

Symmetrics Cycling Director, Jeremy Storie remarks on the year ahead:

"We established ourselves as a North American force to be reckoned with in 2004. For 2005, we have expanded our race plan and rounded out our team in a concerted effort to develop and highlight our young talent. Registering as a UCI Continental Team was the next logical progression for our team. Our riders will be given the opportunity to race in more of North America's premier events this coming season and we can raise the profile of our team and by extension our sponsors."

More about Symmetrics Cycling

The Symmetrics Cycling Team was established in the spring of 2002 and its vision is to develop the abilities of team members, promote the sport of cycling, and contribute to the community. The image of sport contains values very similar to those of co-sponsors Symmetrics, Westlam and Northern Feather DreamMakers: goodwill, team spirit, dedication, friendship and competition. All companies involved see the team as an opportunity to support these values, widen their brand recognition, and unite employees behind a cause. The Symmetrics Cycling Project is much more than just a select set of riders. The project is built on a strong team-oriented model, something that is often missing from both elite and amateur level cycling today. More experienced riders share their knowledge with less experienced team members, and in addition to racing, members are encouraged to assist in the team's operations and initiatives. It is Canada's largest sponsorship in the sport of cycling which includes a development team, women's team, men's professional team and the Cyclist for Charity program. The Symmetrics Cycling Project is fourpronged with a common foundation based upon the team's commitment to charitable and community projects.


USGP - Weekend Number 1
Report Courtesy Team Maxxis

The inaugural races of the Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cross series hit the Pacific Northwest this past weekend with back to back races in Portland and Seattle.

Saturday's Portland event was held under rainy skies, muddy and slippery conditions and in front of a screaming horde. The Alpenrose Velodrome and Dairy played host to yet another wonderful event that saw over 650 competitors in all categories. Team Maxxis-Giant was at 2/3 force with Geoff Kabush and Jonny Sundt in attendance and Adam Craig playing groomsman at a wedding. At the gun Kabush launched to the front, taking the hole shot on the day and winning the first lap prime of a superb bottle of wine. Teammate Sundt maintained the group behind, sitting in front and blocking for Kabush up the road. Sundt eventually lost the battle as former World Champ Daniele Pontoni (Selle Italia) took up the chase and eventually the lead in the race. The peanut butter mud sucked the energy from the riders as Kabush settled into second place with a small chase group began closing the gap. With three laps remaining, Kabush was caught by Marc Gullickson (Redline) and then Carl Decker (Giant-Pearl Izumi) and the foursome worked together in vain to catch the Italian escapee. As the pace picked up anticipating a sprint finish, the Canadian popped off the back of the group leaving Gullickson to claim second place behind Pontoni. Decker rolled across the line in third and Sundt in a solid 8th place on the day.

With a venue change to Tacoma, WA, Sunday's race day was treated to warm temperatures and sunny skies. With the infamous Knapp Time run-up, Steilacoom Park is a notorious venue that provides unrelenting efforts and beautiful views across the Puget Sound. The entire Maxxis-Giant contingent was on hand with a fresh Adam Craig arriving on the red eye flight from Reno.

At the starting pistol the group charged down the asphalt road with an hour of anaerobic effort ahead of them. Geoff Kabush and Adam Craig immediately latched onto a breakaway group of 8 riders, distancing themselves from the chase and opening a small gap. Teammate Sundt saw the move and positioned himself at the head of the group, marking all riders and slowing the response. This group remained together for nearly half of the race with Kabush and Craig lending their horsepower to the success of the group. As Craig took his turn at the front, he pushed his acceleration a bit and immediately opened a small gap. With no response from his fellow agitators, the Maxxis-Giant rider increased the pressure and slowly rolled to a 42 second advantage. At three laps to go, a small group tried to chase down the escapee with Kabush sitting on their wheel, policing their effort and disturbing the cycle as much as possible. The gap continued to hover as Craig drilled the flats and coasted the descents. On the bell lap, Kabush
Stumptown GP - Portland, Oregon (Saturday October 9)

Men
1. Daniele Pontoni (Ita) Selle Italia
2. Marc Gullickson (USA) Redline
3. Carl Decker (USA) Giant-Pearl Izumi
4. Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis-Giant
5. Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) Specialized
6. Mark McCormack (USA) Clif Bar - Colavita
7. Barry Wicks (USA) Kona
8. Erik Tonkin (USA) Kona
9. Bart Gellespie (USA) Biogen-Idec
10. Brandon Dwight (USA) TIAA-CREF- Clif Bar

Women
1. Ann Knapp (USA) Kona
2. Gina Hall (USA) Missing Link
3. Rhonda Mazza (USA) Vanilla-S&M
4. Josie Beggs (USA) Starbucks Dubbleshot
5. Wendy Simms (Can) Front Runners-Steed Cycles East
6. Christine Vardaros (USA) Velo Bella
7. Sarah Kerlin (USA) Velo Bella
8. Hilary Daniels (USA) Hunter Cycles
9. Kristi Berg (USA) Bicycle Centers
10. Brigette Stoick (USA) Veloshop

Clif Bar GP - Fort Steilacoom Park, Tacoma, WA (Sunday October 10th)

Men
1. Adam Craig (USA) Maxxis-Giant, 1:01:31
2. Mark McCormack (USA) Clif Bar-Colavita Olive Oil at 0:20
3. Geoff Kabush (Can), Maxxis-Giant, 0:21
4. Marc Gullickson (USA) Redline, 0:22
5. Carl Decker (USA) Giant-Pearl Izumi, 0:23
6. Barry Wicks (USA) Kona, 0:49
7. Eric Tonkin, (USA) Kona, 0:50
8. Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona, 1:06
9. Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) Specialized, 1:34
10. Daniele Pontoni (Ita), Selle Italia, 1:40

Women
1. Gina Hall (USA) Missing Link, 40:59
2. Sarah Kerlin, (USA) Velo Bella at 0:12
3. Barbara Howe, (USA) Velo Bella, s.t.
4. Rhonda Mazza (USA) Vanilla-S&M, 0:31
5. Wendy Simms (Can) Front Runners-Steed Cycles East, 0:35
6. Josie Beggs (USA) Starbucks Doubleshot, 0:38
7. Ann Knapp (USA) Kona, 1:09
8. Alison Baumhefner, (USA) ABS, 1:30
9. Megan Monroe (USA) at 1:39
10. Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) Dansko Wheelworks, 1:39