April 3/05 11:22 am - Poolgel Redlands Bicycle Classic: Team Symmetrics report

Posted by Editoress on 04/3/05
 

Poolgel Redlands Bicycle Classic Redlands CA
Report Courtesy Team Symmetrics

Erker in Mountains Jersey, Wohlberg in 5th GC
Day three of the 2005 Poolgel Redlands Bicycle Classic featured the 90 minute criterium held on a 1.6 km, 9 turn downtown Redlands course. The mission of our team today was to not lose any time and keep Eric in 5th GC spot. An added bonus of the day was Jake (Erker) was in the Red Climbers jersey. Jake is actually in second place in the competition but race leader Chris Wherry, also top climber cannot wear both so this then gets put onto the shoulders of the second place rider. There were no climbers points today so Jake will start in red tomorrow and our aim is to put him in the jersey for good at the conclusion of tomorrows hard stage with 5 Mountain sprints.

The criterium was pretty uneventful for our boys today who stayed out of trouble. Alex Candalario of Jelly Belly was involved in an early crash where he broke his scapula. This is too bad as Alex is one of the characters of the peloton and he is out of the race and Tour of Georgia as well. Danny Pate of Jelly Belly had a good solo go of it for about 20 minutes trying to stay away for the middle distance time bonus but was caught. The race ended in a bunch finish with Colavita's J.J. Haedo taking the win.

Sunday's Sunset loop road race will be a nutbuster. Our aim is to get Jake some early Climbers points to secure the jersey for him and hold on to or improve on Eric's GC postion. These will both be tough tasks but we are game and will give it our best shot.

After the race it will be Redbull's for the drivers as we start out on the gumball rally to get back to the Great White North for our own beds.