|
* 35+ “New troops to help” First Independence day race battle
started by the arrival of GS Palm Beach team to help Greg
Cousins conquer yellow. Since the battle for the white jersey
was already sealed by Jose Armas, no worries about forming
breakaways right after a prime. A very well controlled bunch by
Z’s bike team killed any attempts from Z Motion and Team Paisa
to create breaks. Many of the current cyclists in South Florida
do not know Rainiel Sanchez is, but I remember when He started
racing as junior 20 something years ago, we saw him grow up as
one of the strongest sprinters in Florida. He showed us his
strength by winning Pro 1, 2 race at the famous Coconut Grove
Race many years ago, that day Ivan Basso was among the
participant racers. Jonet Hernandez, Julio Rojas and Chris Hoch
from GS Palm Beach team couldn’t crumble the fort commanded by
Alex Zambrana and Jorge Cortes from Z’s Bike Team, therefore
Sanchez goes to the hall of fame as winner of series two. A very
quit team, Sun Cycling but also with a strong sprinter, Raul
Diaz, was able to claim second place today and second overall,
moving Cousins to third place in GC.
* 45+ “How did we get caught?” That was the question of
the day by Peter Carlos from Team Paisa. Strong breakaway formed
by seven riders in the first ten minutes of the race. About five
laps to go they were about to be caught, why? The answer was
simple; none of the top contenders were there and they were not
ready to settle the series as it was. The chase was initiated by
Bike America team under Ailton DeSouza’s wing, followed by Peter
Aldridge from Z motion team, to give the final push. In the
absence of strong power house to lead the final sprint, the race
was open for any one. Unfortunately DeSouza stopped pedaling
sooner, a few meters before the finish line. When Wallie
Martinez from Big Wheel Team saw that, gave stronger stroke to
his pedals to win the race and one more place at the hall of
fame as winner of series two. So far both series are in his
packet. Second and third place in the overall classification
were for bike America, one if not the strongest team in the
forty five plus category but not yet able to get into yellow.
Wills Powell ended six points behind Martinez and ahead of
DeSouza by eight points. Javier Ortiz from Ghost Riders Team
won the sprinters white jersey, without the need of getting any
points today, by saving his sprinter power, He claimed forth
place in today’s battle.
* Pro 1, 2, 3. “Honored by World Record Holder”
Independence Day gave as two visitors, Gene Samuel from Trinidad
and Tobago. 1992 was the year, and Cali Colombia the place where
He broke the one kilometer world record. The other pleasant
surprise was the winner of today’s race Frank Travieso. Gant
Potter and his army came down to hammer the pro 1,2,3 race.
Strong breakaway from eight riders formed, three laps to go
Miguel Puldon, Alex Zambrana and Victor Herrera jumped from the
bunch and started closing the gap. One lap to go Zambrana in
third place overall connected to the front group, unfortunately
no time to recover to contest the final sprint. Hector Pastorino,
Leonardo Martinez and Gustavo Rullo from Team Cocos, were also
in the break, apparently they had total control of the end
result of the series, as the dominating team they were able to
maintain their leader Pastorino in yellow. Alex Zambrana kept
the sprinter’s white jersey of series two. Yusvany Falcon was in
second place overall for both jerseys with a good chance to
claim a place in the hall of fame for ether one. Unfortunately
He could not make today’s race.
* 4&5 “Two for the price of one” One of the most
difficult tasks is to get both jerseys in the same series. We
predicted it may happen, and it did. Manuel Caso was able to
pull a trick and without wearing ether one, He was able to win
both of them. By getting five out six points available in the
two intermediate sprints took the white jersey from Alfonso
Hamlet. Jake Silverberg was the one in yellow, unfortunately He
could not place within the points today, but Caso won the race
and from forth place before the race jumped to first to get back
into yellow. Blow Gregg was in second place overall but did not
race today, moving to third, leaving second place to Jake in the
general classification.
|
