March 27, 2010, Redlands, CA – The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis took control of the Stage 2 Redlands Criterium in the final 10 laps and delivered sprinters Jake Keough and Andrew Pinfold to 2nd and 3rd in the sprint.
“The guys executed really well today,” said Team directeur sportif Gord Fraser. They were really dialed in, they took control and executed a lead-out the best they have all season.”
Coming into the final lap, UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis had Rory Sutherland, Karl Menzies, Pinfold and Keough lined up on the front of the pack, with the latter two riders coming out of the final corner sitting one and two.
“Unfortunately, Hilton Clarke (Bahati Foundation) found a faster line through the final corner and had just enough momentum to pip Jake on the line,” Fraser said. “Hilton’s a smart rider and a fast finisher and it took perfect execution on his part to get over Jake.”
Despite the disappointment of not getting the victory, Fraser was encouraged by the result and the execution that earned it.
“As a director, I’m happy with the performance of the guys,” he said. “They took a big step forward today in executing, and it bodes well in the sprint department for the rest of the season.”
The Redlands Classic finishes Sunday with the notoriously difficult Sunset Loop, a 94-mile race covering 12 laps of a hilly and at times technical circuit. UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis still has four riders within 0:32 of race leader Ben Day (Fly V).
Notes
Marc de Maar of UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis was involved in a late-race crash that involved more than 30 riders. He sustained bruises and cut elbows, and the team will make a race-day decision on whether he starts the final stage.
Photo: Jonathan Devich, Epic Images
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