JUNE 16, 2010
St. Paul, MN – Hilton Clarke and Karl Menzies of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis took the top two spots in the Downtown St. Paul Criterium Wednesday evening, the second stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
In front of numerous guests from title sponsor UnitedHealthcare, as they did at both races in the Air Force Cycling Classic last week, UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis took complete control of the race in the closing laps and delivered Clarke and Menzies to the final corner 250 meters from the finish in the top two spots. From there, it was a matter of the two sprinters finishing it off.
“Karl went through the last corner first, and I came off his wheel straight away,” Clarke said. “I just put my head down and went. When I finally looked back, I had a nice gap and I saw Karl coming to the line for second.”
For much of the 40-lap race, Kelly Benefits controlled the front of the pack protecting the race lead of Scott Zwizanski.
“Our plan was to sit back a bit and let them control the race, and when we got past the final intermediate sprint with 10 laps to go, then take control,” said Team Director Mike Tamayo.
That plan got delayed a bit when Clarke and Brad White hit the deck with 11 laps to go. “It took a few laps to get everyone back in and together again,” Tamayo said. But when the pack came through the finishing straight with seven laps to go, it was all UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis on the front.
“Kelly being on the front most of the race played into our hands a bit,” Clarke said. “I think the crowd on the finishing straight had gotten used to seeing Kelly on the front, so when we came through at the head of the bunch with seven to go, I think it surprised a few people watching.”
With the eight-rider train lined up on the front, the team gradually ramped up the speed as the laps counted down, ensuring there were no late attacks. Coming into the final lap, Hilton’s younger brother Jonny handed off final lead-out duties to Rory Sutherland with 1 km to go, with the sprinters on his wheel.
“Hilton, Karl and Jake (Keough) have been really nailing the finishes,” Tamayo said. “Hilton has fit right in, no problem.”
With the win, Clarke has scored two victories in his three races with the Team, and all three races have been won by UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis.
“It’s been a dream run so far,” Clarke said. “Straight away the guys new my abilities, and I’m just glad I’ve been able to deliver. Now I’m looking forward to helping the team this week to get Rory the overall win.”
That task continues tomorrow afternoon with the hilly, 65-mile Cannon Falls Road Race.
Photo: Jonathan Devich, Epic Images
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