April 30/07 1:05 am - Rollin Wins in Georgia

Posted by Editoress on 04/30/07
 

Athens Twilight Criterium Athens Georgia (April 28th)

Pro Men (80 laps)

1. Mark Hekman (USA) Abecrombie & Fitch
2. Josh Thornton (USA) Kodak-Sierra Nevada
3. Trent Wilson (Aus) Jittery Joe's

Pro Women (40 laps)

1. Katharine Carroll (USA) Aaron's Pro Cycling
2. Iona Wynter Parks (Jam) Colavita-Sutter Home
3. Chrissy Ruiter (USA) Cheerwine
4. Ally Brandt (USA) HealthCoach
5. Kele Murdin (USA) Ultralink


Nalley Roswell Criterium Roswell, Georgia (April 29th)

Pro Men (80 minutes)

1. Dominique Rollin (Can) Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada
2. Cody Stevenson (Aus) Jittery Joe's
3. Josh Thornton (USA) Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada

Pro Women (55 minutes)

1. Tina Pic (USA) Colavita-Sutter Home
2. Sarah Caravalla (USA) Aaron's
3. Laura Van Gilder (USA) Cheerwine


Report courtesy Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team, presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing

As if to make a statement about its worthiness to compete in Georgia's biggest races, the Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team, presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. crowned a phenomenal weekend of racing in the Peachtree State with first and third place finishes at the Roswell Criterium. This win came on the heels of a second place finish in the crash marred Athens Twilight Crit on Friday evening and was the team's second NRC victory on Sunday following Jesse Anthony's win in the final stage of the Tour of Virginia just hours earlier.

From the first lap, the field raced aggressively launching attacks one after the other. Early on, amid the chaos of a crash, a break of approximately 10 riders, well representing many of the large teams, formed and began to open a gap on the field. Having been involved in the crash and forced to take a lap to repair a mechanical, Dominique Rollin regrouped with teammates Josh Thornton and Jamiel Danesh. Riding "full gas" at the front of the field, the trio led the chase and caught the breakaway. Almost immediately another break formed, this time including Rollin and Thornton. This break would prove to be the day's winning move.

As the breakaway roared to the start/finish line for the final lap of the 1-mile course, Dominique Rollin launched a solo effort to win the race. In an incredible show of strength, Rollin was able to ride his opponents off his wheel, create a gap and maintain it to take the win. Teammate Josh Thornton took third overall in the sprint among the breakaway riders that followed Rollin to the line, capturing his second podium appearance for the team in as many days.

Team General Manager, Robin Zellner was very impressed with his team's performance, "These guys are showing what our team is made of. It speaks great volumes about the depth and character of our team when we win two NRC races on the same day! Dominique and Josh are riding out of their skulls right now."

The team returns to action on Tuesday in South Carolina for the third race of the Southeast Criterium Championship Series.