SpiderTech’s Ryan Roth wins Univest Grand Prix 2011 - Cycling Update
SpiderTech team’s Ryan Roth grabbed the uphill sprint of the Univest Grand Prix 2011 on Saturday, September 17 in Souderton. He out-sprinted the three man breakaway lead and crossed the finish line with a time of 3 hours, 52 minutes and 27 seconds to cover
the distance of 161 kilometres.
Frank Pipp of Bissell Pro Cycling was in runner-up spot and Tom Zirbel of Jamis-Sutter Home finished third with the same timing as the Canadian. In the beginning of the stage, Bruno Langlois (SpiderTech p/b C10) was the first rider to go off alone but he
was brought back by the peloton.
Jason Donald was another cyclists who was able to take off but he was also caught by the large chaser group including, Martin Gilbert (SpiderTech p/b C10). The other cyclists worked well together and made a last-ditch attack including, Heath Blackgrove (Elbowz
Racing), Pipp and Roth.
Pipp and Roth put in a good effort and gained a lead of 45 seconds in the first lap while Tom Zirbel was able to hold his pace and successfully bridge across to make a move.
Pipp said, "I thought it was going to be a field sprint but Ryan attacked with three to go, I guess. I saw him go and I know how strong of a rider he is."
The two cyclists were able to build the first breakaway lead including Francois Parisien (SpiderTech p/b C10) and Brett Tivers (Garneau Club Chaussures-Norton Rose). In the seventh lap, both of them extended their breakaway advantage to 2 minutes and 20
seconds.
However, they were caught by the peloton and Roth increased his pace and crossed the finish line ahead of the other cyclists. Roth put in a tremendous effort as he fought hard throughout the race to take an impressive victory in the end.
After finishing the stage, Roth said, "We have done a lot of hard racing the last month and a half and it suited us to make a hard race so that is what we tried to do. I thought Zirbel coming across was good because he has a good engine and he would do a
long sprint, which suited me also.”
Brett Tivers took the overall sprint standing with 20 points ahead of Jason Donald. Francois Parisien (Team SpiderTech p/b C10) took the overall King of Mountain title with 30 points ahead of Gabe Varela and Pipp.
Derrick St John (Ride With Rendall), Johan Landström (Team Cykelcity) and Scott Stewart (Team Type 1-Sanofi) were disqualified from the race.
The next Criterium stage will start in Doylestown and all the cyclists will cover the distance of 80 kilometres.
Tags: