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It was an outstanding weekend for BISSELL racing with Frank Pipp leading the GC in Wisconsin’s Dairyland, Graham Howard taking 2nd at the Village of Northstar resort in Tahoe, and Ben Jacques-Maynes being part of history with his 2nd behind Lance Armstrong’s return to victory in Nevada City.
The ten stage Tour of America’s Dairyland started on Thursday with a 141k stage in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Frank Pipp got things underway in good form taking 4th on the day. He continued to ride a solid race in Waterloo’s Stage 2, but Saturday night’s Grafton Crit was a harder fought battle where Frank had to deal with some dicey racing. He did take 5th for the stage and was able to move into the overall lead. Frank’s great 2nd place finish in Sunday’s Manitowoc’s Stage 4 helped to secure his hold on the leader’s yellow cow print jersey!
Meanwhile out west, Graham Howard, Paul Mach, and Omer Kem were targeting the Tour de Nez. The goal for the trio was to safely get through the first two crits in Truckee and Reno and target the 90 minute Northstar Circuit Race. All went according to plan and the threesome came into the final day in good shape. The course was a 2 mile circuit with cobbled sections and tough climbs. Just 10 minutes into the race, Jesse Moore (Cal Giant) attacked the group. The solo escapee was soon joined by Graham Howard (BISSELL) and the twosome ruled the race until they were finally joined by Moore’s teammate, Justin England, with just 5 laps to go. Graham was definitely in a tough place as odd man out with the two Cal Giant riders together. England led Moore out for the win and Graham took a well earned 2nd.
The team’s great racing was capped off with an amazingly electrifying race at the Nevada City Classic. The race was highlighted by the appearance of Astana riders, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and Chris Horner, who are in final preparations for the Tour de France. The crowds were estimated at 25,000 and rocked the streets with enthusiasm and excitement. Just 2 laps into the 35 lap race, Levi attacked the field and he was joined by teammate, Lance Armstrong, and Ben Jacques-Maynes (BISSELL). The threesome totally dominated the race building up a two minute gap and eventually lapping the field. The attacks exploded in the final 10 laps with Lance and Levi alternating their efforts against Ben. Finally Ben had to choose which one of the attacks to let go, and Lance got away free with 6 laps to go. With some help from BISSELL riders in the lapped field, Ben tried to mount a chase; however, Armstrong was too strong. Lance Armstrong won the Nevada City Classic with Ben Jacques-Maynes taking 2nd, and Levi Leipheimer rounding out the podium in 3rd. After the race, Lance was quoted as saying, "hats off to BJM for today's ride. He was very strong. Had us scratching our heads for sure."
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Nevada City Classic Podium:
Ben Jacques-Maynes (2nd), Lance Armstrong (1st), Levi Leipheimer (3rd)
Photo by Stuart Ballew |
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