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Tom Zirbel Rides to an Outstanding 2nd Place with the Strong Support of his Team

"Custom built for destruction" is how Director Eric Wohlberg describes the 12 laps on the Sunset Course. The final stage of Redlands is comprised of 12 long circuits followed by 5 short finishing circuits (the laps from Stage 2 Downtown Crit). To begin the battle under even more pressure, the race organizers positioned the time bonuses early in the race at the KOM’s on the 1st and 2nd lap. Given the narrow time gaps between the top GC contenders, the BISSELL Team knew the importance of protecting the time bonuses. Ben Jacques-Maynes made a huge effort on the first KOM and kept BMC on alert. The next move of the day came from BISSELL’s Frank Pipp, Cesar Grajales (Rock Racing), and Brad White (OUCH)  as they attacked and ate up the early time bonuses creating a small enough time cushion to protect Tom’s GC. BISSELL was involved in the next significant break, as well, when Burke Swindlehurst (BISSELL), Karl Menzies  (OUCH), Justin England (California Giant), and Kirk Carlsen (Garmin Haloweko) attacked following the 2nd KOM. The four were able to stay away for a grueling 2 laps and built up a 20 second advantage. Unfortunately, Burke was the victim of a poorly timed puncture. Burke chased with a vengeance but was not able to rejoin contact with the group who were eventually caught. The final and most aggressive move of the day was the solo attack of Rory Sutherland (OUCH). Sutherland’s breakaway was the most threatening to Louder (BMC), Zirbel (BISSELL) and Day (Fly V Australia/Successful Living) because his maximum time gap combined with the finishing time bonus could potentially mean victory for him. The 3 GC leaders with support from their teams chased Sutherland and brought the race back together as the race entered the final 5 finishing circuits. With a significantly dwindled group, the race leaders fought it out to the end. Tom rode a brilliant race and responded to every threatening move which seemed to constantly occur in the closing laps. A race which started out with 194 riders only finished with 105. The BISSELL Pro Cycling Team had 2 riders in the top 5, Tom Zirbel 2nd and Ben Jacques-Maynes 5th, and was in the majority of action throughout the 4 day race. Tom Zirbel, Ben Jacques-Maynes, Burke Swindlehurst, Andy Jacques-Maynes, Kirk O’Bee, Frank Pipp, Jeremy Vennell, and Graham Howard rode an exceptional race as a team and utilized outstanding tactics which delivered the excellent results:

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