First In Class, Williams and Rivera Cruise – Sacramento Grand Prix
Sacramento, CA - Before the Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack) led peloton would enter the finishing circuits of Stage 1 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California around the state's capitol building, the city showcased the talents of some of top professional male and female riders.
The Pro 1/2 men kicked-off the show, but it was an auspicious start to least. With the first lap of the 1.4 mile course, two significant crashes occurred, with one coming directly on the heels of the starting gun. The media tent became a makeshift medical tent as several riders suffered serious injury and were unable to continue.
Once the fields was able to settle down and truly race, it became readily apparent who the class of the field was, Trek/Livestrong's Justin Williams. Williams seemingly toyed with the other riders, yo-yoing off the front on several occasions in an attempt to draw out any would be challengers.
On the final laps, Yahoo! Cycling Team amassed up front in an attempt to set up their sprinters, but in the end, Williams, riding without the benefit of teammates, was simply too strong.
Results - Men
1. Justin Williams (Trek/Livestrong U23)
2. Ryan Parnes (Yahoo! Cycling Team)
3. Brian Bosch (Yahoo! Cycling Team)
4. Bryan Larsen (Team Ranchos)
5. Jeremiah Wiscovitch (Williams Cycling presented by SC Velo)
On the women's side, 17-year-old Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12), wearing bib #1, justified being bestowed that honor and confirmed her status as one of the top riders in the women's peloton. Rivera rode sensibly over the course of the 60 minute race, positioning herself well in the pack, never too far from the front. But when called upon, Rivera and her Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 teammates would answer the bell in startling fashion.
With under 5 laps to go, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12's other teen sensation, Ruth Winder, would well, wind it up. The high pace forced the other teams to cover and shed the pretenders in the field. Lauren Tamayo, fresh off a world record setting Team Pursuit Gold Medal in the Pan American Cycling Championships, would take over from there, shepherding Rivera through to the finish.
Once Rivera launched herself, the only thing that remained was the contest for second place. Modesta Vzesniauskaite (Colavita/Baci Pro Cycling Team) took second, and Joelle Numainville (Webcor Builders) third. Tamayo would hold on for fourth, while former teammate Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO/To The Top), the current US National Road Champion, would take fifth.
Results - Women
1. Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12
2. Modesta Vzesniauskaite (Colavita/Baci Pro Cycling Team)
3. Joelle Numainville (Webcor Builders)
4. Lauren Tamayo (Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12)
5. Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO/To The Top)
See more photos from the Sacramento Grand Prix in our Photo Gallery
Photos: © Leonard Basobas/LB Photos
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