Sutherland Takes Another Climbing Prologue

(May 9, 2008)

Race report filed by Health Net, presented by Maxxis

Fayetteville, AR – Rory Sutherland of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis has won another climbing prologue, this one at the Joe Martin Stage Race. He also won a similar prologue at the Redlands Classic a month ago.

“That’s not bad,” he said. “I’m quite happy.”

Sutherland recorded a time of 8:14 for the 4 km time trial, 0:10 ahead of Anthony Colby (Colavita-Sutter Home) and 0:11 ahead of Nolan Froese (THF Racing).

The 4 km course rolls for the first portion before pitching upward toward the finish, with an average gradient of 6.8%.

“The course was very similar in profile to the Redlands prologue,” Sutherland said. “It’s more of a power climber’s course rather than a pure climber’s. It’s a good course that suits me well. I had a good warm up and felt good.”

With Sutherland in the lead, the team will look to defend the jersey in Friday’s 110-mile road race, but Sutherland noted that they won’t be neglecting the stage finishes, either.

“We have a good sprinting team here for the finish on Friday and the other stages,” he said.  There are also time bonuses on the line Friday, and with Karl Menzies and John Murphy both finishing inside the top 20 today, there will be opportunities for them to move up on GC.

Notes

In addition to Menzies’ and Murphy’s 15th and 16th placings respectively, both at 0:34 back, Tim Johnson of Health Net Presented by Maxxis put up a strong 10th place, 0:29 behind Sutherland.

For additional information regarding the Team, please visit www.teamhealthnet.com, or contact:

JEFF SOBUL, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Tel: 510.832.1616
Fax: 510.832.1618
Mobile: 510.334.3949
Email: jsobul@teamhealthnet.com

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