Veilleux Wins Tour of PA in Rain Soaked Final

(June 30, 2008)

Report filed by Tour of PA

PITTSBURGH –PA-- U-23 national criterium champion Daniel Holloway (VMG/Felt) scored an impressive rain-drenched victory in yesterday's final stage of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®.  Twenty-one-year-old Holloway (USA) showed the same grit and sprinting speed today that he had used to win the Tour’s first criterium in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 24.  The event’s second place spot went to Canadian Keven Lacombe (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast), with American Erik Barlevav (TIME Pro Cycling) taking third place honors.

Shortly after the crit began, the race was stopped by Pittsburgh officials when a tornado warning and heavy rains necessitated a pause and required thousands of spectators to take cover until the tornado threat had passed.

Race officials agreed to not count the Stage 6 criterium in the overall general classification standings due to the fact that the event had to be stopped because of the severe weather conditions.  Not only did Holloway take today’s 50-mile event in convincing style, but his VMG/Felt teammates also controlled the last five laps of the race, displaying the form that earned them the overall team GC for the entire week.

Overall Tour of Pennsylvania winner was David Veilleux of Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast who held a 12-second lead going into the final day of racing.  Second place overall went to Christoff Van Heerden of South Africa (Konica Minolta), and third place was taken by Brazilian Stefano Barberi of the ZTeam, who was 18 seconds off of the leader. 

Several thousand spectators were on hand to experience the final day of racing action in Pittsburgh as part of the Pittsburgh 250 celebration honoring the city’s 250th anniversary.

Before and after the rainstorm, spectators also enjoyed the Highmark Healthy High 5 ® Finish Line Festival and race Expo area, both of which took place near the race route.  

At the race’s conclusion, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl joined representatives of the Tour’s sponsors to bestow the event’s awards.  The winners included:

Best Sprinter: David Veilleux, Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast
VisitPa.com Best Climber/KOM: Peter Stetina, VMG/Felt
Highmark Healthy High 5 Best Young Rider: Peter Salon, VMG/Felt
Forbes Trail Most Aggressive Rider: Keir Plaice, Team RACE Pro

For additional information regarding the Team, please visit Circuit Global Sport Management www.circuitsport.com

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