Clarke Delivers Back-to-Back Victories at Speedweek

(May 1, 2008)

Report filed by USA Crits

Australian fast man Hilton Clarke (Toyota-United) won his second USA CRITS Speed Week event in as many days by out sprinting (Colavita/Sutter Home’s Sebastian Haedo and Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefit Strategies) in yesterday’s Downtown Walterboro Criterium. Clarke timed his final effort around the long straightaways of the city’s course to perfection and proved once again that he remains one of the best criterium specialists racing in the U.S.

“Personally I was tired the entire race.” Clarke said afterwards. “But since there weren’t any breakaways that could get anything more than 100 meters from the field before they gave up, I just waited and did nothing.”

Throughout the race, riders went full throttle around the 1 kilometer course, looking for advantages that simply never materialized. With speeds high and the desire to snare a victory growing with each installment of the series, the level on competition appears to be only increasing day by day.

For Clarke, who won several major criteriums last year, including the classic Tour of Somerville, his back-to-back victories at Speedweek bode well for the remainder of 2008.

“Last year I had some real problems with my pelvis, and Toyota-United was just great in the way they helped in my recovery. During the Tour De Georgia, I just felt like I was getting better and better every day. So even though I was tired last week, last night’s win just gave me the confidence that I could win again.”

Downtown Walterboro Criterium - Results

Pro Men

1. Hilton Clarke (Aus), Toyota-United, 1:19:47.300
2. Sebastian Haedo (Arg), Colavita/Sutter Home, +0.000
3. Alex Candelario (US), Kelly Benefit Strategies, +0.300
4. Jake Keough (US), CRCA/Sakonnet Technology, +0.900
5. Peter Dawson (US), Rock Racing, +1.300
6. Kyle Gritters (US), Health Net, +1.900
7. Emile Abraham (US), Team Type 1, +1.900
8. Keith Norris (US), TOSHIBA-Santo, +1.900
9. Kyle Wamsley (US), Colavita/Sutter Home, +2.200
10. Dave Guttenplan, TIME Pro Cycling, +2.400



For more information on the USA CRITS Speedweek visit: www.usacrits.com


For Toyota-United rider, staff interviews or general information, please contact:

Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team:                     
Sean P. Tucker
Office: 541-318-8491
Cell: 541-390-5981
sean@toyota-united.com

«BACK TO TEAM NEWS