Success for PureBlack Racing in US debut

Success for PureBlack Racing in US debut

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 28 March, 2011 – PureBlack Racing had a successful United States debut with the team winning two jerseys and a fourth place in the second day of the three-day San Dimas Stage Race in California yesterday.

PureBlack Racing’s James Williamson finished fourth after a day of fast and furious road racing over 12 laps of a 12.5km rolling hills circuit. Roman Van Uden won the King of the Mountain jersey and Mike Northey won the Sprint Ace jersey.

Greg Cross, Business Director, PureBlack Racing said, “It was an awesome first road race in the US for the team. Right from the start the team signaled its intention to be aggressive and attack when Roman and Mike were in a breakaway of three that went up the road in the 2nd of 12 laps. This enabled them to be in a great position to collect King of the Mountain and Sprint Ace points.”

By the fourth lap the gap between the breakaway and the chasing peloton had extended out to 1:05 and was maintained through to the eighth lap. With just over three laps to go the race came back together and the fast and furious pace continued with no further breakaways.

PureBlack Racing’s Scott Lyttle placed a very decisive attack with 3kms to go and was only caught 300m from the line. In the sprint to the line James Williamson got away with a select group of eight to secure fourth to complete a hugely successful day for the team.

“The team rode the sort of race they wanted to race,” said Carl Williams, Sports Director, PureBlack Racing. “We wanted to make our mark on our first race on US soil and that’s exactly what we did. All the riders performed exceptionally. It was a dream day for PureBlack Racing.”

Van Uden, who led through every climb, has secured his jersey as today’s Criterium race has no king of the mountain points. Northey, who won every sprint yesterday, will fight to retain his jersey in the race around San Dimas.

The twelve-strong PureBlack Racing team relocated to the US last week for a six-month campaign of racing in North America, after 18 months of planning, preparation and racing in New Zealand.

Next weekend PureBlack Racing will line up for the Redlands Classic in California, the first big race in the United States calendar, which starts on the 31st of March.

The starting team for the Redlands Classic will be the same as for San Dimas and is Tim Gudsell, Glen Chadwick, Daniel Barry, Scott Lyttle, Mike Northey, Shem Rodger, Roman Van Uden and James Williamson.

For more information on the team and racing schedule see www.pureblackracing.com

ENDS

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