PureBlack Racing's impressive form continues at Joe Martin
Monday 9 May 2011, 7:24AM
By PureBlack Racing
755 views
PureBlack Racing are second overall in the team General Classification going into the fourth and final day of the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas after notching up two podiums in two days and a several top ten finishes. Roman van Uden was back on the podium yesterday after taking second place and today Louis Crosby took out third place and the white U23 overall leader jersey.
Yesterday Roman van Uden supported by his team mates put in an impressive ride in the stage two 170km road race. Scott Lyttle was in a break of three on the climb as they headed for a 40km section of full on flat out descending. The breakaway extended to a 50 second lead with about 10km to go. Lyttle’s break was caught just past the 2km to go mark and again PureBlack Racing teamwork came to the fore. Van Uden, Mike Northey and Shem Rodger worked at the front of the charging peloton to the finish. On the last corner Rodger did a spectacular job of setting up van Uden, who launched his attack going into the corner, taking the lead and holding it all the way to the line to be pipped by the smallest of margins into second place. Northey finished in sixth place and Crosby in 13th.
Today newcomer Louis Crosby took out his first podium for PureBlack Racing in the 3rd Stage 140km Road Race. Right from the start of the race the riding was aggressive with three big groups quickly forming. By the 50km mark the lead group of eight included PureBlack’s Taylor Gunman stayed clear until the 115km mark just as the race was coming to the final climb before the fast descent towards the finish line. At the top of the hill Crosby and three others attacked and built up a lead from the peloton. Crosby crossed the line in third place just seven seconds ahead of the chasing peloton. After another fantastic lead out by Shem Rodger, Mike Northey took out the bunch sprint to secure fifth place for the day and Roman Van Uden ninth.
PureBlack Racing is sitting at second overall for team General Classification, Crosby is in the white U23 jersey and on individual General Classification Van Uden is fifth, Crosby is eighth and Northey is tenth.
Carl Williams, Sports Director of PureBlack Racing said, “All 8 guys rode incredibly well today, they were super active and worked superbly as a team. The team has really gelled into a tight unit as they have stepped up to the standard of racing here in the US. It’s exactly where Greg Cross (PureBlack’s Business Director) and I hoped we would be.”
Tomorrow’s final stage in the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayettville, Arkansas is a 90 minute Criterium www.joemartinstagerace.com
For more information on the team and racing schedule see www.pureblackracing.com