First class Hincapie delivers for Postal
Star attraction George Hincapie promised to deliver excitement ahead of last night's second stage of the CD&P Grand Prix, and the US Postal rider delivered with a thrilling final sprint victory which delighted the crowd on Front Street.
Hincapie, first hunted down Erik Wohlberg, then finally extinguished the Canadian's hopes of a second consecutive stage victory, powering across the line at the Flag Pole to take the Classic Criterium.
The American, a fine rider in his own right, but likely better known as a key teammate to three time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, went out conservatively at the start, languishing at the back of the pack for much of the first half of the 45 minute race, but gradually moved to the front. And when teammate Dylan Casey, who along with Wohlberg had made a two man break began to tire it was Hincapie taking up the gauntlet.
As time elapsed and the chase pack continued to lose ground it became a battle of attrition between Hincapie and Wohlberg, as they took turns leading each other around, but it always appeared more a question of when, rather than if, Hincapie would exert his dominance.
The moment came on the final stretch, as Wohlberg, worn from all the time spent in front, blinked and there was Hincapie.
"Initially I was at the back because it's a little more comfortable back there for me as far as being able to gauge things and see what's going on in the race, and it's less dangerous in the back because you see everybody," explained Hincapie of his ride. "When I saw Dylan get away I went up to the front to try and control the race a bit, but Jon Wirsing made a strong move to the front to try and bridge up and I saw a gap and didn't want him to be in the break with us, so I had to attack him and it worked out well for us."
Wohlberg, who continued to wear the leader's yellow jersey was still pleased despite placing second, as he and his Saturn team remain in prime position for the team title.
"The best defence is a good offence, and that's been working well for our Saturn boys all year long," said Wohlberg, who leads by one minute, 14 seconds over teammate Matt De Canio, with Hincapie 1:29 behind in third.
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