This week sees Team OUCH participating in the Joe Martin Stage Race which is held in the areas in and around Fayetteville, Arkansas. OUCH’s Rory Sutherland is the two time defending champion of the race and will be supported by the team including Floyd Landis. Obviously Cam Evans will not be taking part in the race as he is still recovering from rather serious injuries suffered at last week’s Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. Here is a list of men’s pro teams who will be competing in this year’s edition of the race:
Colavita/Sutter Home Pro Cycling Team, presented by Cooking Light
Kelly Benefit Strategies Pro Cycling Team
OUCH Pro Cycling Team presented by Maxxis
Planet Energy Pro Cycling Team
Fly V Australia Pro Cycling Team
Here is OUCH’s press release concerning the “Joe Martin” which begins tomorrow:
OUCH Presented by Maxxis roster for Joe Martin
Oakland, CA – The OUCH Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis will send its four-man southeast crit squad to Arkansas to meet up with half the roster that just finished the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico for the Joe Martin Stage Race, beginning Thursday.
Karl Menzies, Andrew Pinfold, John Murphy and Bobby Lea produced consistent results during the nine-day, seven race barnstorm of the Southeast criteriums last week. Menzies took the win at the Sunny King Criterium last Saturday, with Murphy and Pinfold taking 3rd and 4th in the same race. Menzies also took 2nd place at the Beaufort Criterium. Pinfold posted a pair of 3rd places – at Spartanburg and Sandy Springs – while Lea proved to be the team’s workhorse covering moves and riding tempo at the front for a number of races.
“By the end of the week, those four guys were working really well together,” team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo said. “Those boys are riding really well. Joe Martin is the type of race that if you’re a good sprinter, who can also put in a good time trial in the opening stage and get over some of the climbs, you can get some good results here. Pinner and Karl are both guys who are well suited for this race.”
Of course, OUCH Presented by Maxxis also brings returning champion Rory Sutherland, who began his march toward the 2008 NRC Individual Points Championship at this race last year.
Sutherland comes off a solid Gila performance that included a 3rd place on the race’s second stage. He is joined by stage race specialists Floyd Landis, Pat McCarty and team captain Tim Johnson.
Joe Martin kicks off Thursday with a 2.5-mile uphill time trial.
Notes
Lea takes the place of Cam Evans on the Joe Martin roster. Evans was hurt in a crash on the final stage of Gila. He sustained facial lacerations but no broken bones. He is currently back home in Vancouver recovering from his injuries.
OUCH Presented by Maxxis for the Joe Martin Stage Race, May 7-10:
Tim Johnson, USA
Floyd Landis, USA
Bobby Lea, USA
Pat McCarty, USA
Karl Menzies, TAS
John Murphy, USA
Andrew Pinfold, CAN
Rory Sutherland, AUS
The Fayettville Morning News Online published this brief piece about the upcoming race last week, so far nothing new but since the race begins tomorrow it’s expected an update will be posted soon. In any case, updates will be posted here when they appear.
I’ll be there, albeit with the 3’s. I’ll see if I can get some photos.
Excellent, that means we have our own correspondent there. 🙂 When you’re done with your riding we expect updates along with the photos. 😉
str
I’m going to, Paula. Although, my laptop is not going, since it’s not working!
OMG Theresa that’s right you’ll be there! How great!! Tell Floyd god luck from the TBV/RYHO crew. Have a great time!!!
str
Theresa – e-mail me off-list so we can meet up when we’re there. It’ll be fun to meet a fellow RYHO/TBV’er.