Philadelphia International Championship
Presented by
PCT Pennsylvania, LLC
Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Commerce Bank Philadelphia International Championship
CSC�s Breschel scores dramatic sprint win
PHILADELPHIA � June 8, 2008 - On paper, Team CSC looked to be an underdog at the Philadelphia International Championship. The Danish-based team has been besieged by injuries this season and only sent six of a possible eight riders to contest the 2008 Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling series. But six was enough for the ProTour squad, which saw young rising star Matti Breschel score an impressive field sprint win at the end of Sunday�s 156-mile race.
The victory was CSC�s second straight at the prestigious event that this year celebrated its 24th anniversary. A year ago, team rider J.J. Haedo grabbed the top prize. A scheduling conflict kept the Argentinean in Europe this time around, but Breschel filled in admirably, bursting across the line first at the end of the hot, hard day in the saddle.
Americans Kirk O�Bee (Health Net-Maxxis) and Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing) were second and third respectively in a race that lasted a record 6 hours, 14 minutes and 47 seconds. The previous long day was 6:13:53 set in 2006.
�I was all by myself on the last lap,� explained Breschel, who did not have the benefit of a full lead-out train like some of his competitors. �But I got myself in a good position going through [Logan Circle] and was able to make a long sprint to the finish.�
O�Bee estimated that the difference between first and second was about half a wheel, not much considering the race included 10 14.4-mile laps from the start-finish along Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Manayunk and back, plus three shorter circuits that went as far as Lemon Hill before circling back.
�It was a crazy last lap,� explained O�Bee, who was contesting his eighth Philadelphia race. �As soon as I exited the last round-about, my teammate John Murphy led me up the left side and took me all the way to the 200-meter-to-go sign. I took it from there and almost had it, but I probably went a little early and Breschel was able to come over the top of me.�
The 23-year-old Breschel�s win also netted him top prize in the three-race series� overall standings, dethroning 2007 champ Bernard Eisel, who was fourth on Sunday.
�I was too much in the wind at the end,� lamented Eisel, the Austrian High Road rider. �I just didn�t have enough left after such a long day in the heat.�
Indeed, the first true East Coast heat wave of 2008 made for a brutal day of racing. It was already 79 degrees when the race started just after 9 a.m. The thermostat read 94 by the finish. Near the end of the race, one official measured the temperature of the road and got a 120-degree reading. Only 81 of the 190 starters finished the race.
�I went through so many water bottles I lost count,� explained Davide Frattini (Colavita-Sutter Home), who won the day�s King of the Mountain title, a contest that awarded points to the riders who were first over the Manayunk and Lemon Hill climbs during each lap.
While the race�s endgame came down to a battle of sprinters, the middle portions of this epic test of mettle was dominated by a seven-rider break that included Frattini, Ed King (Bissell), Brian Jensen (Team Successfulliving), Dan Ramsay (Time), Ben Kneller (Jittery Joe�s), Richard Geng (Rite Aid) and Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing).
The group of escapees initially formed on the third of the 10 long laps, and rolled up an advantage that swelled above eight minutes at one point. But with temperatures on the rise all day, there was no way the move was going to stay away.
Kneller and Geng lost touch with the break with about 70 miles of racing remaining, and with the lap counter reading six to go, the five riders remaining in the breakaway passed under the start/finish banner with just a 1:10 advantage. The race was all back together midway through the next lap.
Next to take a crack at breakaway heroics were Team Type I Kiwi Glen Chadwick, Canadian Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) and Mexican Francisco Matamoros (Tecos-Trek). The threesome made their bid for glory with five laps to go. But this move failed as well. Chadwick and Matamoros were caught during the waning moments of the final long lap. Tuft stayed away for another half lap, chasing after a last handful of King of the Mountains points before being reeled in.
A handful of smaller breakaway attempts ensued, but nothing succeeded, leaving the final battle to a pack of 68 hard charging riders. Not among the group was pre-race favorite Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) who dropped out of the race early on, reportedly the victim of knee tendonitis.
Breschel, meanwhile, was proving that he�s fully recovered from a crash in February 2006 that left him with two broken vertebrae and nearly ended his career. The incident happened in a sprint not dissimilar from Sunday�s finish, except that time the baby-faced Dane was knocked unconscious.
�I hit my head very bad and was out for a couple hours,� Breschel recalled of the incident at the Belgian Three Days of West Flanders race. �I woke up in the hospital and was lying there for two weeks.�
It took a while, but the promising fourth-year pro�s injuries have healed, a fact that was on full display Sunday in Philadelphia.
These results are provided for informational purposes only. Please note that
the protest period for this event has expired and no changes can or will be made
to these results.
PLACE NAME TEAM TIME
1 BRESCHEL, Matti Team CSC 6:14:47
2 O'BEE, Kirk Health NEt p/b Maxxis 6:14:47
3 RODRIGUEZ, Fred Rock Racing 6:14:47
4 EISEL, Bernhard Team High Road 6:14:47
5 CANDELARIO, Alex Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif 6:14:47
6 FARRAR, Tyler Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O 6:14:47
7 ALDAPE, Moises Team Type 1 6:14:47
8 ROLLIN, Dominique Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 6:14:47
9 FALCON, Yosvany Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife 6:14:47
10 POWER, Ciaran Pezula Racing 6:14:47
11 SAYERS, Michael BMC Racing 6:14:47
12 MARTINEZ, Miguel Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc 6:14:47
13 ERKER, Jacob Symmetrics Professional Cyclin 6:14:47
14 BOASSON HAGEN, Edvald Team High Road 6:14:47
15 BROOKS, Ben Team Type 1 6:14:47
16 FRIEDMAN, Michael Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O 6:14:47
17 CRUZ, Antonio BMC Racing 6:14:47
18 ESCUELA, Ricardo Team Successfulliving 6:14:47
19 BAUMANN, Eric Team Sparkasse 6:14:47
20 STEVENSON, Cody Jittery Joe's 6:14:47
21 METLUSHENKO, Yuri Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc 6:14:47
22 SEVILLA, Oscar Rock Racing 6:14:47
23 BORRAJO, Alejandro Colavita-Sutter Home 6:14:47
24 MAMOS, Philipp Team Sparkasse 6:14:47
25 FREY , Sebastian Team Sparkasse 6:14:47
26 PARRA, John Fredy Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife 6:14:47
27 WYSS, Danilo BMC Racing 6:14:47
28 HUFF, Brad Jelly Belly 6:14:47
29 PARISIEN, Franois Team RACE Pro 6:14:47
30 TOLLESON, Taylor BMC Racing 6:14:47
31 MAASKANT, Martijn Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O 6:14:47
32 DIONNE, Charles Team Successfulliving 6:14:47
33 LILL, Darren BMC Racing 6:14:47
34 KOBZARENKO, Valeriy Team Type 1 6:14:47
35 GRABINGER, Micheal Team Successfulliving 6:14:47
36 ENGLAND, Richard Bissell Pro Cycling Team 6:14:47
37 WOHLBERG, Eric Symmetrics Professional Cyclin 6:14:47
38 MURPHY, Jonn Health NEt p/b Maxxis 6:14:47
39 SCHILLINGER , Andreas Team Sparkasse 6:14:47
40 WHERRY, Christopher Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 6:14:47
41 GUPTILL, Andrew Colavita-Sutter Home 6:14:47
42 MATAMOROS, Francisco Tecos - Trek 6:14:47
43 LADINO, Gregorio Tecos - Trek 6:14:47
44 RICE, Matthew Jelly Belly 6:14:47
45 REYNES MIMO, Vincente Team High Road 6:14:47
46 MANION, Caleb Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 6:14:47
47 WREN, Tyler Colavita-Sutter Home 6:14:47
48 CORIONI, Claudio Liquigas 6:14:47
49 DEVINE, John Team High Road 6:14:47
50 HAMMOND, Roger Team High Road 6:14:47
51 O'LOUGHLIN, David Pezula Racing 6:14:47
52 FRISCHKORN, William Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O 6:14:47
53 JENNINGS, Cameron Pezula Racing 6:14:47
54 KLOSTERGAARD, Kasper Team CSC 6:14:47
55 OLSON, Aaron Bissell Pro Cycling Team 6:14:47
56 MACIAS, Luis Tecos - Trek 6:14:47
57 CHADWICK, Glen Team Type 1 6:14:47
58 SPINELLI, Justin Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif 6:14:47
59 REISTAD, Nicholas Jelly Belly 6:15:02
60 JENSEN, Brian Team Successfulliving 6:15:21
61 HAMILTON, Tyler Rock Racing 6:15:21
62 MEIER, Christian Symmetrics Professional Cyclin 6:15:21
63 BOWMAN, Dan Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif 6:15:21
64 PIPP, Frank Health NEt p/b Maxxis 6:15:21
65 ROTH, Ryan Team RACE Pro 6:15:21
66 BAJADALI, Andrew Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif 6:15:21
67 STEVIC, Ivan Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 6:15:41
68 FRANZOI, Enrico Liquigas 6:15:48
69 LAPTHORNE, Darren Team Sparkasse 6:16:14
70 JONES, Christopher Team Type 1 6:16:37
71 TUFT, Svein Symmetrics Professional Cyclin 6:16:51
72 SUTHERLAND, Rory Health NEt p/b Maxxis 6:17:43
73 FRATTINI, Davide Colavita-Sutter Home 6:17:43
74 PROKIC, Predrag Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife 6:17:43
75 CLARKE, Jonny Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 6:17:43
76 LOUDER, Jeffry BMC Racing 6:17:59
77 OLLERENSHAW, Doug Rock Racing 6:18:02
78 DULIN, Thaddeus DLP Racing 6:18:37
79 STEVENSON, Michael Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc 6:20:50
80 TALANSKY, Andrew Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife 6:29:28
81 GUTTENPLAN, David TIME Pro Cycling 6:29:28
DNF BOCHMAN, Lasse Team CSC
DNF STEENSEN, Andr Team CSC
DNF GOSS, Matthew Team CSC
DNF MCCARTNEY, Jason Team CSC
DNF HENDERSON, Greg Team High Road
DNF KNAVEN, Servais Team High Road
DNF BENNATI, Daniele Liquigas
DNF BODNAR, Maciej Liquigas
DNF CURTOLO, Alberto Liquigas
DNF SANTAROMITA, Ivan Liquigas
DNF KOHLER, Martin BMC Racing
DNF STEWART, Jackson BMC Racing
DNF BACKSTEDT, Magnus Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O
DNF COZZA, Steven Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O
DNF DONALD, Jason Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O
DNF CALDWELL, Blake Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O
DNF CORTES, Phil Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc
DNF GASPARRE, Graziano Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc
DNF NISSEN, Sren Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc
DNF JACQUES-MAYNES, Ben Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF PELTONEN, Garrett Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF ZWIZANSKI, Scott Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF VENNELL, Jeremy Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF KING, Edward Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF CORREIA, Joao Bissell Pro Cycling Team
DNF BORRAJO, Anibal Colavita-Sutter Home
DNF HAEDO, Lucas Colavita-Sutter Home
DNF ROMERO, Luis Amaran Colavita-Sutter Home
DNF WAMSLEY, Kyle Colavita-Sutter Home
DNF BEAMER, Spencer DLP Racing
DNF NIELSEN, Owen DLP Racing
DNF PENDRY, Charles DLP Racing
DNF NANKERVIS, Tommy DLP Racing
DNF JACKSON, Scott DLP Racing
DNF CODDINGTON, Joseph DLP Racing
DNF JUDY, Christopher DLP Racing
DNF JOHNSON, Tim Health NEt p/b Maxxis
DNF ZAJICEK, Phil Health NEt p/b Maxxis
DNF CRANE, Matt Health NEt p/b Maxxis
DNF GRITTERS, Kyle Health NEt p/b Maxxis
DNF SANDERSON, Nicholas Jelly Belly
DNF TUCKERMAN, Aaron Jelly Belly
DNF LANGE, Michael Jelly Belly
DNF POWERS, Jeremy Jelly Belly
DNF VAN ULDEN, Bernard Jelly Belly
DNF KNELLER, Benjamin Jittery Joe's
DNF SHIRLEY, Neil Jittery Joe's
DNF ELKEN, Evan Jittery Joe's
DNF CANTWELL, Jonathan Jittery Joe's
DNF SHRIVER, Matt Jittery Joe's
DNF HARTLEY, Chad Jittery Joe's
DNF SULLIVAN, Ryan Jittery Joe's
DNF GILBERT, Martin Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif
DNF LACOMBE, Kevin Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif
DNF MUMFORD, Reid Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif
DNF SUNDT, Jonathan Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medif
DNF FOX, Morgan Pezula Racing
DNF IRVINE, Martyn Pezula Racing
DNF CONNOLLY, William Pezula Racing
DNF BARROWS, Clayton Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF ELLISTON, William Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF ERDELYI, Jonathan Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF GENG, Richard Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF KING, Robbie Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF KINCAID, Stephen Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF LEA, Bobby Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF RYTLEWSKI, Jake Rite Aid Pro Cycling p/b Shebe
DNF BAHATI, Rahsaan Rock Racing
DNF CREED, Michael Rock Racing
DNF PENA, Victor Hugo Rock Racing
DNF WISCOVITCH, Jeremiah Rock Racing
DNF BELL, Zachary Symmetrics Professional Cyclin
DNF RANDELL, Andrew Symmetrics Professional Cyclin
DNF PINFOLD, Andrew Symmetrics Professional Cyclin
DNF EVANS, Cameron Symmetrics Professional Cyclin
DNF WALTERS, Mark Team RACE Pro
DNF TIMMERMAN, Dan Team RACE Pro
DNF MILLER, Kevin Buck Team RACE Pro
DNF MACBURNIE, Dustin Team RACE Pro
DNF BATTY, Mark Team RACE Pro
DNF ROBERTSON, Eric Team RACE Pro
DNF WACKERNAGEL , Lars Team Sparkasse
DNF SCHLER , Tilo Team Sparkasse
DNF GUNN, Curtis Team Successfulliving
DNF BAZZANA, Alessandro Team Successfulliving
DNF WHITE, Brad Team Successfulliving
DNF VALENZUELA, Christian Team Successfulliving
DNF CALABRIA, Fabio Team Type 1
DNF ELDRIDGE, Joe Team Type 1
DNF WILSON, Matt Team Type 1
DNF COLEX, Bernardo Tecos - Trek
DNF CERVANTES, Omar Tecos - Trek
DNF GUITIERREZ, Lui Tecos - Trek
DNF OYARZUN, Carlos Tecos - Trek
DNF RAMOS TORRES, Florencio Tecos - Trek
DNF BAKER, Andy TIME Pro Cycling
DNF SOLADAY, Thomas TIME Pro Cycling
DNF STOOP, Michael TIME Pro Cycling
DNF SIMES, Jackie TIME Pro Cycling
DNF RAMSAY, Daniel TIME Pro Cycling
DNF MYERSON, Adam TIME Pro Cycling
DNF FREY, Nick TIME Pro Cycling
DNF SWEETING, Bobby Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife
DNF HEKMAN, Mark Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife
DNF TRAVIESO, Frank Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife
DNF VAILLANCOURT, Daniel Toshiba - Santo p/b Herbalife
DNF BLACKGROVE, Heath Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
DNF DOMINGUEZ, Ivan Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
DNF VOGELS, Hendricus Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
