The Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling Team returned to Winston Salem to defend Sam Bassetti’s 2018 victory. Being the top ranked team in America and a roster of 7 strong contenders, the team was poised for a great race at the UCI 1.2 single day race.
The early portion of the race saw the team protecting the front of the peloton as several non-threatening moves get up the road. Eventually George Simpson attacked across and went solo, generating enough of a gap to become the move of the day.
The plan for the day was to keep James Piccoli, Sam Bassetti, George Simpson and Ulises Castillo protected until two hours into the race. This put the brunt of the workload on Gavin Hoover, Eric Young and Alfredo Rodriguez to ensure the breakaways were in check and contenders fueled for the final moves.
“At that point in the race it really felt like the break was going to go. Even though no one came with me, it was a good opportunity to put myself up the road because I knew that a group was likely to come across later,” stated Simpson.
The day was heating up and the humidity in North Carolina was taking its toll on the peloton. Simpson came prepared as “during the spring and summer I always prepare for hot races as part my normal training. I like seeing some hot weather in the forecast because I know I’ll be ready.”
Teammate Ulises Castillo bridged across to the move with several other riders, making it a group of 5 to contend the final laps of the race. With two in the move, Simpson knew the odds were in their favor. “We wanted to stick together…
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Photo Credit: Casey B. Gibson
Stage 1 Podium: 1st James Piccoli; 2nd Oscar Sevilla; 3rd Eder Frayre