Photo Credit: Danny Munson
The Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling Team made their mark on the San Dimas Stage race this past weekend. Coming off of great showings at both the Tour de Taiwan and Redlands BIcycle Classic, the team was motivated to keep the momentum going and win their first yellow jersey of the season.The San Dimas Stage Race begins with a 4.25 mile uphill time trial on Glendora Mountain Road, an iconic climb in the Southern California mountains. James Piccoli clocked the fastest time of the day by 3 seconds, placing him in the lead going into stage 2. The San Dimas Hospital Road Race is notorious for the technicality of the course, as well as the challenging conditions and strain the combination puts on the field. With strong competitors within striking distance of the yellow jersey and multiple time bonuses up for grabs within the race, the team rode aggressively to place Ulises Castillo in a strong 3-man breakaway. This move lasted to the finish line and Ulises shed the last of his break away companions heading into the long finishing straightaway, winning the stage solo. He had enough of a gap on the field as well as time bonuses from the laps he spent in the break, that he moved into the overall lead for the final stage in downtown San Dimas.
Photo Credit: Above Four Media
The stage 3 Criterium is dynamic with several time bonuses up for grabs, and a course that makes a breakaway hard to catch once they are out of sight. The team was in a great position with Ulises in the lead and teammate Piccoli 2nd on GC 17 seconds down. The overarching goal was to retain yellow for the team and win the stage.
Photo Credit: Danny Munson
James launched an attack that would soon develop the breakaway of the day. The gap began to grow and as the lap cards went up, James attacked the break and rode the final laps solo, finishing with the 3rd win in as many stages for the team. In the peloton, the team set up the sprint where Alfredo Rodriguez finished 2, winning the bunch sprint, and Ulises just behind in 4th.
Photo Credit: Danny Munson
Once the time bonuses for the day were tallied, James Piccoli would again wear the yellow jersey and Ulises Castillo held onto 2nd Overall while also winning the Green Sprinter Jersey. The team is now preparing to race the UCI America Tour Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas where they plan to continue their podium performances. Follow the Team on Social Media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/elevatekhscycling/
Instagram: @elevatekhsprocycling