Stage Two of the Redlands Bicycle Classic Brings Non-stop Action to Downtown Redlands

Redlands, Calif. — April 5, 2008 — Murmurs of Rock Racing filled downtown Redlands today as Stage Two of the Redlands Bicycle Classic brought cyclists one race away from their glory, with Santiago Botero of Rock Racing leading in overall points. Botero held onto his overall lead, but BMC’s Jeff Louder won today’s stage race, just ahead of Luis Alberto Amaran with Colavita Sutter Home/Cooking Light. Third across the line was Ivan Dominguez, from Toyota United.

For the majority of the 1.2 mile, seven turn downtown Redlands criterium race, sponsored by 1st Centennial Bank/KWB Wealth Managers, four cyclists created the breakaway. Inside three laps to go, the stakes were high and the action non-stop as the original four reduced to three. As the pace accelerated to a blistering speeds, and the peloton continued to hunt down its 18 second lead on the field, Curtis Gunn, from Successful Living, and Shawn Milne of Team Type One crashed on the final lap, leaving third position up for grabs. Dominguez saw the opportunity and sprinted ahead of the pack.

Louder felt the speed of today’s race and was able to clinch onto his lead, despite the activity behind him. “It was a bit of a cat and mouse game,” said Louder. “The rest of the group was coming hard. I led through the last half of the race and was just trying to keep it up. It was a tricky race. I’m not really a sprinter, but this race favors a strong technical rider. I don’t have fast legs, but if I get in the lead group, like today, it works.”

Aside from phenomenal action, today’s event honored a racing legend. Scott Moninger was presented with the 2008 Legends award for his representation of the cycling community, both on and off the field. Redlands Mayor John Harrison introduced the award and Dan Rendler, the 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic race director introduced Moninger with a summary of his vast accomplishments during his 17 years of racing, including 275 wins, two NRC championships, and two Redlands Bicycle Classic victories. “This race has always been special to me, since 1989,” lamented Moninger. “The community support is what makes it what it is. Thanks a lot to Redlands.”

Women’s Teams Battled it out in the Redlands Bicycle Classic’s Stage Two Race

Redlands, Calif. — April 5, 2008 — A mass of wheels settled against each other as the professional women cyclists lined up in downtown Redlands for day three of racing in the Redlands Bicycle Classic. The Stage Two 1.2 mile downtown Redlands criterium race, sponsored by 1st Centennial Bank/KWB Wealth Managers, brought opportunities for riders to push ahead and grab the winning title. 19-year-old rising Swedish star Emilia Fahlin from Team High Road sprinted across the finish line first, with Alex Wrubleski, from Webcor Builders, and Brenda Lyons, from Advil/Chapstick rounding out the top three. Mara Abbott, with High Road continued her lead in overall points.

The criterium race zips through downtown Redlands, giving riders technical corners and numerous opportunities for attacks. Place changes and fast paces created an ebb and flow, leaving the crowd guessing who would strike the hardest and pull ahead. “This course has a lot of corners and fast laps, which I like,” said Fahlin, who was a first time Redlands Bicycle Classic participant. “Everyone talks about this race. It’s a big goal for the team.” Fahlin fought her way to the end, knowing she had to keep her wheels spinning. “After I took off seconds for the first bonus I was a little tired, so I had to push it.”

Mara Abbott, Fahlin’s teammate, looks forward to tomorrow’s Sunset race closer. “Every year Sunset is a good race, with something unexpected always happening. It’s a great course.”

Today’s event also honored a seasoned rider with extraordinary talent. Scott Moninger was presented with the 2008 Legends award for his representation of the cycling community, both on and off the field. Redlands Mayor John Harrison introduced the award and Dan, the 2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic race director introduced Moninger with a summary of his vast accomplishments during his 17 years of racing, including 275 wins, two NRC championships, and two Redlands Bicycle Classic victories. “This race has always been special to me, since 1989” lamented Moninger. “The community support is what makes it what it is. Thanks a lot to Redlands.”