Rock Racing’s Rodriguez Runner-Up At Capital Criterium
Washington, D.C. — Fred Rodriguez of Rock Racing sprinted to a runner-up finish Sunday at the inaugural ING Direct Capital Criterium.
Only Hilton Clarke (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) was faster on the 52-mile (85 km) race through the streets of Washington, D.C. Toyota-United’s Dominique Rollin finished third.
Rodriguez and U.S. criterium champion Rahsaan Bahati were Rock Racing’s lone representatives in the 69-lap race around a six-corner course. The two played it safe, waiting for the inevitable field sprint after numerous breakaways failed to get free of the 100-rider strong field.
“I was actually going to sprint for him (Bahati),” Rodriguez said. “But with three laps to go, he lost contact with me and was never able to catch back on.”
Coming out of a sweeping, 180-degree turn that led up the long finishing straight, Rodriguez made his move, launching the fast finish that has helped him to five top-three placings this season.
“Unfortunately, I took the wrong side of the road to pass on, but it was still close,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez’s second-place finish was Rock Racing’s 86th podium result of the season.
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