Toyota-United Calls it a Success at this Years Tour de Georgia Presented by AT & T

Los Angeles, CA – The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team finished their third consecutive Tour de Georgia yesterday in Atlanta in what was arguably their most successful major American tour since first putting a wheel on the ground February 14, 2006 at the inaugural Amgen Tour of California; where Toyota-United began its incredible run of nine stage wins in the major American tours by claiming victory in the opening stage. In addition, Toyota-United remains the only team in the world to win at least one stage in every major American tour the past three seasons.

This past week Toyota-United did not disappoint by attacking the race early and often with its stacked team of speedsters and race winner Ivan Dominguez who took out the opening stage in Savannah, where he also picked up the yellow leaders jersey to boot heading into Stage 2.

Stage 2 was another thrilling ride as Justin England attacked at mile marker 40 in a solo breakaway to put the pressure on the other teams who wanted what Toyota-United’s Ivan Dominguez had, the leaders yellow jersey. 61 miles later, the plan worked to perfection, as England was finally caught by the hard charging peloton while teammates Henk Vogels and Dominique Rollin set Dominguez up for what appeared to be another stage win. However, JJ Haedo (CSC) and Greg Henderson (High Road) had a different idea in mind and past Dominguez in the final 100 meters to claim first and second respectively, relegating Dominguez to third place on the stage, but he retained the coveted yellow leaders jersey.

The responsibility of the yellow jersey was beginning to weigh heavy on the Toyota-United team as they were constantly attacked by other teams during Stage 3 of the 108 mile race into Gainesville which featured 7,000 feet of climbing to unseat Dominguez. In addition, Toyota-United’s Ben Day crashed at over 45 miles per hour and broke his bike and helmet in half, but was able to suck it up and finish the stage. Dominique Rollin represented in the finale and ended up 7th place on the day, but Dominguez was never to see the yellow jersey again as Team High Road’s Greg Henderson won the stage and in the process the overall leaders yellow jersey.

The following day saw Toyota-United ride an impressive team time trial around the Road Atlanta race car track finishing 5th on the day, a mere 23 seconds out of first place. “Had Ben not crashed the day before, I really believe in my heart we would have run Team Slipstream close for the win” said Henk Vogels, Toyota-United team captain.

Although, Toyota-United made sure they had representation in every major breakaway for the next three days of racing, in the end, their glory days were behind them as their results were as dark and gloomy as the clouds and rain that filled the sky in Atlanta yesterday during the final stage; where Toyota-United sent Hilton Clarke and the weeks strongman, Justin England up the road in a break only to be caught on the final lap which saw Greg Henderson (High Road) win his second stage of the tour and secure the sprinters points jersey.

“I’m so proud of how our guys rode the tour this week. I’ve never seen our team ride so aggressively and like professionals, which is a testament to our new Team Directors Len Pettyjohn and Scott Moninger and the tenacity of our riders who gave it all they had every day down to the final rainy stage in Atlanta.” said Team Owner Sean Tucker.

Toyota-United will begin racing again this Wednesday April 30th at the Scott Nichols Toyota Presents the Ben D. Altamirano Memorial Tour of the Gila in Silver City, NM.

Photos courtesy of Action Images
A Very Focused Hilton Clarke Receives a Wheel change from Toyota-United mechanic Nick Legan during Stage 7 of the Tour de Georgia


Just in Case Fans Need a Reminder to push Dominguez up Brasstown Bald Mountain During Stage 6 of the Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T

Hilton Clarke and Justin England in the days breakaway but they were caught on the final lap of Stage 7 of the Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T
Team Captain Henk Vogels Before the Start of Stage 5 of the Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T

Dominique Rollin Apparantly Forgot his Sign to Fans to push him up Brasstown Bald Mountain as he tries to cool off at the top after the relentless effort