San Dimas, Calif. – On the same day Team Type 1 lost half of its eight-rider squad to illness or injury, there was actually something for it to celebrate following the second stage of the San Dimas Stage Race.

Shawn Milne won three of the four King of the Mountain sprints during Saturday’s 84-mile (135 km) San Dimas Hospital Road Race to move into the lead in that classification. But that wasn’t all. The 27-year-old, fifth-year professional also finished sixth on the stage, while teammate Fabio Calabria – the only rider in the race with Type 1 diabetes – was seventh.

“I’m feeling pretty good after going to the Vuelta Mexico,” Milne said. “Hopefully, I can keep this form rolling into Redlands.”

Milne only needs to finish Sunday’s 90-minute Cannondale Incycle Old Town San Dimas Classic criterium to become Team Type 1’s seventh King of the Mountains (KOM) winner in the team’s two-year men’s professional team history. Last weekend, Jesse Anthony scored the KOM jersey at the Tour de Taiwan.

Milne’s accomplishment and the two top 10 finishes overshadowed an otherwise difficult day for Team Type 1. Darren Lill crashed out of the race and Anthony and Aldo Ino Ilesic also did not finish. Moises Aldape was eliminated after suffering a flat tire.

“Aldo hasn’t recovered from the illness that knocked him out of the Tour de Taiwan and Jesse got sick on his way back from Taiwan and paid for it today,” Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said. “It was unfortunate for Moises that there are no team support cars at this race. By the time the neutral car changed his wheel, the peloton was long gone.”

In 23rd place, Milne is Team Type 1’s best-placed rider in the overall standings, 1:07 behind race leader Ben Day (Fly V Australia presented by Successful Living Foundation). Saturday’s stage winner Phillip Gaimon (Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team) climbed into second place, ahead of Chris Baldwin (Rock Racing), on the strength of a 20-second time bonus.

Milne said Team Type 1 may be short-handed heading into the final stage, but that won’t change the aggressive approach the squad took on Stage 2.

“Ken Hanson was looking good and I’m feeling pretty strong,” Milne said, “so the two of us will definitely team up for the sprint. We’ll see who is feeling better.”

Milne said going after the KOM jersey was part of his motivation when he infiltrated a breakaway on the first trip of 12 around the seven-mile (11 km) circuit.

“The other thing motivating me was the large field,” Milne said. “It was kind of a sketchy race with so many guys (150) so I just wanted to be part of a smaller group.”

Team Type 1′s Shawn Milne (right) powers toward the first King of the Mountains sprint line Saturday on his way to earning the King of the Mountain jersey at the San Dimas Stage Race.

Photo copyright: Brian Hodes, Veloimages