Friedman takes Univest GP crit

By Ian Dille, Special to VeloNews

Michael Friedman (Northwestern Mortgage-Fuji) won the Univest Grand Prix criterium on Sunday from a group of three riders.

While the criterium doesn’t hold a UCI ranking like Saturday’s 160km road race, it is still a hard-fought event. The race in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was added last year, transforming the Univest Grand Prix from a one-day classic to a two-day omnium. The 80km criterium is run on a narrow rectangular course with a small hill before the final turn.

Friedman, the 2001 under-23 national champion, escaped with Chad Hartley (TIAA-CREF), who finished second, and David Clinger (Helen’s RPM) with only two laps to go. The trio quickly built up a seven-second lead that lasted to the finish line.

The day’s main break, which went at only 10 laps in, included Frank Pipp and Garrett Peltonen (Advantage Benefits-Endeavor), Dan Bowman (TIAA-CREF), and Scott Zwizanski (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada).

Peltonen, who bridged up to the break alone after it had already reached its maximum gap of 30 seconds, was also in Saturday’s early move.

“I just sort of hung out the first 20 laps or so of the race. My legs were pretty stiff,” Peltonen said. “But eventually I woke up and realized it was time to start racing my bike. It’s always good to have two guys up there.”

The break’s capture with less than 10 laps to go led to a flurry of attacks, resulting in Friedman’s group slipping away.

Alvaro Tardaguila of Uruguay (UPMC-ACT) finished seventh to wrap up the omnium competition. Meanwhile, Frank Pipp’s work in the break allowed him to inherit the sprint points jersey from teammate Karl Menzies.

FILED UNDER: Road