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Hekman, McCaughey win Iron Hill Twilight Criterium

by VeloNews.com

• July 06, 2008
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Mark Hekman (Toshiba-Santo) shouts for joy after winning the 2008 Iron Hill Twilight Criterium.

Photo: Zui Hanafusa

Toshiba-Santo strongman Mark Hekman showed the form he displayed in 2007 by winning Saturday’s fourth annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Hekman, who held the lead in the 2007 USA CRITS Series until a crash at Downers Grove ended his pursuit of the title, lapped this year’s Iron Hill field with 20 laps remaining in the 60-lap event, run on a 1km course.

“I got away on the 10th lap and just crushed it.” Hekman said. “This is a really technical course with the hill on the back side and I thought I was going to die.”

A few days prior to Iron Hill, Hekman switched to a 54-tooth chain ring; he felt the change helped him power away from the competition on a warm, humid Pennsylvania day, leaving the others to fight for the remaining spots on the podium.

With 15 laps to go, Hekman’s teammate, 2007 USA CRITS champ Frank Travieso, made a bid for a cash prime, marked by Time Pro Cycling’s David Guttenplan, and the twosome never looked back. Guttenplan took second with Travieso third.

Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus-NC Racing) won the field sprint with Tibco’s Sarah Caravella second.

Photo: Zui Hanafusa

With Rock Racing’s Rahsaan Bahati skipping the West Chester race, Travieso moved into second overall in the series, and teammate Yosvany Falcon (who finished 10th on the day) took the series lead. Adam Myerson of Time Pro Cycling sits third.

In the 40-lap women’s race, an aggressive group of riders split the field, then crushed all attempts to escape. Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus-NC Racing) won the field sprint with Tibco’s Sarah Caravella second.

Jennifer Wilson (Vanderkitten) finished sixth to take the series lead.

The next event in the USA CRITS Series is the BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown July 16 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more information, see www.usacrits.com.

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