Hilton Clarke laps field, takes sprint in 2011 Clarendon Cup
- By Brian Holcombe
- Published Jun. 11, 2011
- Updated Jun. 12, 2011 at 9:44 AM EDT
Hilton Clarke made it two in a row at the Clarendon Cup Saturday afternoon.
The UnitedHealthcare rider lapped the field early in the race and took the bunch sprint in the U.S. Air Force Classic opener in Washington, D.C.
With just five corners — and three of them under 90 degrees — the Clarendon course is suited for a breakaway to survive to the finish or even lap the field and that is exactly what UnitedHealthcare set out to do early in the day. Clarke jumped away from the bunch with teammate Adrian Hegyvary and Carlos Alzate (Exergy) in the opening laps of the 155-minute race.
When they made contact with the bunch 20 laps later, UHC and Exergy went to the front and kept the pace high for more than 90 minutes. A number of dangerous moves came together on the front, including one that nearly made contact with the back of the peloton inside 20 laps to go, but nothing stuck.
In the end, Clarke relived his first win with UHC after signing midseason in 2010.
Quick results
- 1. Hilton Clarke, UnitedHealthcare
- 2. Carlos Alzate, Team Exergy
- 3. Adrian Hegyvary, UnitedHealthcare
- 4. Robert Forster, UnitedHealthcare
- 5. Karl Menzies, UnitedHealthcare
FILED UNDER: News / Race Report / Road TAGS: Air Force Cycling Classic / Clarendon Cup / Hilton Clarke
Brian Holcombe
Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. His graduate work in communications at the University of Denver focuses on innovation and digital media management. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.