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Anthony (top) and Jacques-Maynes in yesterday's time trial |
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Dahlonega, Georgia (April 21, 2006) - With four categorized
climbs and nary a mile of flat ground, today's 119-mile stage 4 of the Ford
Tour de Georgia would have been the race's most difficult so far - even
without the hail and pouring rain.
Out of a roughly 50-rider group that crossed the line together, Kodakgallery.com/Sierra
Nevada's Ben Jacques-Maynes earned his second 6th place finish of the race
and the team's youngest rider, Jesse Anthony, continued his impressive effort
with a 13th place result.
"Jesse and I made a little hit squad
and him 'em at the right time in the last kilometer. I think was only about
the 10th fastest guy, but Jesse gave me a killer leadout that put me in
great position," Jacques-Maynes noted.
Describing Anthony's ride, the Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada team leader
added, "When we came over the first climb, I put my head down and was
going for it, then I heard Jesse behind me saying, 'Hey Ben, I'm here.'
It's really good to see him riding so well and I'm really looking forward
to helping him do well in the future."
Anthony said after the finish, "I am surprised that I'm doing so well
in these stages. I didn't think I'd be riding this well, but I'll just keep
fighting over these climbs. Generally I'm a pretty good climber, so it's
more the fast finishers where I'm surprising myself. I'm stronger than I've
ever been in my life, and it's pretty exciting to feel that way in the biggest
race of my first pro season."
Also in the stage, Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada's Mike Dietrich jumped
into the early break that snuck away before the first major climb of Fort
Mountain, which came just 25km into the stage.
"It was my first in a break in a big international race like this,
and it was actually kind of fun," said the first-year pro, who took
second in the day's first sprint point.
After today's stage, Jacques-Maynes and Anthony sat 28th and 38th overall.
Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada's Dominique Perras, Scott Zwizanski, Jackson
Stewart, and Mike Dietrich are now 71st, 76th, 91st and 99th. Pete Lopinto
and Dan Schmatz abandoned during today's stage.
Culminating with the climb to the 4,784-foot summit of Brasstown Bald, tomorrow's
race is the signature stage of the Ford Tour de Georgia, and will almost
certainly decide the final outcome of the race.
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