Denver, CO (August 5, 2007) Sunday was the biggest criterium on the 2007 Colorado racing calendar. Racers faced a 1-mile course with a small hill and a 125-man field packed with pros from a range of top teams including Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team, Slipstream and BMC Racing.

The race opening was FAST. So fast, few moves had a chance to form any advantage on the field. A bit before the half-way mark, Kodak Gallery’s Pete Lopinto, working back from a season of having been sidelined by illness, attacked solo and gained an advantage on the field that he held for 3 laps. Lopinto grabbed a prime for his effort and re-joined the field.

Lopinto and others in the field continued to attack, but no advantages were earned. With eight laps to go, BMC’s Dan Schmatz sprinted for a prime and three others followed his move. Those four riders ended up evading the grasp of the field over the final laps and Schmatz took the win over a Slipstream rider. Kodak Gallery’s Lopinto duked it out with the remainder of the field and edged out Colby Pearce to take the field sprint for 5th place.

The result marked an important and exciting return to form for Lopinto who has been sidelined much of the 2007 season with illness. “I am pretty stoked to be feeling better and racing back at the level I expect of myself. I am super motivated to make a strong come back in the final races of the season!”

Team Director, Kurt Stockton added, “We are thrilled to see Pete making a nice recovery. We have missed his leadership and experience on the road and look forward to seeing him return to action with the Team.”
 

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