Mar 9th, 10. Kiwi Heath Blackgrove stepped on the podium for the third time this US season with a 3rd place in the difficult 100mile Rouge-Roubaix in Louisiana this weekend.

Heath Blackgrove leads Sean Sullivan in a race during the 2009 season © Laura Reed

"The race was crazy, Small Louisiana roads weaving all over the place, up and down and with three long gravel sections thrown in, the longest being 15km or so," Blackgrove told RoadCycling.co.nz last night.

"Apparently the roads had just had new gravel laid so were pretty deep and the deepest they've had in years - which all added to the race."

As to be expected, the riders split up over each of the gravel sections. Blackgrove, the 2009 Tour of Southland champion, was doing fine until the final gravel section.

"The last two dirt sections were also pretty hilly which added another element. I got caught out on a 'wall' at the start of the last section. I was caught behind guys in deep sandy gravel, and had to unclip and walk some of it."

After chasing hard, he rejoined the front group during the 25kms from the final gravel section to the finish line.  Once back up with the leaders, Blackgrove and teammate Sean Sullivan began attacking.

"Sully got away with one other rider. Happy with him up the road, I covered everything behind and made sure they stayed away for the win. Unfortunately, Sean started his sprint too early and just got beaten on the line, and I managed to sprint the next eight riders to take 3rd."

The goal for Blackgrove's Team Hotel San Jose/Mellow Johnny's presented by Subaru-Gary Fisher squad was to win.  They didn't quite manage it, but with two riders on the podium they weren't too upset.

"While we wanted to win, we have to be happy with 2nd and 3rd in what was really a bit of an adventure in a new place for us and some great training for our goals later in the season.  It was  also a new experience and a cool race," said Blackgrove.

The team, which includes Blackgrove and fellow Kiwi Logan Hutchings, has had three wins and a couple of other podiums in the last three weeks. They won 50 races and had 95 podiums in 2009 so they had to start winning early in order to beat their record.

While Blackgrove has mainly been working for the team leading out their sprinter (Josh Carter), he's also earned a 2nd and a 3rd as well as his Rouge-Roubaix podium.

Next up for the Austin, Texas team is some Texas racing with Fayetteville Stage Race and Fort Davis Hammerfest before they head to Georgia and Carolina for Speedweek where they hope to defend the Athens Twilight Criterium title Blackgrove won last year.

Who is Team Hotel San Jose/Mellow Johnny's presented by Subaru-Gary Fisher

A look at the Team Hotel San José/Mellow Johnny’s Presented by Subaru-Gary Fisher jersey and Gary Fisher frame the team will ride in 201 ©Rick Kent, Endurophoto.com.

The addition of Mellow Johnny's bicycle shop, automobile manufacturer Subaru and bicycle maker Gary Fisher reflects a commitment by the team's management company, Redbud Sports, LLC, to build on the momentum from 2009, when the team won 50 races.

"Having the support of companies that are so easily integrated into the cycling scene is both exciting and satisfying," Team Hotel San José/Mellow Johnny's Presented by Subaru-Gary Fisher Executive Director Todd Reed said.

Gary Fisher Bicycles is supplying the team with Gary Fisher Cronus custom carbon road bikes with SRAM red components and HED carbon wheels.  

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• Blackgrove and Hutchings off to Texas