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 May 3rd, 09. Roman Van Uden, the 20 year old kiwi rider in team Land Rover Orbea, won today's criterium in the Tour of Gila in what was called a crazy wild race.
Team Land Rover-ORBEA savours kiwi win...
With two laps left of the forty lap Silver City criterium, race leader Levi Leipheimer narrowly avoided crashing when Scott Nydam crashed in front of him. Luckily he wasn't hurt and finished the race looking uncomfortable on teammate Chris Horner's rather oversized bike, maintaining his overall lead.
Earlier in the race it looked like another kiwi, Jeremy Vennell from Bissell Pro Cycling, was heading to the podium. With four laps to go he was out in front with a group of five riders with a small lead on the peloton. With two laps to go Vennell pulled out to take the solo lead. It was not to be.
Roman Van Uden came to the front and comfortably took the sprint win. The only words we've had from the young kiwi so far, "I'm still fizzing".
Team Photo: Roman Van Uden for Land Rover Orbea (c)Lyne Lamoureux
In the women's tour, kiwi Cath Cheatley (Colavita Sutter Home p/b) sprinted for third place in the criterium continuing her consistent results earning her 5th place in the GC to date.
With the power of Twitter, here's how the last few laps of the men's crit panned out, direct from the riders...
"Gila crit = rough, windy, last 2 laps were chaotic, my bud Scott Nydam crashed right in front of me, I didn't but had to do 2 laps on my teammate Chris Horner's bike, way too big for me, it was quite interesting!!" Levi Leipheimer
"I took a weird line in a corner with two laps to go, put it over, knuckles ground to the bone but ok" Scott Nydam
"I'm not hurt, barely kissed the pavement, but my handlebars got all jacked up so I had to get another bike... Cest la vie" Taylor Phinney - who finished the race on teammate, and kiwi, Sam Bewley's bike.
"Felt strong today. Bad position 10 laps to go. My fault. Feel good after 3 weeks back on road. Up another notch after this tour hopefully" - Sam Bewley, kiwi with Trek-Livestrong.
"Crit was fast today, team rode well but had some bad luck at the end. Congrats to Roman Van Uden ... impressive" Jesse Sergent, kiwi with Trek-Livestrong.
"Congrats to today's winner Roman Van Uden. His team helps raise funds for Livestrong too. We appreciate their help!" Lance Armstrong
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