Auckland, New Zealand, 25 July, 2011 – PureBlack Racing’s Shem Rodger has finished third in the final stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic in Oregon. Rodger got away in a break of nine to take his first podium in the US this season in the five lap Circuit race.

Despite a fast and furious start it wasn't till the beginning of the fourth lap that a break including Rodger finally got away. The break quickly extended their lead out to 1 minute 30 seconds by the start of the fifth and final lap. The peloton gained ground on the hill climb on the last circuit as RealCyclist and Bissell worked hard at the front.

As the break reached the last kilometre the gap was down to 40 seconds and it became obvious that the leading men were going to run into the back of the women’s race. The drive to the line was incredibly chaotic as the leading men caught the finish of the women’s race creating all sorts of additional hazards in the run to the line.

“While I’m really happy with my result it was a pretty frustrating finish,” commented Rodger. “I was in the perfect spot and was backing myself to go all the way when we hit the back of the women’s race caravan. We were slamming on brakes, one of the Garmin riders crashed and the Kenda rider did the best job of slipping through the mayhem to take the win.”
Carl Williams, Sports Director of PureBlack Racing said, “We’re really pleased with how we finished the tour. In the last couple of days we got our momentum back finishing the tour with a second, two thirds, two fourths and a tenth from six stages of racing. Tour of Utah here we come.”
Glen Chadwick finished in the Top 10 on Overall GC with a tenth place and the PureBlack Racing team finished 6th on Overall Team GC.

Results for the 6 day Cascade Cycling Classic:

Roman Van Uden – Podium Finish 2nd (Prologue)
Tim Gudsell – Podium Finish 3rd (Prologue)
Glen Chadwick – Top 5 Finish 4th (TT)
Glen Chadwick – Top 10 Finish 10th (Stage 3)
Mike Northey – Top 5 Finish 4th (Stage 4)
Shem Rodger – Podium Finish 3rd (Stage 5)
Glen Chadwick – 10th place on Overall GC
PureBlack Racing – Overall Team GC 6th

For more information on the team and racing schedule see www.pureblackracing.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media