Pinfold and Grain win the Vancouver stop of the USA CRITS Series

Published July 18, 2008 12:36PM

Canadians Andrew Pinfold and Gina Grain did their countrymen proud at the BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown in Vancouver, this week, the sixth stop in the 2008 USA CRITS Series.

Pinfold, an Ontario native, is a former elite Canadian Criterium Champion, while Grain was the 2007 Canadian National Road Race Champion.

Both victories took place in front of tens of thousands of cycling fans, who lined the barriers three to four rows deep on a perfect summer day.

Pinfold, along with Symmetrics teammate and Olympic-bound athlete Svein Tuft, successfully took on the top sprinters. Grain beat out series leader Kelly Benjamin (Cheerwine) over the tough brick pavement of the course, giving her Webcor Builders team their 10th victory of the season.

After taking the win at the 50-lap men’s event, Pinfold told The Vancouver Sun about his team’s team Gastown conquest after multiple attempts. “… I had all my teammates around me at the end. We kind of managed our way through the chaos. I came from pretty far back on the corner [turning onto Water St.] With 100 meters, I was like ‘Holy crap, I’m going to win Gastown.’ I was pretty psyched.”

Pinfold was able to capitalize on Tuft’s command of the field as the 2007 US Open Champion powered off the front of the pack to stage a 10-lap solo getaway that held until the final moments of the race. Tuft’s work was not in vain, however, as Pinfold and the rest of the Symmetrics squad were able to land a strong counterpunch that brought the Canadian team top honors on the day. Pinfold’s finish was strong enough to put at least a least a bike length between himself and Australian speedster Hilton Clarke, winner of the recent Louisville Metro Police Foundation Criterium in Kentucky. Pinfold’s other teammate, Zach Bell, was third.

By contrast, Grain showed that she was the strongest woman in the field throughout the event, as the 10-year veteran took most of the prize money on offer during the race. As the final laps of the 36km were whittled away, it fell to teammate and fellow Olympian Erinne Willock to lead out Grain who bested Benjamin at the line for the win. Jazz Apple Cycling Team’s Ruth Corset took third.

The USA CRITS Series now heads to Idaho, for Boise’s Wells Fargo Twilight Criterium on Saturday, July 19th. Last year’s winner Ivan Dominguez is set to return to Boise to defend his title on a course that should suit the Cuban sprinter’s style to a tee. Due to construction in the area, this year’s race will be modified to a classic, four-corner 1km circuit over wide streets in the city center. Because of the race’s local popularity, Dominguez and the rest of the field should once again receive a warm greeting from the 15,000-18,000 fans who turned out in 2007.

Results

1. Andrew Pinfold, Symmetrics Cycling in 1:16:07.1
2. Hilton Clarke, Toyota-United in
3. Zach Bell, Symmetrics Cycling in
4. Evan Elken, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling in
5. Kirk O’bee, Health Net Pro Cycling Team in
6. Thomas Soladay, Time Pro Cycling in
7. Mark Hekman, TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife in
8. Yosvany Falcon, TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife in
9. Chris Horner, Astana Cycling Team in
10. Mike Sayers, BMC Pro Cycling Team in
11. Eric Wohlberg, Symmetrics Cycling in
12. Svein Tuft, Symmetrics Cycling in
13. Kiel Reijnen, Team Waste Management in
14. Maxime Vives, Calyon Pro Cycling Team in
15. Jacob Erker, Symmetrics Cycling in
16. Ken Hanson, California Giant/ Specialized in
17. Roman Van Uden, Rubicon-ORBEA in
18. Adam Myerson, Time Pro Cycling in
19. Scott Zwizanski, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in
20. Ryan Anderson, Symmetrics Cycling in
21. Frank Travieso, TOSHIBA-Santo p/b Herbalife in
22. Derrick St John, Jet Fuel Coffee Cycling in
23. Christian Meier, Symmetrics Cycling in
24. Andrew Roche, Pinarello in
25. Jon Parrish, Team Waste Management in
26. Allen Krughoff, Team Rio Grande Cycling in
27. Jared Barrilleaux, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling in
28. Rob Britton, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic in
29. Will Routley, Symmetrics Cycling in
30. Devon Vigus, California Giant/Specialized in 1:16:15.9
31. Cyrus Kangarloo, Team H&R Block in 1:16:17.5
32. Tim Sherstobitoff, Total Restoration Cycling Team in 1:16:18.5
33. Kevin Noiles, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic in 1:16:19.5
34. Francois Parisien, Team RACE Pro in 1:16:29.6
35. Tyler Trace, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic in
36. Jared Nieters, Haymarket Bicycles/Function Drinks in 1:16:33.0
37. Alistair Howard, Kona-Adobe in 1:16:36.5
38. Roman Kilun, Health Net Pro Cycling Team in
39. Kenny Williams, First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team in 1:16:46.4
40. Garrett Peltonen, Bissell Pro Cycling Team in 1:16:52.1
41. Kyle Gritters, Health Net Pro Cycling Team in 1:16:59.7
42. Dave Vukets, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic in 1:17:01.8
43. Cody Stevenson, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling in 1:17:03.5
44. Josh James, Kinesis UK in 1:17:11.6
DNF. Matt Shriver, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling
DNF. Tim Henry, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling
DNF. Trent Wilson, Jittery Joe’s Pro Cycling
DNF. Jonathan Gormick, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Dan Macdonald, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Chris Reid, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Marcel Aarden, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Shawn Goulet, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Matt Potma, Kona-Adobe
DNF. Ron Jensen, Team Waste Management
DNF. Stevie Cullinan, Team Waste Management
DNF. Sean Mazich, Team Waste Management
DNF. Kyle Ward, Team Waste Management
DNF. Cory Forrest, Total Restoration Cycling Team
DNF. Owen Harrison, Total Restoration Cycling Team
DNF. Brad Kerr, Total Restoration Cycling Team
DNF. Dan Skinner, Total Restoration Cycling Team
DNF. Sean Williams, Total Restoration Cycling Team
DNF. Matthew Guse, Calyon Pro Cycling Team
DNF. Mike Norton, Calyon Pro Cycling Team
DNF. Mathew Bell, Calyon Pro Cycling Team
DNF. Mathieu Roy, Calyon Pro Cycling Team
DNF. Dave Brooks, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic
DNF. Nathan Macdonald, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic
DNF. Josh Bartlett, Rubicon-ORBEA
DNF. Logan Hunn, Rubicon-ORBEA
DNF. Carson Miller, Rubicon-ORBEA
DNF. Shaun Morris, Rubicon-ORBEA
DNF. Ryan Hamity, Team Rio Grande Cycling
DNF. Taylor Shelden, Team Rio Grande Cycling
DNF. Brad Bingham, Team Rio Grande Cycling
DNF. John Perkins, Glotman Simpson Racing
DNF. Chris Worsfold, Glotman Simpson Racing
DNF. Maurice Worsfold, Glotman Simpson Racing
DNF. Tom Last, Kinesis UK
DNF. Aaron Levin, Benaroya Research Institute
DNF. James Stangeland, Gin Optics Cycling
DNF. Derrick St John, Jet Fuel Coffee Cycling
DNF. Jeff Ain, Escape Velocity
DNF. Paul Beard, Escape Velocity
DNF. Michael Rothengatter, Escape Velocity
DNF. Owen Sturgess, Escape Velocity
DNF. John Tolkamp, Escape Velocity
DNF. Mark Macdonald, Team H&R Block
DNF. Bryce Fegley, Fanatik Bike Co.
DNF. Nic Hamilton, Team Aviawest
DNF. Kurtis Vallee, Team Aviawest
DNF. Russell Stead, La Bicicletta
DNF. Chris Squire, La Bicicletta
DNF. David Gillam, Cycle Solutions
DNF. Kyle Fry, Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny’s Racing
DNF. Jesse James Collins, Bicisport Gruppo Sportivo Campione
DNF. Aaron Chappell, ERTC
DNF. Guy Biggar, Escape Velocity / DEVO
DNF. Grant Boursaw, Greggs/Lemond
DNF. Shaun Adamson, Juventus
DNF. Joe Wessel, Kelowna Cycle Opus sd23
DNF. Andy Traslin, Team Suarez/North Face/Steed/Ryders
DNF. Dana Williams, TNA/Shape Properties
DNF. Seth Hansley, Locos Grill & Pub
DNF. Mike Traslin, North Face Suarez Ryders Steed
DNF. Geoff Macdonald, ERTC/Revolution Cycle
DNF. Sebastian Salas, Campione-Ratcliff Racing Team
DNF. David Richter, Benaroya Research Institute
DNF. Chris Hipp, Labor Power
DNF. Cooper Lange, Hagens Berman
DNF. Stephen Ferris, ERTC/Revolution Cycle
DNF. Jonathan Cheung, Independent
DNF. Matthew Cottrell, Team Aviawest
DNF. Andy Jacques-maynes, California Giant/ Specialized
DNF. Keith Miller, California Giant/ Specialized
DNF. Jamie Sparling, TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic
DNF. Brandon Crichton, Independent

Gina Grain, (Burnaby BC), Webcor Builders Cycling Team in 52:39.3
Kelly Benjamin, (Kansas City MI), Cheerwine Pro Cycling in
Ruth Corset, (Condon NZ), Jazz Apple Cycling Team in
Alison Testroete, (Abbotsford BC), Aarons Women’s Professional Cycling in
Lisa Howard, (Langley BC), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada in
Jenny Trew, (Calgary AB), Vanderkitten Racing in
Melissa Sanborn, (Oregon), Vanderkitten Racing in
Susannah Pryde, (Auckland NZ), Jazz Apple Cycling Team in
Lara Kroepsch, (Boulder CO), ValueAct Capital Cycling Team in
Monique Hanley, (Yarragon AUS), Team Type 1 in
Sarah Stewart, (Richmond BC), Total Restoration Cycling Team in
Jennifer Wilson, (California), Vanderkitten Racing in
Marni Hambleton, (Vancouver BC), ValueAct Capital Cycling Team in 52:42.8
Taitt Sato, (Palo Alto CA), ValueAct Capital in
Patricia Bailey, (Seattle WA), Wines of Washington in
Marie-claude Gagnon, (Vancouver BC), Glotman Simpson in
Malindills Maclean, (Cleve-Don NZ), Jazz Apple Cycling Team in
Erinne Willock, (Victoria BC), Webcor Builders Cycling Team in
Amy Herlinveaux, (Sidney BC), Dearden Construction in 52:45.2
Morgan Schneidler, (Seattle WA), Wines of Washington in
Laura Brown, (Calgary AB), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada in
Natasha Elliott., (Belleville ON), EMD Serono/Stevens in
Gillian Moody, (Kelowna BC), Total Restoration Cycling Team in
Yukie Nakamura, (Japan), Team Kenda Tire in 52:47.4
Marisa Russell, (Chandler AZ), Procon/FNBA in
Monica Nelson, (Kelowna BC), Total Restoration Cycling Team in
Lisa Dorian, (Vancouver BC), Chicks Cycling Club in
Barb Zimich, (North Vancouver BC), zimichcoaching club in
Heather Kay, (Sherwood Park AB), ERTC/Revolution Cycle in
Leslie Vice, (North Vancouver), Glotman Simpson in
Kristine Brynjolfson, (Delta BC), Team Coastal in
Moriah Macgregor, (Vancouver BC), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada in
Steph Roorda, (Calgary AB), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada in
Mandy Poitras, (Langley BC), Escape Velocity / DEVO in
Megan Elliott, (Bend OR), Independant in 52:52.5
Sarah Bamberger, (San Francisco CA), Cheerwine Pro Cycling in 52:59.1
Lauren Ellis, (Heinz NZ), Jazz Apple Cycling Team in 53:25.0
Hannah Banks, (Brisbane AUS), ValueAct Capital
Heather Lamson, (Squamish BC), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada
Jessica Hannah, (Lake Country BC), Giant Bicycles/Team Whistler Canada
Jennifer Schulz, (Kelowna BC), Total Restoration Cycling Team
Kelsey Miller, (North Vancouver BC), Wedgewood Cycling Team
Rachel Canning, (Lions Bay BC), Escape Velocity / DEVO
Fiona Macleod, (Ajax ON), TREK Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic
Alyssa Weninger, (Unity SK), Sask/BCW
Margaret Pugh, (Vancouver BC), Chicks Cycling Club
Tela Crane, (Bellingham WA), Vanderkitten Racing
Amara Boursaw, (Stanwood WA), Gregg’s Lemond
Jennifer Triplett, (Seattle WA), Avanti Racing
Jaymie Mcgowan, (Victoria BC), Oak Bay Bikes