Salisbury

08-02-2013 07:14:39

Along with the exceptionally hot North Carolina temperatures, ‘The Crossroads’ omnium finale delivered sizzling hot racing.

The City Park Criterium in Salisbury was the final stage of the 5 day omnium. Each lap of the 1 mile rectangular crit featured a tough uphill finish. Thomas Brown of North Carolina based, Team Mountain Khakis presented by Cycle-Smart, had the leader’s jersey and a full squad to defend it. While their primary goal was to protect Brown and the overall lead, they were determined to use teamwork to get the stage win as well. Teammate Travis Livermon was credited with most of the attacks. A late Livermon attack was countered by what would be the winning break of teammate Jerome Townsend and Hincapie / Green Creation riders, Chris Harkey and David Flynn. Townsend, out-numbered, and with his race leader teammate in the field, left the driving to the Hindcapie men. Amazingly, Harkey lead for almost the entire break, with Flynn in the coveted position of third wheel. After Harkey took the trio through the last turn, it was Townsend that took the hill and the win. Flynn was second, Harkey third and Livermon took forth from another field attack.

Brown finished at the front of the field, kept his lead and won the overall series. The classic is an exciting race – after 5 days of racing, Brown hadn’t actually considered his win secured, until the final turn. Brown was happy to please his local supporters, “A series like Crossroads is a lot of fun for us. The team is based out of Winston[-Salem, NC]. It’s local for us and you have to put on a good show.” On what the win meant to the team, Brown said “The week comes down to good teamwork every night. [The win] is huge for us right now. We’ve got good momentum going and hopefully we can continue it through the rest of the year.”

Race director Neil Boyd, of Charlotte Sports Cycling, put on a great event and his volunteers from the Giordana-Cliff Bar Cycling Team really made it all happen.

Weldon Weaver