Busche Edges Out Hincapie in US Pro Road Race National Championship
5/30/11 – Matthew Busche (Team RadioShack) pulled off the photo finish victory to take the 2011 USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Championship in downtown Greenville, S.C. on a blazing hot Memorial Day. The 26-year-old nipped hometown hero George Hincapie (BMC Racing Team) at the line, keeping the three-time champion from gaining his fourth Stars-and-Stripes in front of his home crowd.
“It's hard to go to the line with George (Hincapie). He's known to be a really good sprinter. That's how he's won this race multiple times,” said Busche. “I had no idea (I had won). I knew it was close, but I don’t usually do bike throws so I had no idea who won.”
Mid-way through the 115-mile race, a strong group of eight riders was able to build more than three minutes on the field, and with all the major teams represented their prospects looked promising. The powerful field turned up the pace, despite the heat, on the final of four 22.5-mile large loops and a new lead group of nine was quickly established, including many of the heavy hitters.
Tejay VanGarderen (HTC-Highroad) then attacked on the final climb up Paris Mountain breaking the lead group apart and leaving things to himself, Hincapie, Busche and Ted King (Liquigas-Cannondale) heading into the finishing circuits.
VanGarderen made a move early in the first of three 4.2-mile finishing circuits, but couldn’t get away. In the homestretch Hincapie jumped, but Busche was able to grab his wheel and outsprint the five-time Olympian for the national title.
“Matthew made a nice move where he went and then he sat up, so I thought he was finished,” explained Hincapie. “Obviously, he wasn't. He was able to get on my wheel and come around me in the end. It was a great race by Matthew. I gave everything I possibly had, put it all on the line and I'm proud of my effort. I'm proud of Matthew's effort. He hasn't been racing that long and he's done very well, here, in particular. I'm disappointed that I didn't win, but he's a very suitable national champion.”
Despite the soaring temperatures and signature southern humidity, the 44 finishers recorded the fastest time on this course since it was slightly adapted in 2009. Today’s mark of 4:28.02 is more than 16 minutes faster than reigning champ Ben King’s (Team RadioShack) 2010 time of 4:44.59.
For the blossoming Busche, a former collegiate cross-country runner who has only been in the sport of cycling for a few years, the professional road national championship marks the first major victory of his career. Saturday’s time trial bronze medalist also becomes the first rider to earn podium finishes in both the time trial and the road race in the six-year history of the current format.
A one-hour wrap show will also air on the Versus network Sunday, June 5 at 4 p.m. EST.
USA Cycling Professional Road Race National Championship
Greenville, S.C.
May 30, 2011
Full Results >
1. Matthew Busche (Wauwatosa, WI/Team Radio Shack) 4:28:02
2. George Hincapie (Greenville, SC/BMC Racing Team) 4:28:02
3. Ted King (Brentwood, N.H./Liquigas-Cannodale) 4:28:04
4. Tejay VanGarderen (Fort Collins, CO/HTC-Highroad) 4:28:09
5. Kyle Wamsley (Alburtis, Pa./Bissell Cycling) 4:29:31
6. Alex Candelario (Reno, Nev./Kelly Benefit Strategies-OptumHealth) 4:29:32
7. Kenneth Hanson (Santa Barbara, Calif./Jelly Belly presented by Kenda) 4:29:32
8. Benjamin King (North Garden, Va./Team RadioShack) 4:29:32
9. Brent Bookwalter (Athens, Ga./BMC Racing) 4:29:32
10. Chase Pinkham (Salt Lake City, Utah/Bissell Cycling) 4:29:33
