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TOYOTA-UNITED KICKS OFF NRC CALENDAR WITH WIN AT MERCO CYCLING CLASSIC’S DOWNTOWN GRAND PRIX
Ivan Dominguez gets 4th win of the season
With only a few laps remaining and team Health Net dominating a three-man break that threatened to get away, Toyota-United led the assault to bring it back, finally catching it with less than a mile and a half to go. A sprint finish ensured, the team focused on setting up Dominguez for the final charge to the line and executed perfectly.
Ivan Dominguez winner of the Merco Credit Union Downtown Grand Prix.
photo © Kathleen Poulos
“Our guys had to do a lot of chasing to keep Health Net in check,” says Team Director Kirk Willet. “In the last three laps it was Ivan Stevic who made some big moves to take Henk (Vogels) right up where he needed to be to make it happen for Ivan.”
The fast, fifty-lap race through a .8 mile loop in downtown Merced, is notorious for breakneck speeds and feverish aggression in the peloton, and according to Willett, this year was no different.
“There was a lot of nervous anxiety out there today. It’s the first race on the NRC calendar and everyone wants to win,” says Willett. “Health Net was really aggressive out there and our guys had their work cut out for them. It was a tough battle, but in the end, we delivered.”
Dominguez was thrilled with the win, but more proud of his teammates and the early chemistry with new lead-out man Henk Vogels “With one and a half laps to go, I was right behind Henk and he took off. He was going so fast, he was incredible. He always knows when to go and how fast. After only a few races with him, I can say it’s pretty nice to have him around.”
Dominguez’s victory is his fourth of the 2007 season. Prior to his Stage 7 win at the Amgen Tour of California on February 25th, he won the Red Trolley Classic Criterium in San Diego and the Roger Milliken Memorial Criterium in Brea, CA.
Tomorrow, Toyota-United completes the Merco Cycling Classic with the Foothills Road Race, a 120 mile race over 5 laps of a rolling 24 mile loop.
About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.: Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates ten manufacturing plants including one under construction. There are more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sell more than 2 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs over 32,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $13 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
About United Pro Cycling Team, L.L.C.
Based in Newport Beach, California, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Cycling, L.L.C, United Pro Cycling Team is owned and operated by Sean Tucker. Comprised of some of the top cycling talent in the country, it is positioned to be the premier cycling team in America. In addition to its racing team, United Cycling, L.L.C, wholly owns and operates United Bicycles, L.L.C. The team has also designated the United Cycling Foundation, Inc. as its designated charity, committed to raise awareness and funds for American causes including homelessness and the environment.
Additional Toyota-United Sponsors:
In 2007, The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is exclusively sponsored by, Bicycling Magazine, Bontrager, Champion System, Fuji Bicycles, Shimano, SockGuy, Tifosi Optics, and United Bicycles, in addition to title sponsor Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
