Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 2007

Russellville, Ark. – Chris Baldwin (pictured at right) came excruciatingly close to winning the Tri-Peaks Challenge Sunday.

The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team’s all-arounder chased hard to catch Andrew Bajadali (Jelly Belly Cycling Team) on the tortuous 18 percent grade of Mount Nebo. But when Baldwin crossed the finish line after nearly 11 hours of racing over four days, he found himself five seconds short.

“Of course I’m frustrated,” Baldwin said. “But the team orchestrated our plan perfectly. The guys led me into the final climb and put me in great position.”

Ivan Stevic, who won the Stage 3 criterium, was the final Toyota-United rider to drive the pace leading up to the final climb. His lung-searing effort dropped all but five riders: teammates Baldwin and Justin England, Bajadli, Predag Prokic (AEG-Toshiba-JetNetwork) and Javier Zapata (Caico Cycling).

Overall race leader Karl Menzies (Health Net presented by Maxxis), who had a 27-second lead over Baldwin coming into the final stage, was one of those left behind in the final miles. Menzies wound up sixth in the final standings.

“We did everything that we planned and we didn’t make any mistakes today,” Stevic said. “But Bajadali was just stronger and had better legs in the end.”

England helped pace Baldwin until the closing miles, when Bajadali attacked. The difference in the end proved to be the 15-second time bonus Bajadali was awarded for the win. Baldwin received a 10-second bonus for second place to secure his fourth podium finish at a National Race Calendar event this season.

“I took a lot of time out of him (Bajadali) in the Stage 4 time trial and that was important,” Baldwin said. “Unfortunately, I just didn’t have the best legs today.”

Toyota-United put five riders in the top 20 in the final overall standings. Caleb Manion, who finished third to Stevic on Stage 3, was seventh overall, England was 10th, Stevic finished 14th and Burke Swindlehurst was 16th.

Stevic’s stage win was his second of the season and the team’s 16th overall. Teammate Sean Sullivan helped set up the
victory by spending nearly the entire race in a two-man breakaway.

“Health Net was chasing so hard that if you weren’t in the first 30 guys, you were off the back,” Toyota-United Team Director Kirk Willett said. “The field was pretty much blown to bits.”

Another highlight of the race was the return of Heath Blackgrove, who had been out with a leg injury since the Amgen Tour of California.

Up next for Toyota-United is the six-day, six-stage Mt. Hood Cycling Classic in Hood River, Ore. It begins May 29.

Labels: Chris Baldwin