Although presented with fewer stages than in previous years, the Colavita/Sutter Home Cycling Teams presented by Cooking Light proved they needed only one day to triumph at the 2008 International Tour de Toona.  The men’s team dominated the podium, led by race winner Luis Amaran, and Jamaican National Champion Iona Wynter Parks took second in the women’s race.  For the Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Team, the Tour de Toona victory brings the total season individual and team wins to 25!  Summaries of the races from Kirsten Robbins are below....

Representing Colavita/Sutter Home in the 65-kilometer men’s criterium were Luis Amaran, Gustavo Artacho, Alejandro Borrajo, Luca Damiani, Davide Frattini, Kyle Wamsley, and Tyler Wren.  Luis raced to victory after a lengthy solo break away. Teammates Tyler Wren, Kyle Wamsley and Alejandro Borrajo followed in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, respectively when they jumped ahead of a late-race chase group.  A solid 50-second advantage kept Luis safe from the multiple chase groups that formed behind him. Colavita/Sutter Home followed every breakaway until a group of five riders gained a sizeable lead on the field that included Tyler, Kyle and Alejandro. “We wanted to be patient and not let a chase group go until it had the combination of riders that would secure us the top three places,” said Director Sportif Sebastian Alexandre.  Luca Damiani won the field sprint for 7th place, followed by Davide Frattini in 9th.
 
In the women’s race, which followed the same 65-mile criterium route as the men’s race, Colavita/Sutter Home’s Iona Wynter Parks put herself into an early breakaway with Cheerwine rider Laura Van Gilder, an advantage that swelled to over one minute.  Iona’s teammates Tina Pic, Shontell Gauthier, and Nichole Wangsgard covered all other attacks and tried to reduce the gap to the break but strong winds and a technical course aided in the leader’s success. Iona tried to gain some time on Van Gilder by attacking her several times on the climb through the start finish. Iona flew out of the last corner ahead of Van Gilder and held on to second place. Tina Pic won the bunch sprint for 5th place.