Photo: Dennis Johnson

Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium
Charlotte, NC
August 2, 2008
Race Report by Kirsten Robbins

Colavita/Sutter Home’s Alejandro Borrajo Wins Biggest One-Day Prize Purse

The Colavita/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Cooking Light brought its A-team to the 80-km criterium held on the streets of Charlotte, NC.  The squad included Alejandro Borrajo, Luis Amaran, Luca Damiani, Davide Frattini, Gustavo Artacho, and Kyle Wamsley, each of whom played an integral role in the team’s success with representation in every significant breakaway during the twilight event.  The 35,000+ fans who lined the streets got quite the show as the pro men raced around the 2-km dumbbell-shaped circuit in pursuit of the $50,000 purse plus lucrative lap primes.  Luca Damiani kicked off the evening’s excitement in a two-lap solo breakaway, which forced the opposing teams to use their energy early on to bring him back. Luis Amaran continued to impress the crowds with a five-lap solo effort, picking up the lucrative cash primes along the way. Alejandro and teammate Kyle Wamsley jumped into a winning late-race break away and worked together against some of the top sprinters in the US.   Alejandro flew around the final bend in a 500-meter drag race sprint to the line and took a convincing lead to claim the victory.  As Alejandro said after the podium presentation, “I want to thank my Colavita/Sutter Home teammates.” He continued, “They rode tremendously today and I want to dedicate this victory to them.”
 

Photo: Dennis Johnson

Tina Pic of the Colavita/Sutter Home Women’s Cycling Team finished third in the 23-lap pro women’s criterium.