Nebraska Cycling News

Devine Top Finisher in Stage One, Second Overall in Best Young Rider Classification

Macon, Ga. - The USA Cycling National Development Team opened the seven-day Tour de Georgia on Monday with a 153-kilometer stage from Peachtree City to Macon in which John Devine (Dixon, Ill./VMG Racing) was the top finisher for the squad in 23rd place.

The third race on the inaugural USA Cycling Professional Tour and UCI 2.HC-ranked event features five UCI ProTour teams and several additional European and domestic pro outfits in addition to the collection of young development riders.  On Monday, one of those international riders, Italian Daniele Contrini (Tinkoff Credit Systems), attacked a small breakaway to win the Tour's opening stage and pull on the first yellow leader's jersey of the week.

In the Best Young Rider classification, one of the primary goals for the USA Cycling National Development Team, Devine is currently ranked second behind Australian Tommy Nankervis (Jittery Joe's).  Both riders share the same overall time, but Nankervis has the edge based on a better stage finish than Devine. 

Other finishes for the USA Cycling National Development Team in stage one include Sheldon Deeny (Fort Collins, Colo./VMG Racing) in 43rd place, Eric Keim (Deerfield Beach, Fla./AEG-Toshiba-JetNetwork) in 98th place, Chad Beyer (Anthem, Ariz./VMG Racing) in 99th place, Eric Riggs (Antelope, Calif./VMG Racing) in 103rd place, Brian Dziewa (Farmington, Mo./Jelly Belly) in 106th place, Nick Reistad (Brookfield, Wis./Jelly Belly) in 110th place and Caleb Fairly (Amarillo, Texas/VMG Racing) in 112th place. 

Devine and Deeny were the only two team members to finish with the main group, 1:07 back from the winner, as Keim and Beyer finished 1:49 down, Riggs was 2:44 down, Dziewa was 4:56 off the pace and Reistad and Fairly were 6:40 back.

Tuesday features the longest stage of the Tour, a 217-kilometer trek from Thomaston to Rome.

2007 USA Cycling Professional Tour

Tour de Georgia

April 16-22

Stage One

Peachtree City to Macon 

Results

1. Daniele Contrini (ITA) 3:24:26

2. Doug Ollerenshaw (USA) +0:21

3. Ben Day (AUS) +0:28

23. John Devine (Dixon, Ill.) +1:07

43. Sheldon Deeny (Fort Collins, Colo.) +1:07

98. Eric Keim (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) +1:49

99. Chad Beyer (Anthem Ariz.) +1:49

103. Eric Riggs (Antelope, Calif.) +2:44

106. Brian Dziewa (Farmington, Mo.) +4:56

110. Nick Reistad (Brookfield, Wis.) +6:40

112. Caleb Fairly (Amarillo, Texas) +6:40

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 58,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men's road). For more information visit www.usacycling.org or contact, USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.