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Jacques-Maynes wins Sea Otter circuit

Published: Apr. 18, 2009
09 Sea Otter: Andy Jacques-Maynes delivers
09 Sea Otter: Andy Jacques-Maynes delivers
Photo: Brad Kaminski

Team Bissell again put its number to use in the Sea Otter circuit, stacking the two key moves of the day with riders. Andy Jacques-Maynes and Jeremy Vennell rode the last few laps together with Colavita’s Luis Amaran, with Jacques-Maynes attacking over the last climb and holding his gap to the finish.

Astana’s Levi Leipheimer rode comfortably in the group behind. With the three-time Tour of California champion riding the front of the chase, that group eventually whittled down to a small front group of about 10.

The critical move was established as a counter to a six-man move, which stayed away for a few laps.

“Right as the catch was made Jeremy went off,” Jacques-Maynes said. “It was right when everybody was just totally gassed, and trying to save something for the hill. Jeremy went, Luis followed and I followed him out. And nobody else came with us. I think everybody else at that point was just breathing out of their eyeballs, it had been back and forth for three laps before that.”

09 Sea Otter: Leipheimer drove the chase, lap after lap.
09 Sea Otter: Leipheimer drove the chase, lap after lap.
Photo: Ben Delaney

Jacques-Maynes’ win capped off a successful weekend of racing for Bissell, which had a special fan at the finish — Fausto Pinarello, who sponsors the team with his family’s bicycles.

Amaran had also been in the six-man move, and was understandably tired at the finish.

“At the end of the race I didn’t have any power left,” Amaran said through a translator.

After the finish, Leipheimer looked fresh, and said he was happy to have the good training. He lingered for a while afterwards, signing autographs and posing with excited fans.

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