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Thorburn, Blackgrove take TTs at Central Valley Classic

By VeloNews Interactive
Published: Mar. 11, 2006

Christine Thorburn (Webcor) and Heath Blackgrove (Toyota-United) won the weather-altered opener to the Central Valley Classic on Friday.

The omnium, the third event on the U.S. Cycling Federation’s National Racing Calendar, runs through Sunday in and around Fresno, California.

The CVC was intended to open with the Tollhouse Time Trial, a 6.5-mile (10.46km) hill-climb time trial starting in the small foothill town of Tollhouse and gaining more than 2600 feet of elevation before the finish line south of Pineridge.

But severe weather, including ice and snow that rendered the upper portion of the course unsafe and impassable, forced organizers to use an alternate venue, the mostly flat, 16.5-mile Belmont-Piedra course.

Thorburn handily won her race against the clock in 39:55. Kristen Armstrong (Lipton) was second in 40:47 with Errine Willock (Webcor) third in 41:20.

Blackgrove had tougher sledding, crossing in 36:41 to edge Ben Jacques-Maynes (Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada) by two seconds. Tony Cruz (Toyota-United) was third in 36:57.

Saturday brings the Kearny Circuit race, a fast, flat 15-mile (24km) circuit through the vineyards and farm land surrounding Kearney Park, southwest of Fresno.

The CVC concludes Sunday with the Tower District Criterium, a five-corner, 0.9-mile (1.45km) course south of Fresno's Tower District.

Central Valley Classic Time Trial results
Men
1. Heath Blackgrove, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, 36:41
2. Ben Jacques-Maynes, Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 36:43
3. Tony Cruz, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, 36:57
4. Karl Menzies, Health Net-Maxxis, 37:05
5. Viktor Rapinski, Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 37:24
6. Mike Jones, Health Net-Maxxis, 37:27
7. Svein Tuft, Symmetrics Cycling, 37:31
8. Ryan Blickem, Target Training, 37:46
9. Jose Garcia, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team, 37:48
10. Jackson Stewart, Kodakgallery.com-Sierra Nevada, 37:48

Women
1. Christine Thorburn, Webcor Platinum, 39:55
2. Kristin Armstrong, Team Lipton, 40:47
3. Erinne Willock, Webcor Platinum, 41:20
4. Felicia Gomez, Webcor Platinum, 41:46
5. Leigh Hobson, Victory Brewing Team, 42:07
6. Chrissy Ruiter, Victory Brewing Team, 42:26
7. Catherine Powers, Aaron's, 42:36
8. Betina Hold, Webcor Platinum, 42:49
9. Anne Samplonius, Team Biovail, 42:53
10. Amber Rais, Webcor-Platinum, 43:11

Complete results