| Dylan Casey gave the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team its first victory of the season today by taking the second stage of the Redlands Classic, a 10-mile time trial held in East Highlands. Casey, the 1998 National time trial championl, was one of only four riders to clock a time of under 22 minutes in the windy stage. Casey’s winning time was 21:49, four seconds ahead of Clark Sheehan of 7UP/Colorado Cyclist. “After a number of second places last year, this is my first time trial victory since winning the National championship,” Casey said following the stage. “I was second at last year’s time trial at Redlands, and also second in the TT stage at the Tours of Luxembourg and Holland. It feels great to finally win one.” Casey’s stage victory moved him into third place overall – 50 seconds back of Sheehan – heading into tomorrow’s crucial third stage, the 93 mile road race from Redlands to summit of Oak Glen, some 4,883-feet above sea level. “Tomorrow’s road stage will go a long way in determining the overall winner of the race,” Casey added. “We have many cards to play and will be aggressive throughout.” USPS riders Marty Jemison and Levi Leipheimer also placed in the top 10 in today’s stage, placing sixth and ninth, respectively. Jemison finished 20 seconds back of Casey while Leipheimer crossed the line nine seconds later, 29 seconds back. In the overall GC, Jemison is in seventh with Leipheimer in 10th. Both are within 1:12 of race leader Sheehan. The USPS’ David George is also within striking distance, in 20th overall, just 1:52 back. STAGE TWO, REDLANDS CLASSIC 1. Dylan Casey, USPS; 10 miles in 21:49 2. Clark Sheehan, 7UP/Colorado Cyclist; at :04 3. Dave Zabriskie, 7UP/Colorado Cyclist; at :05 4. Chris Horner, Mercury; at :10 5. Roland Green, Team GT; at :15 *** 6. Marty Jemison, USPS; at :20 9. Levi Leipheimer, USPS; at :29 25. David George, USPS; at 1:10 xx. Kirk O’Bee, USPS; n/a GC AFTER TWO STAGES, REDLANDS CLASSIC 1. Sheehan; 2:20:29 2. Zabriskie; at :06 3. Casey; at :50 4. Horner; at :52 5. Green; at :55 *** 7. Jemison; at 1:02 10. Leipheimer; at 1:12 20. George; at 1:52 xx. O’Bee; n/a |
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