Dateline: Friday Morning
Although Ben Stengel retained his Friday Morning Championship's Points Jersey, a little known sprinter, Chris St. Clair, made Stengel work throughout the morning's ride. Stengel bested St. Clair with 9 City Limit Signs to St. Clair's 7 with several epic close sprints. Until recently, St. Clair was only known for his time trialing abilities.
Each of the first several signs were hotly contested with St. Clair showing Stengel early on that there was going to be a challenge for the day's title. By the time the peleton reached Big Bend, the pace leading into that slight uphill sign was well above A number of signs were decided by less than a meter. The Racine County Line and Caldwell Limits quick double etched pain on both the rider's faces. And, through Mukwonago the triple signs saw the sprinters and the peleton rocketing through the quiet little burg. After Mukwonago, it seemed as if St. Clair became stronger as Stengel slowly faded. Stengel gave up the coveted 2nd Vernon sign at that uphill sprint. And then, Stengel allow St. Clair a solo break on Concrete Hill which St. Clair held onto for the final New Berlin sign of the ride.
After the ride, St. Clair was questioned about the solo breakaway. "I was just feeling really good. I saw Ben and pack falling back on Concrete Hill. I figured I would just keep the hammer down around the next corner. When I saw they weren't bridging and then the motorbike flashed me a +20, I knew I had a chance to keep them away and collect that last sign. As I was approaching the sign I noted the helicopter moving out for a wider picture. So, I knew no one was even close to me. Overall, although I didn't win, I feel I at least made Ben work for the signs. I took a few very close sprints and I think the uphill at Vernon 2 will crush a few of Ben's dreams for a while. Most of all, I made up for 2 weeks ago when I think he collected all 16 signs."
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