June 5, 2005 – Stage 3: 10. 5 mile Scenic Gorge TT – in the TT in the morning on a hard 10.5 miles out and back course Svein Tuft (Symmetrics) won handily over teammate and Espoir phenom Christian Meier (Symmetrics). Tuft set a time of 20:50 which was over 1:10 faster than the previous course record. Christian Meier at 20 years-old placed a strong 2nd place 38 seconds back also breaking the previous course record.

Symmetrics put four riders in the top eight as Brad Fairall had a strong ride at 1:06 back and a very sick (bronchitis) Eric Wohlberg at 1:07. Tuft has retaken the leader’s jersey and leads Andy Bajadali(Vitamin Cottage) by 1:09 and Ryan Trebon(1:58)

The bad luck of the day was experienced by Health Net rider Scott Moniger. Approximately 50 metres into the TT he broke his chain which took several minutes to repair before he was able to continue.

Stage 4 – Hood River Criterium (60 minutes)

In the evening the team faced a technical criterium course. The racing was very aggressive and fast from the gun and Symmetrics was able to control the front to protect any GC threats. Andrew Pinfold took the win and Svein Tuft grabbing 3rd. There was no change in the GC following the criterium.

Andrew Pinfold commented, “It was one of the harder crits I have done as the course had some very technical sections and a good hill. The team rode as a well-oiled unit even when they were getting chopped in the corners. We were constantly dealing with riders coming up the inside on the sharpest corner and many times we were almost taken out.”

“All in all a strong night for us and we are preparing for a very hard day tomorrow,” he continued. “The final stage finishes with a 10-mile climb up to the Cooper Spur Ski Resort and there is no doubt others are going to throw everything at us. We have three of four stage wins so far and tomorrow will be the toughest stage of the race. Protecting Svein is going to take total team commitment.”

The last stage kicks off on Sunday with 75 miles of hilly terrain. Stay tuned for the final update.

Stage 4 Results Men

1 Andrew Pinfold (Can) Symmetrics 50.10
2 Russell Stevenson (USA) Benaroya Research
3 Svein Tuft (Can) Symmetrics
4 Esteban Andres (USA) Team Title One-Orbea
5 Troy Heithecker (USA) Benaroya Research
6 Chuck Coyle (USA) Vitamin Cottage
7 Brad Fairall (Can) Symmetrics
8 Michael Hutchinson (USA) Team Spine
9 Michael Hernandez (USA) Team Spine
10 Andrew Fischer (USA) Broadmark Elite

33 Cory Lange (Can) Symmetrics
38 Christian Meier (Can) Symmetrics
46 Jake Erker (Can) Symmetrics
66 Marsh Cooper (Can) Symmetrics
71 Jeff Sherstobitoff (Can) Symmetrics
92 Will Routley (Can) Symmetrics
100 Damien Waugh (Can) Rocky Mountain/Adobe
101 Brad Slater (Can) Rocky Mountain/Adobe