March 4, 2008 – Last Saturday, Team RACE Pro rode its first event on Flemish roads – the 11th edition of the Beverbeek Classic, for a total of 168km consisting of 200 riders of 33 teams. As expected a hard cross side Flemish wind was blowing from the start. The peloton rode full speed from the gun, pushing the riders to echelon formation. Buck Miller punctured around the 30km after avoiding a crash in front of him and was unable to get back to the peloton.

Mark Walters and Ryan Roth stayed in front of a decisive split in the race and continued to participate strongly to the finishing circuits (7 x 8.2km) in Hamont-Achel. Joël D-Poitras and Mark Pozniak were surprised by the vivid allure and ferocity of the pack in the wind. It was hard to stay protected and they missed the decisive split. Dustin MacBurnie maintained his position, but his chase group could not regroup with the peloton.

The caravan was impressive consisting of 33 team vehicles, three neutral supports, plus officials and commissaires. The victory went to the Belgium’s Johan Coennen of team Topsport in a sprint against Thomas Berckhout and Momenick Klemme. A total of 115 riders finished the race.

TRP Starters:
– Mark Walters
– Ryan Roth
– Joël Dion-Poitras
– Dustin MacBurnie
– Buck Miller
– Mark Pozniak

Result :
1. Johan Coenen (Bel) Topsport Vlaandeeren in 3h58’00”
2. Thomas Berkhout (Ned) Rabobank Continental Team
3. Domenik Klemme (Ger) Team 3C Gruppe
4. Dirk Müller (Ger) Team Sparkasse
5. Jean Zen (Fra) Team Groupegobert.com.ct at 0’07”
6. Bobbie Traksel (Ned) P3 Transfer – Batavus at 0’18”
7. Eric Baumann (Ger) Team Sparkasse
8. Kenny Liesabeth (Bel) Post Sean Kelly Team
9. Kristof Goddaert (Bel) Topsport Vlaandeeren
10. Coen Vermeltfoort (Ned) Rabobank Continental Team

68. Ryan Roth (Can) Team RACE
84. Mark Walters (Can) Team RACE
DNF Dustin MacBurnie (Can) Team RACE
DNF Mark Pozniak (Can) Team RACE
DNF Joël Dion-Poitras (Can) Team RACE
DNF Buck Miller (Can) Team RACE

Upcoming events for Team RACE Pro
– 09/03/2008 Grand Prix de Lillers (FRA) UCI 1.2
– 12/03/2008 Wanzele Koerse (BEL) Kermese
– 16/03/2008 Kemzeke (BEL) UCI 1.2
– 19/03/2008 Nokere Koerse (BEL) UCI 1.1
– 24-30/03/2008 Tour de Normandie (FRA) UCI 2.2