June 2, 2006 – The CapTech Classic, held in Richmond, Virginia, last night was the springboard for the upcoming “Most Important Week in U.S. Cycling”, better known as Philly Week. Two Criteriums plus a 3-Road Race series that culminates with the 22nd running of the famed 156-Mi. race in the heart of Philadelphia next Sunday, June 11th, is undoubtedly a fine week of racing.

Last evening’s CapTech Classic and the CSC Invitational, being held in Arlington, VA (Washington, DC) on Saturday, give way to the Commerce Bank Triple Crown Of Cycling in Lancaster (June 4), Reading (June, 8) and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With all of the major U.S. squads already in the Philadelphia area, and the daily arrival of the international teams, it truly is the “Week That Defines American Racing.”

CapTech Report:

The Navigators Insurance team dominated the race tonight, with multiple Navigators riders in every early break. Valeriy Kobzarenko fueled major attacks that contributed to the annihilation of the field that included full team rosters. 150 guys started, and in short order the field was down to half its original size. The attacks by Kobzarenko, Sergey Lagutin, and Siro Camponogara had the field cut to a little more than 1/3 well before the mid point of the race.

Finally a 5-man group went clear and Navigators had Mark Walters and Lagutin with Jacques Maynes (Kodak), Stevic (Toyota-United) & Frattini (Colavita). It all looked good until Mark crashed with about 9 laps to go. Jacques Maynes came off, making Stevic the danger man. Mark had to put in a big chase after the crash, and Stevic keyed off Lagutin. Although Mark finally rejoined the breakaway, he had lost a lot of his punch. In the end, Frattini took advantage of the cat-and-mouse game and was able to escape on the last lap, with Lagutin taking second and Mark finishing alone in 4th. For the Navigators Insurance team, it was 5 guys in the top 8, and 7 in the top 15. A strong showing for the team as the racing action starts to hit top speed.

Women

1 Tina Pic (Colavita-Cooking Light)
2 Brenda Lyons (Victory Brewing)
3 Laura Van Gilder (TEAm Lipton)

Men

1 Davide Frattini (Colavita-Sutter Home) 2.25.07
2 Sergey Lagutin (Navigators)
3 Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United)