July 5, 2004 – The Navigators Insurance Cycling Team went one-two today in
the 50-mile stage four Criterium of the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic Stage
Race, in Fitchburg, MA. Navigators’ Mark Walters held the 3rd place
position in the Overall G.C. following his win in yesterday’s Wachusett
Mountain road stage, while Mark McCormack (Colavita) took the Overall
victory.

Entering the final stage, the Colavita squad held the top-two spots in the
overall with Walters 40-seconds in arrears. The Colavita riders
maintained a large presence at the front of the peloton in defense of
their leader, relinquishing control for the Point Sprints that came every
five laps or so. Although many attacks were launched, none were able to
gain more than 12-seconds owing to the depth of strength on the leader’s
team.

With 40 of the 55 laps completed, Mark Walters attacked following the
sprint for points gaining a small lead on the strung-out peloton. Over
the next two laps he was joined by several other opportunists. The
Colavita riders were digging deep to protect against Walters’ attack, and
the
potential to gain the time needed to move up on the podium. Several more
attacks were launched as other riders sensed the vulnerability of the
Colavita team. The bid for success was foiled as members of other teams
seemed more interested in containing any escape attempts in order to
ensure a field sprint, than attacking the leader’s jersey.

The pace of the race picked up dramatically as the lap counters hit single
digits and the riders began to sniff the finish line. With just over one
lap remaining, the Navigators squad lined up the leadout for Viktor
Rapinski. As race announcer Rich Fries called the final 400-meters, the
crowd went wild as two Navigators Insurance riders hit the finish line
side-by-side and over a full bike-length in front of third place Mark
McCormack. The real surprise of the day was the fact that Rapinski was in
2nd place as Navigators’ Assistant Directeur Franky Van Haesebroucke was
the first to cross the finish line. As a professional racer Franky was
known as a good sprinter, and had entered the event for fun and fitness,
completing all four stages of this ‘open’ event. Following his surprise
win, Franky told the crowd that he had been beaten several years ago on
this course by Baden Cooke (Tour de France Sprint Jersey winner) because
of a mistake he had made on the final lap. He corrected his mistake
today, and it was good enough to take the stage win. The Overall G.C.
didn’t change,
with the ever-consistent Mark McCormack retaining the Orange Leader Jersey.

Stage 4:
1. Franky Van Haesebroucke (Navigators Insurance)
2. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
3. Mark McCormack (Colavita)

Overall G.C.:
1. McCormack
2. Will Frischkorn (Colavita)
3. Mark Walters (Navigators Insurance)