March 5, 2005 – Jackson Stewart (Los Gatos, CA) of Kodak EasyShare Gallery/Sierra Nevada Professional Cycling Team placed seventh in a sprint finish at today’s McLane Pacific Downtown Criterium in Merced, California, the opening race of the U.S. professional cycling season.

Said Stewart, “It’s the best result I’ve ever had here, and it’s really satisfying result because my Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada teammates all rode well and no one beat me who isn’t a super-fast sprinter.”

Indeed, the six riders ahead of Stewart are known as the fastest finishers in North American cycling, including race winner Gord Fraser (HealthNet-Maxxis).

Stewart added, “I knew I had good legs today when I took an early prime without too much effort.”

The team’s season continues tomorrow with the McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race.