September 1, 2009 (Binghamton NY) – Planet Energy Pro Cycling Team headed to Binghamton NY this weekend for the Chris Thater Memorial race and the final event of the NRC Series in the USA. It was an important goal for the team to race flat out cohesively and tune up for the Tour of Missouri beginning one week today.

From the gun the Planet Energy riders made the race hard and sustained. Francois Parisien opened the race early with a solo effort hoping that some other strong men would join in the attempt. With no riders participating Parisien returned to the bunch and new counter attacks were sprung. Eric Boily and Bruno Langois and Andrew Randell were all active ensuring good control on the front of the race. At around 15 laps to go, the most important breakaway of the day formed with Ryan Roth (Planet Energy), Anibal Borrajo (Colavita), Clay Murfet of Kelly Benefit Strategies, Amauri Perez of Mengoni, Mark Walters and one additional Empire rider.

The break managed to extend their lead up to around 26 seconds before the peloton became nervous and more active at about 8 laps to go. David Veilleux of KBS did the majority of the chasing to bring the gap back for his sprinter Jake Keogh during the closing laps.

With the gap getting down to about 10 seconds, Borrajo launched and attack on the hill taking Roth and Perez along and dropping their breakaway companions. Soon after the peloton made its final surge to rejoin the break. With only three laps to go Randell took a moments lull in the pace to attack solo. For two laps he kept the pressure on the Colavita team and damaged some of their horsepower for the final sprint.

A bunch sprint was eminent eventually as Colavita led the group into the final lap working on a lead for Haedo. In the right-left chicane turns at 1km to go Colavita led the race with Planet Energy in position. During the stretch into the wind before the final turn, Gilbert blasted past the Colavita leading out with Guillaume Boivin and Keven Lacombe tight on the wheel. Gilbert took the final turn and into the home straight. Boivin led out Lacombe as fast as he could. Lacombe timed his sprint perfectly winning the Chris Thater Memorial over a fast surging Haedo trying to overtake him.

Results

1. Keven Lacombe first
2. Sebastian Haedo
3. Yosvany Falcon

Click here for full results.
Follow the Team: www.cyclesportmanagement.com
Live on Twitter: PlanetEnergy