May 4, 2006 – A very hot stage yesterday saw some tough racing, with
Symmetrics taking second on the stage. With the thermometer reading 42 C
at the 1pm stage start, the team looked to protect Andrew Randell’s
second overall; Randell is only 11 seconds behind. Covering a move,
Andrew “Pinner” Pinfold got away with six other riders and put four
minutes in front of the field. The team, like the rest of the racers,
felt the effects of the heat. Pinner was extremely dehydrated by the
finish – by the then the break was only two minutes in front due to some
chasing by the Tecos team. Pinner was so dehydrated he couldn’t even use
his powerful sprint to take the stage: It was all he could do to cross
the line, albeit in second. After the race, Pinner had to be helped onto
the podium and was hydrated all through the night by doctors to help him
recover from heatstroke. Today, Pinner is feeling much better and has
recovered from his incredible effort. Several other riders were sick
from the heat and unfortunately the temperature will be the same today.

Jake Erker had some bad luck, hitting a pothole and crashing with
teammate Svein Tuft. Tuft is fine but Erker had some cuts and bruises –
hopefully he is good to go for today. He was listed as DNF on the
results because he rode a spare bike without a timing chip, but that
should be corrected by today.

Today’s stage is 200km along the shoreline, and is flat. There is a
possibility of crosswinds, however, so the team will have be attentive
and ride near the front. Tomorrow’s very tough mountain stage looms with
Randell in second, and Erker and Eric Wohlberg sitting seventh and
eighth.

Stage 5:

1. Ben Rabe Hino Donde Jose (USA ), 4:45:35
2. Andrew Pinfold Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can)
3. Marlon Castillo Cafe Quetzal (Blz)
4. Alexis Rojas Colombian National Team (Col), all s.t.
5. Fausto Esparza Tecos De La Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara
(Mex),0:01
6. Ismael Sanchez Bicicletas Corsario Cuscatlan Cogeas (Dom), 0:02
7. Juan Rojas Villegas Bicicletas Corsario (CRc), 0:25
8. Paulo Vargas Cafe Quetzal (CRc), s.t.
9. Francisco Colorado Colombian National Team (Col), 0:32
10. Guillermo Miranda Panama National Team (Pan), 4:46:08
—-
11. Andrew Randell Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can), both s.t.
49. Svein Tuft Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can), 0:40
59. Eric Wohlberg Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can)
60. Christian Meier Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can), both s.t.
79. Jeff Sherstobitoff Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can), 0:45
83. Lance Doherty Champion System (Can), 0:46
86. Will Routley Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can), s.t.
In group: Jacob Erker Symmetrics Cycling Team (Can)