July 01, 2012 (Windham, New York) – Burry Stander (RSA) Specialized Racing claimed his second WCup victory challenging the field with a strong attack mid-race as brutal heat, flats, and mechanicals plagued the men’s race as well as the drama unfolded.

Early race leader Manuel Fumic (Ger) Cannondale Factory Racing fell victim to a front tire flat giving up the lead and eventually DNF’d while race favourite Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze) Specialized Racing exited the course privately during the first lap and called it a day raising questions as he disappeared but eventually turned up later. José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Esp) Multivan Merida Biking Team lost a pedal and dazzled fans with is one stroke pedaling but could not recover and finished 27th.

Only Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Esp) Wildwolf – Trek Pro Racing and Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita) Cannondale Factory Racing could match Stander but the South African was in a class of his own soloing in for second WCup victory of his career (since 2009) as the heat and tough course took its toll on the field.

Canada’s Max Plaxton (Specialized) and Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Roxracing) both moved up well following the start placing well in the top ten in 7th and 8th respectively.

“I’m getting closer to where I want to be and I am satisfied with today’s result,” Kabush told Pedal post-race. “I stayed within myself on the climbs and really made time up some time on the descents. It is a really fun downhill here at Windham and I could really let my Spark 29 go to work. The time gaps were really tight and hopefully with some time to train in the next month I can sharpen up and compete for the podium in London.”

The big story for US fans was Todd Wells (Specialized) who showed stellar form moving up and threatening to catch the leaders as he claimed 4th in the end with solid day at the office.

Men’s race updates and full results HERE…