June 1, 2004 – Max Van Heeswijk of Belgium, part of the U.S. Postal Service
Team that helped Lance Armstrong win the 2001 Tour de France, outperformed
an international field of over 180 pro cyclists in the 91-mile Wachovia
Cycling Series – Lancaster Tuesday before more than 15,000 spectators. Van
Heeswijk won with a fast time of 3:17:27, nine seconds ahead of second place
finisher Francisco Ventoso of Prodir Saunier Duval from Spain.

The 31 year-old Belgian finished 16th in Lancaster in 2002 and took fifth
place in the Wachovia USPRO Championship in 2003. His victory came in the
first event of the Wachovia Cycling Series, which continues Thursday (June
3) with the Wachovia Cycling Series – Trenton and culminates Sunday (June 6)
with the 20th annual Wachovia USPRO Championship in Philadelphia.

“The circuit is good for me,” said van Heeswijk. “We were flying in the
first half of the season and this is a real good start to the week for me.”

The race through the streets of downtown Lancaster started in a
thunderstorm, but was contested primarily in sunshine as 19 of the world’s
finest pro cycling teams engaged in a three hour-plus battle over 13,
seven-mile laps. Multiple two- and three-rider breakaways were reeled back
in by the peleton throughout the competition until Bobby Julich, one of
America’s top international cyclists took charge in the seventh lap.

Others at the front of the peleton through the course of the race included
Olympic hopeful Chris Horner of Webcor and two-time Wachovia USPRO Champion
Fred Rodriguez of Aqua y Sapone, who ended up finishing third with a time of
3:17:36.

With the victory in this first event, Van Heeswijk takes the lead in the
2004 Pro Cycling Tour Point Standings. The Pro Cycling Tour links the
nation’s biggest professional road cycling races featuring world-class
athletes.