May 7, 2006 – Friday’s seventh stage proved, as predicted, to be the pivotal day for the GC. Symmetrics entered the stage with the possibility of a podium spot, perhaps more. As team director for the race, Bruce Wenting said, “The stage had a head wind the whole way to the climb. A break of four got clear, then got caught at the bottom of the climb, due in part to some strong tempo riding by the Mexican Tecos team.” Once the pack hit the impressive, steep climb, the pure climbers took over and blew the field apart.

It was a massively steep climb that saw the field shattered. Symmetrics Eric Wohlberg was the top rider for the team in 13th, followed by Jacob Erker, who came in a few minutes back. Jake was still hurting from his crash the other day, but fought on. The rest of the squad came in together trying to save themselves to defend the points jersey on the final day. As the winners came in it was almost dark, and by the time the last riders crossed the line it was completely dark.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the team, relinquishing a chance at a podium overall, but all the riders fought hard. Andrew Randell still had the green points jersey entering the final stage – stage eight – and was intent on keeping it. Christian Meier attacked on the first of 20 laps, hoping to take all the points away from others that could overtake Randell. The plan worked as Meier stayed out with another rider for 19 of 20 laps!

In the final sprint, Andrew “Pinner” Pinfold took third, Randell fifth, and Erker ninth.

Kevin Cunningham, team co-owner was immensely pleased with the team’s showing at the Vuelta a El Salvador. “All in all this was a tremendous success. We accumulated 62 UCI points. We won four stages, scoring two seconds and two thirds, and defended the yellow jersey for four stages, swept the podium and took all the jerseys on the opening day. In the end Andrew Randell and the team brought home the points jersey and the jersey for the most consistent rider on the finish line,” Cunningham commented. “After the first day we had every jersey possible except for the top El Salavadorian! The quality of the field was very high with the Tecos team, and all the Columbians that were there – and their climbing prowess really showed on Friday.”

The Symmetrics Cycling team returns to Canada and the USA today.