Toyota-United Brings Home Overall Classification
March 26, 2006 J.J. Haedo Wins Stage 3
The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team had the power, the fuel and the legs today for a great finish at the 22nd Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic. Lauded as the fastest team in the race, TUT showed its strength winning the overall team classification with riders Chris Baldwin, Heath Blackgrove Justin England,
J.J. Haedo, Sterling Magnell, Sean Sullivan and Chris Wherry.
Chris Baldwin who led the breakaway for most of the Sun Sunset Road Race, took second place overall and the King of the Mountain’s red jersey. HealthNet’s Nathan O’Neill took home the yellow jersey. While, fueled by the Toyota-United train, Juan Jose “J.J.” Haedo – the fastest man in America – came away with the Stage 3 win.
“The team rode a fantastic race,” said Team Director Frankie Andreu. “Our goal today was to be aggressive and attack as much as possible. Chris Baldwin rode a great race by driving the front group and allowing us to put pressure on HealthNet. We had a strong team at the end of the race, with five riders in the first group to help lead out J.J. Although J.J. was banged up from yesterday, he really wanted today’s win. It proves what a professional rider he is.”
The team is gaining strength and showing promise for the longer stage races ahead, like the Tour of Georgia according to Team Director Harm Jansen.
Jansen was pleased with the Redlands’ win stating, “It’s always a pleasure to watch our guys ride so aggressively, it shows our overall strength as a team. While we were disappointed by J.J.’s crash yesterday,we don’t look back, we keep moving forward. We bounced back nicely.”
The Toyota-United Team ended the day at the team’s Expo Tent for a special autograph signing for the line of fans who waited patiently for a close-up look at the day’s heroes. The team will race next week at Garrett Lemire in Ojai, CA. on April 2nd.
Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team: http://www.toyota-united.com