The Jelly Belly p/b Kenda riders won the overall team classification.
Jelly Belly presented by Kenda entered this weekend’s Tour of Murrieta in Murrieta, Calif., with three goals: get experience for the new young riders, prepare for upcoming competition and win the race.
Mission accomplished.
Sean Mazich finished first overall, Nic Hamilton was third and Jelly Belly p/b Kenda was first in the team classification.
Team Director Danny Van Haute decided to forego the Tour of Thailand this year and instead give his young riders a chance to taste the professional racing atmosphere. The Tour of Murrieta was an omnium, scored on points instead of time.
Emerson Oronte, Nic Hamilton, Cameron Cogburn, and Alastair Loutit all raced under the leadership of seasoned riders Bernard van Ulden, Sean Mazich and Sergio Hernandez.
“Our plan was to bring the young guys in. We wanted them to get some playing time and show them how we all work together,” Van Haute said.
Van Ulden won the first stage time trial and took hold of the yellow jersey. After the second stage criterium, Hernandez was in yellow. Going into the final stage, a road race, Jelly Belly p/b Kenda had four riders in the top six.
“We had many, many cards to play on the last day,” Van Haute said.
Mazich took third on the stage – more than enough to win the overall.
Coming soon for Jelly Belly p/b Kenda are the San Dimas Stage Race, March 25-27, the NRC-opening Redlands Bicycle Classic, March 30-April 3, and the Tour of Korea, April 15-24.
“This was a really good prep,” Van Haute said. ”Hopefully they learned a lot this weekend.”
