Newcastle Gateshead, England — While Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes-Ballan) was winning his second stage of the Tour of Britain Friday, Rock Racing’s Fred Rodriguez was wondering what might have been.

The three-time U.S. road race champion could only shake his head after seeing his hopes for a good finish on Stage 6 dashed by a treacherous run-in to the finish at the end of the 97-mile (156 km) race.

Rodriguez crossed the line 18th – but said he was glad to have stayed upright as the peloton sped through the narrow, rain-slickened streets of Newcastle Gateshead.

“It was almost like they put red paint in the cement so when it got wet it was like ice,” Rodriguez said. “That made it very dangerous. Basically, going through any corner we almost stopped. So if you were back more than 10 riders, you had to really accelerate to get going.”

Rodriguez said he lost nearly 15 spots as the 90-strong pack sped down a descent that led into a 90-degree turn in the final mile of the course that ran parallel to the banks of the Tyne River. Staying upright was his biggest priority, he said.

“There were guys taking a lot of chances out there and I’m surprised no one went down,” he said.

The field sprint came about after a long chase reeled in the remnants of a four-man breakaway within three miles (5 km) of the finish.

Saturday’s second-to-last stage will be one of the toughest of the eight-day event. The 95.4-mile (153 km) race from the Scottish region of Glasgow to Drumlanrig Castle will feature three categorized climbs. The ascent to the Mennock Pass will be the highest point the race crosses.

— RRC—

For More Information Contact:
Sean Weide
Elevation Sports & Entertainment | Rock Racing
Phone: (402) 541-2594 | E-mail: pr@rockracing.com (attn: Sean Weide)