Toyota Life Articles
2007 Season Look Behind the Scenes
Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team
PRO NEWS
October 2007
We take you behind the scenes for a look back at some pivotal race moments for the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team during the 2007 season.
Stage 5, Cascade Classic:
Fewer than 10 miles into a 100-plus mile race, Chris Baldwin noticed he could no longer shift gears. Unbeknownst to him, a near collision with another rider had badly damaged his rear derailleur. Baldwin radioed for assistance from the Prius Team Car, which arrived at the back of the peloton in seconds. The decision to switch bikes was made and Baldwin quickly regained his position in the peloton. Meanwhile, Toyota-United Team Mechanic Shane Fedon quickly performed a roadside repair on Baldwin’s Fuji bicycle. Minutes later, Baldwin was back on his regular bike and back in the race, secure in the fact that he would hold on to his second place overall.
Stage 6, Mt. Hood Cycling Classic:
The final stage criterium of this six-day, six stage race seemed tailor-made for the sprinting ability of Toyota-United’s Bobby Lea. Run on a tight, four-tenths-of-a-mile course, the team worked Lea into position near the front as the race wound toward its conclusion. What the rest of the competitors failed to realize was that Toyota-United’s Heath Blackgrove was going to provide a lead-out that would actually win him the race. Blackgrove dove through the final four corners with Lea in tow. But facing an uphill sprint into the wind, Blackgrove realized he would have to be extra fast coming out of the final corner, 150 meters from the line. It was that extra burst of speed that actually created separation from Lea, who realized the acceleration was too much for the riders who were on his wheel. Rather than come around Blackgrove, Lea allowed a gap to open – one big enough for Blackgrove to score the win and a 1-2 finish for the team.
Stage 2, Tour de Georgia:
All eyes were on Toyota-United’s Ivan Dominguez for this fast finishing stage into Rome, Ga. With a wide, downhill finish, it was expected Dominguez would do battle in a bunch sprint. But Dominguez’s Toyota United teammate, Ivan Stevic, also knew the finish suited his ability, with its short climb up Clocktower Hill in the final kilometer. With 25 miles to go, Stevic radioed the Prius Team Car that he felt good to go for the win himself. Should he get caught, he was told, Dominguez would still be in position to go for the sprint himself. With the help of Toyota-United veteran Henk Vogels, a plan was hatched to have teammate Caleb Manion set a ferocious pace leading into the final ascent of Clocktower Hill. With everyone focused on Dominguez, Stevic rocketed out of the field using Manion’s leadout. Four corners and half-a-mile of downhill racing later – Stevic crossed the line with the victory safe in hand.
