Attacks, crashes and lucky number 7th in Tobago

In a very active race, Nils Penton of 1% finishs a strong 7 in the very first stage of the 2011 Tobago Cycling Classic.

The Tobago Cycling Classic was held in a completely new points race format this year. With points being awared to top 20 riders on each stage, the racing was different.

The first stage was a 120km road race on Shirvan road. Team 1% was composed of canadians Étienne Samson, Louis-Charles Lacroix, Mathieu Roy and Jean-Michel Lachance of Québec, Chris Gruber from Ontario along with American Rob Scheffler, Sweden Nils Penton and Belgium Nick Daems.

Quickly in the stage, the team was very aggressive jumping in every moves. After 2 laps, a group went with Nils and Nick in it. All was indicating it was the move of the day, but the Austrian team did nbot have any riders and bring it back. Immediately after, another move went with Jean-Michel, Chris and Nils who was still pushing the pace up front.

Things look very good for team 1% with 3 riders in the break. Unfortunately, Chris crashed hard and broke his collarbone. Meanwhile, the heat and heavy sun was hard on cyclists, and in the end Nils finishs 7th with teammate Jean-Michel in 14th.

Photos: Stage 1 - Tobago Classic
Credits @ Charles Brassard