May 21, 2007 - France - Team Slipstream/Chipotle’s Will Frischkorn used consistent finishes every stage at last weekend’s Tour de Picardie to end with a fine 10th place overall result.

In Friday’s opening stage, two of the sprinters’ teams took control of an aggressive race and launched a final split of about 20 riders. Frischkorn made this selection and finished in 19th place.

After taking a 1-2 finish in Stage 1, the Barloworld team took control of the race during Stage 2 on Saturday, and Stage 3 on Sunday morning. Barloworld managed the peloton to ensure a field sprint each day and protect their race leader, Robbie Hunter. Team Slipstream/Chipotle kept Frischkorn out of harm’s way each day and in good position for the finishes.

Sunday afternoon’s Stage 4 was difficult, according to Frischkorn, “as the stage finished with a short VERY steep hill that topped out at 3k to go and then a screaming fast technical descent to the finish. The field raced into the base and then blew to bits. A group of 20 formed over the top with Tombak, the stage winner, just meters ahead and then a drag race down the hill to the line.” Frischkorn made the final selection on the climb and was able to move into the top-10 overall thanks to his heads-up racing.

After the race, Frischkorn reflected on his performance: “I made the split the first stage but was a bit too conservative at the finish on the same circuit where I broke my hand last year. The next few stages were all about making splits and picking off riders one by one. Sitting in 12th after the morning stage on Sunday, I just snuck into 10th in the finale.”

The team would like to send get well soon wishes to Steven Cozza, who was involved in a serious crash which was, according to Frischkorn, “was a pretty scary experience.” Cozza’s crash happened when he “was following a move just off the front of the field and looked over his shoulder just as a rider crossed over his front wheel. Straight to the ground at 60kph landing on his face. No slide/roll/bounce, just smack down. Really, really scary. He woke up in the ambulance with no memory of what happened and despite looking like he just got out of the ring with a hungry Mike Tyson he’s looking forward to getting back asap. One tough guy.”

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Steven, and we’ll see you at Philly week!