The Navigators mechanic trying to milk another week out of a bicycle
chain.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, August 7, 2004
Bank of America Invitational Criterium
The first, and hopefully annual, Bank of America Invitational
Criterium was
held earlier this evening in Charlotte, North Carolina. This 88-Km
(shortened from 100-Km) race featured $125,000 in prizes, making it
one of
the richest 1-day races in the world, as well as being a charity event
for
the Brain Tumor Fund of the Carolinas.
With $500 and $1,000 premes on hand for many of the 44-laps on the
2-km
course, it was nearly a free-for-all for any rider trying to earn some
cash
for a day's work. With all of the U.S. squads in attendance, as well
as
teams from Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain, the racing was fast,
and at
times even faster. The live TV coverage and crowd estimated by local
authorities at 35,000-40,000 made this first-time event extremely
exciting
and a huge success.
Local hero Chris Harkey (Bianchi) made a move about half-way through
that
lasted for 5-laps and got the crowds roaring for more action from the
peloton. The Navigators Insurance squad launched Mark Walters and
Viktor
Rapinski with 10-laps remaining that looked to be a serious threat for
the
victory. The team of HealthNet had other ideas and soon mounted an
all-out
chase that took them 5-laps to bring back the 2 Navigators Insurance
leaders. The speed of the race continued to increase and with a field
sprint developing, all of the sprint trains began to battle for
control of
the peloton. On the final lap it was Gord Fraser (HealthNet)
sprinting
from 400-meters out that got the action going. Navigators' Vassili
Davidenko started to come around, but was hampered by a slipping
gear. With thunderous applause from the crowd, it was Colavita's Ivan
Dominguez taking the sprint win in front of Fraser with Navigators'
Henk
Vogels coming home in 3rd. Vassili recovered and held on for 4th.
The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international insurance holding
company with insurance
company operations, underwriting management companies and operations
at Lloyd's of
London. Navigators primarily underwrites marine insurance and related
lines of business,
contractor's general liability, and professional liability insurance.
Headquartered in New York
City, Navigators has offices in major insurance centers in the United
States and the United
Kingdom. Navigators, one of the largest marine insurers in the world,
is committed to the
principles of underwriting excellence and to providing quality service
to its clients. Navigators is
rated 'A' (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company and 'A' (Strong) by
Standard & Poors. The
Navigators Group, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol NAVG.
Look for the Navigators Insurance Cycling Team in these upcoming
events:
www.navpro.com/schedule/
Additional Navigators Insurance Cycling Team Sponsors include:
COLNAGO Bicycles - www.trialtir-usa.com/2004-colnago/colnago.htm
LIMAR Helmets - www.trialtir-usa.com/2004-limar/limar.htm
BIEMME Cycling Wear - www.trialtir-usa.com/2004-biemme/biemme.htm
STELLA AZZURRA Handle Bars, Stems and bar tape -
www.stellaazzurra.com/
TRIALTIR imports - www.trialtir-usa.com/
SPEEDPLAY Pedals - www.speedplay.com/
FI'ZI:K Saddles - www.fizik.it/
CAMPAGNOLO Groups & Wheels - www.campagnolo.com/home.php
PROFILE Aero bars - www.profile-design.com/
RUDY PROJECT Eyewear - www.rudyprojectusa.com/
DeFEET Socks - www.defeet.com/
DeFEET Undergarments - www.defeet.com/
EXTRAN Energy Drinks - www.extranusa.com/homesbpu.asp
FIRST ENDURANCE Endurance supplements - www.firstendurance.com/
POWERBAR - Energy Bars - www.powerbar.com
CAT EYE Computers & Heart-Rate Monitors - www.cateye.com/
THULE Car Rack Systems - www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp
THOMSON Seatposts - www.lhthomson.com/
VITTORIA Tires - www.vnausa.com/vittoria.html
KOOL-STOP Brake Pads - www.koolstop.com/brakes/brakes.html
SCI-CON Bicycle & Wheel Bags - www.scicon.it/en/
PEDROS Lubricants/Cleaners/Polishes - www.pedros.com/
ELITE Bottle Cages - www.elite-it.com/
ULTIMATE Bicycle Service Stands - www.ussbike.com/
CYCLE-OPS Fluid Trainers - www.graberproducts.com/
DEUTER Back Packs - www.deuterusa.com/
SKS - Pumps and Accessories - www.sks-germany.com
HIGH GEAR CYCLERY - www.highgearcyclery.com/site/intro.cfm
TELLURIAN www Design, Maintenance & Hosting - www.tellurian.com/
Additional team information:
www.navpro.com
Additional Navigators Insurance information:
www.navigators-insurance.com
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