Zabriskie takes US time trial title

Baldwin launches defense,
originally uploaded by Frank Steele.

Team CSC's Dave Zabriskie profited from a late slip by defending US TT champ Chris Baldwin to take the US professional time trial title.

The race, in Greenville, SC, was missing George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer, both on hand but sitting out the TT, and Floyd Landis, awaiting the results of his doping case.

Baldwin was reportedly leading by 8-11 seconds going into the last turn of the course, but missed the turn and rode into a ditch. By the time he got on his replacement bike and covered the last 400 meters up to the line, he had lost the better part of a minute, finishing 32 seconds behind Zabriskie.

Zabriskie won the open title in 2004, when elite amateurs and pros raced head-to-head.

Zabriskie told VeloNews:

"I'm not one to make excuses, but I kind of wanted to throw up a lot when I was warming up," Zabriskie said. "Something weird happened to the head. I think I was nervous for the first time in my life today. Everyone was saying ‘Zabriskie is going to win' all week, and I think it got to me a little bit."

Zabriskie was clearly nervous before the start, circling like a shark near the start house and riding quick hill sprints to prepare for the race.

Discovery Channel's Jason McCartney was 3rd on the day.

Zabriskie plans to compete in the world TT championship in Salzburg in 3 weeks.

Zabriskie at 3k to ride,
originally uploaded by Frank Steele.

I made the start and the finish line, but caught pretty much just the last few starters and finishers, but that included Zabriskie, Baldwin, McCartney and 9 of the top 15 finishers. My 2006 USA Cycling Pro TT championship photoset at Flickr has all the best shots, and bonus shots of George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer, who rode up soon after the race finished. Also of Mrs. Hincapie, who was serving as presenter at the awards ceremony.

Also racing today was the “Race to Replace” winner, A.J. Smith, riding in Discovery Channel colors. His time, 47:42, was better than 5 of the competitors.

Also:

CyclingNews.com | USA Cycling Pro Time Trial Championships Results | photo gallery

VeloNews | Zabriskie wins USPRO time trial as Baldwin crashes