Lancaster, PA - Frank Pipp of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis took the sprint for 3rd place out of the remnants of the decisive break at the Lancaster Invitational, the first leg of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown.

Pipp was part of what grew to be a nine-man break that rolled off the front of the peloton with three trips around the 11.5 km circuit remaining in the rain-soaked event. With a number of the major teams represented in the break, including T-Mobile and Navigators, the group steadily extended its lead as the impetus to chase left the peloton.

The final time up the climb in Central Park, Bernhard Eisel (T-Mobile) attacked and opened up a gap off the front with about 5 km to go.

"I could see coming into the park that was sitting in and I knew he was going to attack," Pipp said. "I was going to have a go at it as well. But when Eisel went, he was just too strong."

Sergey Lagutin (Navigators) eventually bridged to the Austrian. By the time the duo reached the final 500 meters, they had opened a gap of 15 seconds. The two riders drag-raced to the line, with Eisel taking out the sprint for the win.

With 2 km remaining, Pipp realized he didn't quite have the gas to bridge. "I thought that if I wasn't going to make it up there, I better at least take third," Pipp said. At that point, he started to follow wheels and try to keep his nose out of the wind as much as possible.

"There were a lot of attacks in the break coming toward the finish, and there were a lot of quick guys up there. (Alejandro) Borrajo (Rite Aid) is quick, and David Vittorio (BMC) as well," he said. "I didn't want to leave anything to chance in the finish."

The final 500 meters is somewhat technical, with a turn 300 meters out, and a slightly downhill run to the line. Pipp hit it with about 200 meters to go before the turn and got a gap. "I think there was a bit of the guys looking at one another to see who was going to chase," he said. "Whoever tried to chase me down pretty much knew they were going to be pulling someone else to the line with them. So I think I benefited from a bit of hesitation on the other guys' part."

Pipp came through the turn clean in the wet conditions and clear of his five remaining break-mates to earn the final step on the podium.

"Frank had a really good ride today," commented Health Net Presented by Maxxis directeur sportif Jeff Corbett. "He rode the last lap smart. There were a lot of fast, talented guys up there and he played his cards well."

Notes

Shawn Milne of Health Net Presented by Maxxis finished 5th in Saturday's tough Triple Crown tune-up, the CSC Invitational. Rahsaan Bahati took his biggest win since the 2000 USPRO Criterium Championship for new team Rock & Republic racing.