Portland, OR - Kyle Gritters was sitting in the perfect position to win the Health Net-sponsored Portland Twilight Criterium Friday evening, tucked neatly on the wheel of teammate and current NRC points leader Rory Sutherland in the final lap of the race.

But the perfect mini leadout train got derailed when former teammate Doug Ollerenshaw (Rock Racing) jumped to the front of the pack in a desperate attempt to take the win, only to slide out in the final corner and nearly bring Sutherland and Gritters to a complete stop.

While neither rider went down, it opened the door for another rider, who was fortunate enough to avoid the wreck, to slip past for the win, while Gritters still had the strength to recover and take 2nd on the day.

"Doug really had no chance at the win," noted Roman Kilun. "When he got up there and crashed in front of Rory, it just screwed up the leadout. It was actually surprising that Kyle was still able to get second after that."

Murphy takes Dog Days Road Race

John Murphy continued to rebuild his form with a solid win in the Dog Days Road Race in Canton, GA, just outside Atlanta. Murphy was part of a three-man break that put four minutes on the peloton on the rolling course. He outsprinted his two breakmates for the win.

Menzies back in action at Marion

Karl Menzies saw his first race action since a crash at the Reading Classic during Philly Week in June put him out of commission. Menzies took the start of the two-race Brighthouse Networks Marion Classic in Marion, IN, and while he wasn't expecting to contend for the top step of the podium in any of the races, he rode strong over the weekend, including making the decisive nine-man break in Sunday's hilly circuit race, going on to finish 6th.

While he's still feeling the after-effects of the crash, which broke ribs and a wrist, Menzies is on track to get back to form for the Tour of Missouri, beginning September 8.He heads to Downer's Grove, IL this coming weekend to help teammate Kirk O'Bee defend his USPro Criterium National Champion title.