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Borrajo rides away with crown at Cox Charities Cycling Classic - Argentine holds off charging field to take victory

PROVIDENCE (June 24) Add the name Alejandro Barrajo to the list of Argentine professional athletes making names for themselves these days on the American sporting scene.

Despite suffering the effects of four crashes in the last fifteen days, the professional cyclist from Argentina made good on his first visit to Providence by sprinting to the finish line just seconds ahead of the rest of the field in the 2007 edition of the Cox Charities Cycling Classic.

American Chris Jones (NERAC Pro Cycling Team) finished second, and Italy’s Davide Frattini (Colavita/Sutter Home) third.

With $15,000 of prize money on the line, the 50-mile race drew an international field that included cyclists from Russia, South America, and Australia.

It was a frenetic race that ended in a wild mass finish.

Starting on Francis Street, the riders wound their way by the State House before plunging down Smith Street onto Canal Street at speeds approaching 50 m.p.h.. From there they streaked past Waterplace Park on their way back to Francis Street and the Start/Finish line.

Barrajo, riding for the Rite Aid Pro Cycling Team, broke away early in the affair with fifteen other riders that included virtually all of the pre-race favorites. As things work in competitive cycling, the sixteen rivals became teammates of convenience, and the group quickly established a sizable lead over the rest of the field.

Indeed, for a time it seemed all but certain that the breakaway group would lap the main field. As the race wore on, however, the break began to falter and the main field began a late charge led by former U.S. Pro champion Mark McCormick, and Westerly’s Amos Brumble.

With eight laps to go in the fifty lap race, and the main field breathing down their backs, Barrajo decided it was time to make his move. He broke away from the lead group, taking only Jones with him.

The two exploded away of the group and quickly built a lead that would prove insurmountable in the end.

As the final laps ticked by, Barrajo pressed the pace each time uphill past the start/finish. Just the same, when he and Jones rounded the final corner and began their final sprint, the main field was only seconds behind, charging like a freight train.

A renown sprinter, Barrajo turned on the speed, and crossed the finish line just ahead of Jones, and Frattini, who had featured prominently throughout the day. The rest of the pack swarmed in moments later.

The victory was the latest in what has been an outstanding first season for Borrajo on the American racing circuit. He was clearly elated by the result—and much relieved.

“It was a fast, dangerous course,” said Barrajo. “I wanted to keep the pace high so that we would stay away from the field and out of trouble at the finish. Everything worked out for me in the end.”

Race Results (PDF)