Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

PITTSBURGH – June 28, 2008 -- The American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5® neared its end as the international U25 field entered onto the Pittsburgh streets in the race’s penultimate stage five.

The peloton began what was considered an early sprint in pursuit of a break of six riders that cleared the peloton mid-race. The finishing circuits showcased Pittsburgh’s newly built shopping district before an exciting finish outside of the American Eagle Outfitters world headquarters.

The pair of French-Canadians, David Veilleux and Keven LaCombe (Kelley Benefit Strategies-Medifast), shocked the Pittsburgh crowds when they emerged out of the final bend with a sizeable lead over one remaining rider from the original break away, American Phil Gaimon (Fiordifrutta).

“It feels great to have the leaders jersey and this was our plan since our meeting in the morning,” admitted stage winner, Overall Race leader and Best Sprinter leader, David Veilleux. “We planned to have Keven and I jump together and surprise everyone in the last part of the circuits.”

Both Veilleux and LaCombe crossed the victory line together, applauding one another for their cagey tactics that moved Veilleux into the American Eagle Outfitters yellow leaders jersey, two seconds ahead of the previous leader from South Africa, Christoff Van Heerden (Konica Minolta) and American Stefano Barberi (Z-Team).

The 91-mile stage gave the international U-25 field a more subdued ride as they entered into the City of Pittsburgh.  Today’s Stage 5 and Sunday’s final Stage 6 are tied to the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of the city of Pittsburgh in 1758 upon the conclusion of General John Forbes and the young George Washington’s Forbes Trail Expedition.

The route followed a mostly rolling course with one short VisitPA.com KOM around mile 22, made obsolete by the event’s leading climber from Boulder, Colo., Peter Stetina (VMG-Felt) who solidified his lead of the climber’s competition during the previous stage.

The early miles also presented the sprinter with one last intermediate hot spot at mile 37, on the outskirts of Latrobe. American Chance Nobel (California Giant Berry Farms) scooped up the full points during his solo break away that gained nearly two minutes on the field.

A second breakaway of three riders let loose on the second half of the stage to include Australian Forbes Trail Most Aggressive Rider Dylan Newell (Praties), the Belgian Steven Van Vooren (Johan Brunyeel Cycling Academy) and South African Travis Allen (Konica Minolta). The trio was later joined by three more Americans, Sheldon Deeny (Sakonnet Technology), Caleb Fairly (VMG) and third place in today’s stage, Phil Gaimon.

“It was pretty tough out there with really strong head winds,” said Newell. “I thought they would let us hang out there for a while, but I didn’t think it would stay away until the last lap of the finishing circuits.” 

The bike racing excitement will continue on the downtown streets of Pittsburgh tomorrow for the final Stage 6, 50-mile, action-packed criterium that will reveal the overall race winner of the American Eagle Outfitters®  Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®.

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