Pinfold takes 3rd in Crits Week finale

Sandy Springs, GA - Andrew Pinfold sprinted to 3rd place in the Sandy Springs Criterium Sunday. Pinfold was part of a seven-rider break that rolled off the front early on in the race.

“I think there were a lot of guys who were tired today,” Pinfold said. “When we rolled off, most of the main teams were represented and everyone was happy with the make-up of the group, so the pack let us go.”

By mid-race, the gap had come down to just a few seconds. “Honestly, I wasn’t feeling as good as last night,” Pinfold said, “so if it came back, that was OK. When the gap came down to a few seconds, I think a couple of the other guys panicked a little bit and picked it up and the gap when out again.”

In the sprint, Kyle Wamsley (Colavita/Sutter Home) came out of the final corner first and took it to the line for the win, followed by Ken Hansen (Team Type 1) in 2nd.

After seven races in nine days, “I think we’re all a bit tired,” Pinfold said. “It’s not just the racing. There was a lot of driving, and the late race times kind of mess with your routine. It’s like a hockey schedule. You play at eight and you’re not getting to bed until 2 a.m. But it was a really good week. By the second part of it, Karl, John (Murphy), Bobby (Lea) and I really started working well as a unit. I think we’ll be able to put this work to good use at Joe Martin.”

The Joe Martin Stage Race begins this Thursday.