Kobzarenko Scores His First Win For Team Type 1

Somerville, N.J. – It wasn’t enough for Team Type 1’s Valeriy Kobzarenko to simply solo the final 40 miles on his way to winning Saturday’s Frank “Nap” Torpey Memorial Hills of Somerset County Road Race.

After earning his first road race victory in the United States this year, Kobzarenko went out for more.

“I rode 50 kilometers (31 miles) to train after the race,” Kobzarenko said.

Kobzarenko’s victory in the 80-mile (128.7 km) race that benefits the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame led a 1-2-4 finish by Team Type 1. Glen Chadwick, the winner of the Tour of Arkansas last week, soloed in for runner-up while teammate Chris Jones won the field sprint behind Jake Hollenbach (CCB/Volkswagon).

Had race officials not led Jones and another rider off course late in the race, Jones might have actually secured third for a first-ever podium “sweep” by Team Type 1.

“They took us onto the freeway and as soon as we got onto it, we knew it was the wrong way,” Jones said. “By the time we got back on course, a group of about 15 others had caught up to us.”

Fitness gained by Team Type 1 in the past two weeks of racing at the Joe Martin Stage Race and Tour of Arkansas was apparent early on in Saturday’s race. Kobzarenko bridged to a breakaway group of four 12 miles into the race.

“And we never saw him again,” Jones said.

While Kobzarenko was working over his breakaway companions – and eventually left them to ride alone for the final half of the race – Chadwick attacked the field and rode through the remnants of the break to solo in for his fourth podium finish of the season.

Behind, Jones did the same, attacking the field to hopscotch his way up to the front.

“We were tired the first couple of days after Tour of Arkansas but now the fitness is starting to come,” Jones said.

Kobzarenko’s victory is Team Type 1’s 10th of the season and his first podium placing since a runner-up finish on Stage 6 of the Tour de Taiwan.