GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 29, 2009) – David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) won his fourth consecutive is Stars and Stripes jersey as the national champion in the professional time trial discipline.  The Salt Lake City, Utah resident beat his 2008 winning time by over one minute, covering the 20.7-mile course in 39 minutes, 37 seconds.  Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling) of Boulder, Colo., finished second in 40:21, copying his 2008 podium position. Third place was secured by Downington, Penn. resident Scott Zwinsanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) in 41:18.

The "Three Z’s" - Zabriskie, Zirbel and Zwizanski
Photo by Casey Gibson

"I really get up for this race every year. It’s something I take a lot of pride in. It doesn’t get old for me. I like the course. Greenville is a nice city," said the 30-year-old Zabriskie, who has never lost in Greenville. The U.S. Professional Individual Time Trial Championship, presented by Duke Energy, was held for the first time in 2006, when the U.S. Pro Road Race Championship moved from Philadelphia to Greenville and established the dual championship for pro cyclists.

A total of 23 professional cyclists started in two-minute intervals at 11:30 a.m. under clear blue skies and warm temperatures in Greenville.  Using the same course as 2008, at Clemson University - International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), race organizers estimated larger crowds this year, evident to riders all along the final kilometer.

"I didn’t expect to lose by 45 seconds. Wow, he (Zabriskie) had a good ride," said Zirbel, who was aiming to improve on his second-place finish from 2008. He finished second earlier this year at the nature Valley Grand Prix and leads the individual points competition for USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar. "I’m a rhythm rider, and it’s tough to get in a rhythm here. I’d like longer straightaways. It’s not as technical as it looks on paper; it’s a fair course."

Zwinzanski is having a good year, winning the overall title at Tour de Beauce and Vuelta Ciclista del Uruguay. "It was my strength as an amateur (time trials). It kind of disappeared:I didn’t really focus on it at all when I turned pro in 2004. Last year it just started kind of clicking again. The TT’s are all about suffering pretty much," said the 32-year-old Bissell rider at the post-race press conference.

CU-ICAR also hosted a morning time trial for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America. Thirty-six competitors rode two laps for the final time trial of the series this year.  Florida’s Chris Peterson had the best overall time of 37:19, also winning the men’s kneeling category. The men’s handcycling "C" category was won by Krige Schabort; men’s "B" category was won by Matt Updike; men’s "A" cateory was won by James Watson; the women’s "C" category was won by Carly Waugh.

The "Three Z’s", Zabriskie, Zirbel and Zwizanski, will be face off against over 85 other professionals in tomorrow’s USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship. They will be joined by top riders such as two-time national road champion George Hincapie (Team Columbia-HTC) and three-time national road champion Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing).  The 110-mile course will include three short downtown circuits, four long laps over Paris Mountain, and then three finishing downtown circuits. The race begins at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Greenville and is expected to finish close to 5:00 p.m.  Once the pro cyclists depart downtown on the first large lap, a 30-minute criterium will commence for U.S. Handcycling athletes, also with start/finish at S. Main and Camperdown streets.

From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. spectators can enjoy a free Health & Wellness Expo, located along South Main Street.  Greenville Hospital System, the title sponsor for the championships, will provide a hand cycling demonstration and activities with Safe Kids. Other event sponsors in the expo include Hincapie Sportswear (merchandise trailor), AVF Creations (photo booth), Soby’s (special Sunday Block Party), Café-ine (coffee drinks for purchase) and Novartis (complimentary blood pressure readings and fire truck display). The Duke Energy Kid’s Races will be held close to 2:30 p.m. (registration ends at 1:00 p.m. in the Expo).

Maps of the full course and circuit, schedule of events and start lists will be posted at the official website for the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships (www.usacyclingchampionships.com).