Swoosh!

Friday night’s first stage of the Human Performance Company’sMsGranPrix provided spectators with an in-person look at thelargest and fastest field assembled for the 8th annual event. NewZealand native Heath Blackgrove outdueled 2 challengers on thefinal laps to capture the Bank of Brookhaven DowntownCriterium.

Blackgrove, who was racing professionally for Toyota last year,put his high-tech bicycle in overdrive for the fast-paced,hour-long race. Riding for Team Hotel San Jose, Blackgrove edgedRay Sullivan and Michael Olheiser for the top prize.

“I had to work hard out there,” Blackgrove, who resides inAustin, Texas, after moving from Colorado. This is his fourth yearin the USA and his first season with Team Hotel San Jose.

“Michael did all the work and I was able to pass him at the end.That plan was to follow every move. It came down to a sprint.”

Asked about the .7-mile course, Blackgrove said, “It was prettytight but it was fast and smooth. I liked the course.”

Blackgrove said his speciality is road racing. He and histeammates faced an 80-mile challenge Saturday morning. Time trialswere held late Saturday afternoon, followed by a criterium circuitrace around the Copiah-Lincoln Community College campus earlySunday morning.

Olheiser, a 2-time national champion, complimented the hostHerring Gas team. “We are happy to be here. Herring Gas does agreat job hosting this event.

Olheiser, riding for TriStar, lives in Huntsville, Ala. He saidthe 75-member field was full of outstanding competitors. “Thecompetition was stronger than I thought it would be.” His specialtyis time trials.

Herring Gas captain Frank Moak was impressed by the field. “Thatwas some kind of fast. That was the biggest talent we’ve seen. Wehad some former world champions here.”

Moak said his Herring Gas team was still in the running foroverall honors. “As a local team, we only lost 30 somethingseconds.”

Herring Gas teammate Kenneth Bellau held a brief lead midwaythrough the race. Blackgrove won the 5-lap prize that saw theriders sprinting for a $40 jackpot.

Sullivan is a member of the Myogenesis team that is sponsored byUnited Health Care.

In the road race, Carlos Vargas of Team San Jose won first placeand teammate Heath Blackgrove captured second place. Matthew Davisof Team LaSport was third.

Herring Gas team member Trey Pounds sustained a serious shoulderinjury in the final sprint, about 500 meters from the finishline.

In the women’s division, Debbie Milne of TriStar Cycling, basedin Brandon, took first place. Teammate Lauren Hall was second,Jennifer Schuble was third. Ashley Leach and Louise Smyth tied forfourth.