March 17, 2008

The Successful Living Pro Cycling Team kicked off its 2008 season this weekend with the Sequoia Cycling Classic 40k TT on Saturday and
90 minute criterium on Sunday. Fantastic teamwork earned a 2nd place finish in the criterium by Cody O'Reilly and a 8th place in the TT by
JR Grabinger.

The team started the week with an intense training camp in Ventura, California where they logged an average of 5-6 hour days in the
saddle. The time trial in Exeter, California was a long out-and-back course that would give a preview of the fitness levels of the competition
in the early season. “I really wanted to get on the podium but I gave it everything and even after a 40-hour ride week I was less than 30-
seconds off my goal so you can’t be disappointed with that,” said JR Grabinger. When the results were posted Saturday afternoon,
Successful Living placed 4 riders in the top 20, which was the most of any team represented.

On Sunday’s criterium, most major domestic pro teams were present and the pace was blazing from the start gun. With constant attacks the
peloton was single-file for most of the race. Successful Living represented in every serious move with Curtis Gunn, Brian Jensen and JR
Grabinger doing the lion’s share of the work.

20-laps to go, new team member Charles Dionne was involved in a nasty crash and unfortunately broke his elbow. The original plan to set
up Dionne for the finish shifted to plan B with the team quickly regrouping and went straight to work for team’s young gun Cody O’Reilly.

The remainder of the race was attack after attack with no move getting more than a few seconds off the front. With 8-laps remaining Kelly
Benefits/Medifast Team was the first to organize their lead-out train. This began the battle of the lead-out trains with few other teams fighting
for the front in the closing laps. Blow-by-blow into the final lap, it was Successful Living and Colavita/Sutter Home side-by-side leaving their
designated sprinters to finish the job. Cody O’Reilly had a great final sprint but was narrowly beaten by Sebastian Haedo of Colavita/Sutter
Home. “The team was amazing!” said O’reilly. “They gave it everything and I could not have done this without them. You are going to be
seeing a lot of our team this year on the front!”

Next on tap is San Dimas Stage Race March 28th-30th.

Streaming coverage of both races can be watched on the web at IBN Sports (http://www.ibnsports.com/cycling.asp) with commentary by
Dave Towle.