April 19, 2008

After starting the season three weeks ago a little short handed missing top riders Charles Dionne out with a broken elbow and sprint ace
Ricardo Escuela dealing with visa issues, the team was determined to prove its depth and accomplish goals set during their training camps.

The 18th Annual Sea Otter Classic held this past weekend at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California provided the final race for the
NRC early season west coast campaign. The four-day “Celebration of Sport” is considered the world’s largest cycling festival, hosting
nearly 10,000 professional and amateur athletes and 50,000 fans.

With a 4th place finish last weekend at the second stop on the NRC in Ojai, California, Team Successful Living was anxious to show they
have what it takes to win at the top level. The 31 lap race with over 10,000 feet of vertical climbing always proves to be a challenging race
and this years edition was no different with cool conditions and gusty 30 mph winds being added into the mix.

From lap one the Successful Living team went right to work sending out strongman Brad White into an early move with Johnny Sundt (Kelly
Benefits/Medifast). White dropped his first breakaway companion after a few laps but was quickly joined by a few others. This seemed to be
the pattern for the first ten laps until the first major selection was made. Impressively, the decisive move contained three riders from
Successful Living: Brad White, Brian Jensen, Micheal “JR” Grabinger and David Clinger from Rock Racing.

After a quick evaluation of the advantageous situation the riders quickly put their heads down and went to work each taking even pulls in
the relentless headwind. Back in the field, riders were dealing with flurries of attacks by teams frustrated at the missed opportunity and the
peloton was continually strung out battling for position in the crosswinds.

As the race progressed only one major chase was established containing the rest of the heavy hitters from Colavita/Sutter Home and Health
Net. The effort continued but frustration set in as the gap to the leaders never dropped more than 30 seconds. With ten laps remaining the
chase group was re-absorbed and the Successful Living break had lapped most of the shattered field. Already having locked-up the King of
the Mountains and Sprint Competitions earlier in the race, Brad White selflessly took the role to lead out his two teammates. In a carefully
orchestrated sprint Grabinger took the win with Jensen earning second followed by David Clinger (Rock Racing) and White in 4th.
Alessandro Bazzana sprinted to a 10th place finish in the field.

“The guys have been working really hard over the past few months and it was only a matter of time before they were able to pull off a great
result, ” said Team Director Steve Hegg.

“This result really confirms what the management worked hard this off-season to do: improve the depth of the team to be capable of winning
many different ways,” commented Ryan Yee.

Next on tap for the team will be the epic five day stage race Tour of the Gila in Silver City, NM and the US Air Force Cycling Classic, a UCI
race in Arlington, VA.

1 Micheal “JR” Grabinger (Team Successful Living)
2 Brian Jensen (Team Successful Living)
3 David Clinger (Rock Racing)
4 Brad White (Team Successful Living)
5 John Murphy (Health Net p/b Maxxis)
6 Anibal Borrajo (Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home)
7 Evan Oliphant (Plowman Craven)
8 Alejandro Borrajo (Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home)
9 Sid Taberly (Hobart Wheels)
10 Alessandro Bazzana (Team Successful Living)

Photo Credit: Lyne Lamoureux (www.lynelamoureux.com)