Colavita-Sutter Home’s Alejandro Borrajo and Katherine Carroll (Aaron’s) claimed victory at the fifth annual Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium in Charlotte, North Carolina, the eighth event in the 2008 USA CRITS Series.

With the help of teammate Kyle Wamsley, Borrajo beat a small, select group of elite criterium riders that escaped the main field just over an hour into the race. The Argentine sprinter added another win to his already successful season by outracing last year's winner, Frank Pipp (Health Net), and Emile Abraham (Team Type 1).

Alejandro Borrajo (Colavita/Sutter Home) edges out Frank Pipp (HealthNet) on the line for the win

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

Riding under the threat of severe thunderstorms and blustery winds strong enough to overturn race barriers, the men’s 50-mile race saw a decidedly high amount of action from the start. Kelly Benefit Medifast rider Ted King launched a prolonged eight-lap escape early on, while Pipp’s teammate John Murphy also made a serious effort to distance himself from the field. But the pace was too high for a break to establish itself, and strong enough to send a steady stream of riders off the back.

Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing) sees the race developing up the road and makes his move

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

But Borrajo created a bit of chaos once he made his intentions clear. His jump from the pack would not go unanswered, however, and he was soon joined by Mark Hekman (Toshiba-Santo), Dan Ramsey and Tom Soladay (TIME Pro Cycling), Texas Roadhouse’s Adam Bergman, Shawn Milne (Team Type 1), Milne’s teammate Abraham, as well as Pipp and Wamsley.

As the final laps wound down the lead riders built up a 30-second advantage over the pack. With only three turns around the 1.3 mile, barbell-shaped course remaining, Bergman attacked his fellow escapees, but Wamsley shut down his attempt at glory. Wamsley’s own move with a lap and a half to go forced all in the breakaway group to follow him. Borrajo told his teammate that he felt strong and Wamsley watched Borrajo win the final sprint by a bike length and a half over Pipp.

Kat! Kat! Kat!
In the women’s race, all of the featured riders closely watched one another throughout the opening laps. Team Tibco’s Brooke Miller scooped up a $250 prime, but it was Katherine Carroll's bid for a better payday that netted her $500 and the race lead. Carroll stayed in front of the field after claiming her cash prize and with only 10 laps remaining, the Aaron’s rider had established a dangerous 25-second advantage.

Katharine Carroll (Aaron’s Pro Cycling) explodes of the front of a small break solo

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

With the crowd chanting “Kat! Kat! Kat!” it soon became clear that the field behind her had given the 2007 Athens Twilight Criterium Champion too much rope and Carroll comfortably rolled across the line in first place. Behind her Miller took the second spot on the podium, while current U.S. national criterium champion Tina Pic finished third.

With only three events remaining in this year’s series, the contest for control of the leaderboard is heating up. Less than 300 points separate overall leader Yosvany Falcon and his Toshiba-Santo teammate Mark Hekman who holds fifth place. Between them sit Time Pro Cycling’s Adam Myerson in second place, Cuban speedster Frank travieso (Toshiba-Santo) in third, and Loco’s rider Seth Hansley in fourth.

On the women’s side, Cheerwine’s Kelly Benjamin has a 16-point advantage over Vanderkitten Racing’s Jennifer Wilson, and behind them Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capital) behind them in third.

The series will continue August 24 with the Chris Thater Memorial in Binghamton, New York; the San Francisco Twilight Criterium on September 13; and the series final in Las Vegas on September 25.