staff | Posted: Friday, February 20, 2009 12:00 am
Local riders led the way in the Tour of California?s BRace of TruthC for amateur cyclists this morning in Solvang as four Santa Barbara County men finished in the top five spots.
In a time that will likely beat that of some pro riders on the same course, Gary Douville of Santa Barbara finished the 15-mile course through the Santa Ynez Valley in 33 minutes, 47 seconds.
He was followed by Brian Cook of Santa Barbara (34:47), Brent Kay of Temecula (36:14), Matt Benko of Santa Barbara (36:29) and Jeff Nichols of Los Olivos (36:42).
The field of 28 amateur riders included 14 locals - 10 from the Santa Ynez Valley and four from Santa Barbara. Each donated ,1,000 for Solvang?s Local Organizing Committee, which raises money to defray local expenses for hosting the Stage 6 time trial of the eight-stage race, which began Saturday in Sacramento and will finish Sunday in Escondido.