After 37 events, Sutherland edged Ben Jacques-Mayne (San Jose, Calif.) of the Priority Health presented by Bissel squad by 29 points, 1,355-1,326. Chris Baldwin (Boulder, Colo./Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team) was third overall with 1,226 points, followed by two more Australians on Team Health Net presented by Maxxis, Karl Menzies (1,149) and Nathan O’Neill (1,008).

Sutherland’s overall title came down to the final race of the season as the closest of the series’ four categories. Entering the U.S. 100K Classic on Labor Day, Sutherland was a mere six points behind then-leader Jacques-Mayne but managed to score 35 points in the Category-3 race by turning in a solid eighth-place effort in the field sprint finish. Just one day after competing in the USA Cycling Professional Championship road race in Greenville, S.C. where he spent nearly half the race in an early breakaway, Jacques-Mayne placed 30th, scoring no points and yielding the title to Sutherland.

Contributing to Sutherland’s overall point total throughout the season was an overall victory at the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Ark. in May, as well as second-place efforts at the Central Valley Classic in Belmont, Calif. in March, the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota in June and the International Tour de ‘Toona last month in Pennsylvania. Sutherland also won two stages each at the Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Joe Martin Stage Race and captured a stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

Sutherland’s individual title was the second for Team Health Net presented by Maxxis after Scott Moninger (Boulder, Colo.) captured the 2005 title.

In addition to Sutherland’s overall win at the Joe Martin Stage Race, Team Health Net presented by Maxxis also picked up several key wins which propelled the squad to its fourth consecutive team NRC title. Menzies kicked off the season in March with a victory in the Merco Credit Union Road Race and captured the overall title at the International Tour de ‘Toona. O'Neill took overall victories at the Tour of the Gila, the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Tour of Elk Grove throughout the summer. In August, Frank Pipp (Boulder, Colo.) won the Presbyterian Healthcare Invitational Criterium.

Team Health Net presented by Maxxis secured 4,432 points throughout the season to best runner up Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team (4,114), Navigators Insurance (2,088), Priority Health presented by Bissel (2,040) and the Jelly Belly Cycling Team (1,232).

There is one final race on the women’s NRC – the Tour of Leelanau in Traverse City, Mich. on Sept. 16. The event will also feature a men’s category, but as a UCI-sanctioned race it will instead be the final race on the inaugural USA Cycling Professional Tour following the Univest Grand Prix in Souderton, Pa. on Sept. 9 and the Tour of Missouri, Sept. 11-16.

With one event remaining, Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, Pa./Cheerwine) has assured herself of the individual title while the Webcor Builders squad has locked up the team category. Van Gilder currently has a 1,524-1,267 lead over second-ranked Mara Abbott (Boulder, Colo.), while Webcor Builders holds a 4,468-3,690 advantage over Cheerwine.

2007 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar
Final Men’s Overall Standings:

Individual Standings
1. Rory Sutherland (AUS) – Team Health Net presented by Maxxis 1,355
2. Ben Jacques-Mayne (San Jose, Calif.) – Priority Health presented by Bissel 1,326
3. Chris Baldwin (Boulder, Colo.) – Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 1,226
4. Karl Menzies (AUS) – Team Health Net presented by Maxxis 1,149
5. Nathan O’Neill (AUS) – Team Health Net presented by Maxxis 1,008

Team Standings
1. Team Health Net presented by Maxxis 4,432
2. Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team 4,114
3. Navigators Insurance 2,088
4. Priority Health presented by Bissell 2,040
5. Jelly Belly Cycling Team 1,232

For complete NRC standings, visit www.usacycling.org/nrc.

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road). For more information, visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.