Zaltas Wins Cycling Event in Camarillo

Eric Zaltas of San Francisco claimed the featured 50-mile cycling event for professionals in the Peter Jensen Memorial Road Race through the streets of Camarillo on Saturday.

The seven-event program is named for the former state cycling champion from Simi Valley who was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1979. Jensen, 21, was considered one of the nation’s top riders. The inaugural memorial race was held in 1984 before the Los Angeles Olympics and attracted a brilliant field of international riders.

Saturday’s program attracted more than 500 professional and amateur racers and a crowd estimated at more than 2,000. Zaltas earned $350 for his 20-lap performance over the 2.5-mile course in the city’s Mission Oaks neighborhood. Race organizers did not keep time.

In other races, Kim Cashon of San Luis Obispo won the featured race for women, Richard Barron of Covina won the masters’ event for men over 35 and Sean Bartilet of Brea won the juniors’ race for riders aged 17 and 18.