Triple Crankset » Cascade Cycling Classic

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Tayler Wiles Fifth in Downtown Criterium – 2011 BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 4

Lenny B — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:25:54 +0000

McGrath and Armstrong maintain third and fourth in the overall

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - The fourth stage of the BMC Cascade Cycling Classic was an evening downtown criterium, 50 minutes in length. With the General Classification (GC) unchanged after yesterday and time bonuses on the line for the top three finishers, everyone was looking for a top placing – sprinters and GC riders alike.

The pace of race was quick from the start with Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Alison Starnes pushing the pace at the front. The Peanut Butter & Co. Team fronted many attacks, responding in kind, until finally a group of four splintered away from the peloton. The break included were Tayler Wiles from Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, Anne Samplonious (NOW and Novartis For MS), Pascale Schneider (Vanderkitten) and Meredith Miller (TIBCO/To The Top).

The break began to work, putting time into the peloton quickly. After two laps when the gap was about 20 seconds, Lauren Hall and Kristin Lassasso bridged across bringing the group to six. With nearly all the teams content with the break, the gap began to open. However, TIBCO was not happy with the make-up of it and quickly began a serious chase to bring it back.

A little too late, and as the laps ticked away, it was clear that the winner would come from the break. With two laps to go, Samplonious attacked and attempted a solo win only to be caught a few meters from the line by race winner Hall. Second was Miller, third Samplonious then Schneider and fifth was Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Wiles.

Once again, GC remained unchanged. Tomorrow’s final stage, a 67 mile very difficult circuit race, will leave only the strongest women standing. With a lot of cumulative fatigue in the legs, it will be a battle of wills as much as legs. Look for second place Erinne Willock and Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 teammates Kristin McGrath and Kristin Armstrong to all try to wrest the Yellow Jersey off the shoulders of Canadian Clara Hughes. With only seconds separating the top five spots, it is a guarantee that the race will be a hard fought battle until the finish. Stay tuned for the final action packed stage from Bend, OR, kicking off tomorrow at 1 pm.

Results - Stage 4
1. Lauren Hall (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
2. Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
3. Anne Samplonius (NOW and Novartis For MS)

General Classification After Stage 4
1. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
2. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:00:13
3. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:19
4. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:20
5. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:00:28
6. Rushlee Buchanan (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) - 0:01:07
7. Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) - 0:01:14
8. Alison Shanks (BikeNZ) - 0:01:29
9. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS) - 0:01:34
10. Carmen Small (Team TIBCO/To the Top)

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 maintains GC Placings Under Severe Attacks – 2011 BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 3

Lenny B — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 02:21:20 +0000

McGrath takes a fifth place in the stage

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - The gorgeous 71 mile Cascade Lakes Road Race was the third stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic. Another mountain top finish with plenty of climbing prior tested the now fatigued legs of the riders. In the end it was once again remnants of another break staying clear to the finish, with McGrath chasing up the mountainside to catch nearly all the breakaway riders and finishing in fifth.

Despite all the climbing on the docket for the day, the peloton was feisty from the gun with Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 Alison Starnes and Colavita/Forno d'Asolo’s Andrea Dvorak taking turns attacking the field. Team TIBCO/To the Top was not going to let anything away, until finally a break of 11 formed with three TIBCO riders, three Colavita/Forno d'Asolo riders, a Now/Novartis rider and Starnes representing Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12.

With all teams represented, Colavita and TIBCO drove the break, quickly upping the time on the peloton. Noticeably absent from the break was the Yellow Jersey of Clara Hughes and second place Erinne Willock. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 was understandably unhappy with the makeup of the break and immediately began their rotation at the front. As the kilometers ticked away, the time came down, but not quite fast enough for the distance left.

Starnes was called upon to drop out of the break and return to the peloton to assist her teammates in chasing. With a massive turn at the front,. With the break now disintegrating at the front, and only four remaining, McGrath attacked on the steepest section, quickly putting time between herself and what was left of a very elite group, including Hughes and Willock.

From there, McGrath powered her way to the finish, closing the gap and taking back time.

Today holds an evening criterium for the women. This is the first time the sprinters will have a chance at a stage win. However, with precious time bonuses on the line at the finish, the GC contenders may not be willing to let the Sprinters have their day. Stay tuned for two more exciting days from Bend, OR.

Results - Stage 3
1. Rushlee Buchanan (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
2. Alison Shanks (BikeNZ)
3. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top)

General Classification After Stage 3
1. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
2. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:00:13
3. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:19
4. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:20
5. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:00:28
6. Rushlee Buchanan (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) - 0:01:07
7. Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) - 0:01:14
8. Alison Shanks (BikeNZ) - 0:01:29
9. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS) - 0:01:34
10. Carmen Small (Team TIBCO/To the Top)

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 Continues Their Success – 2011 BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 2

Lenny B — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:19:08 +0000

Armstrong only seconds away from the Yellow Jersey

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - The third day of racing, and second stage, at the BMC Cascade Cycling Classic was a race of truth. The time trial was 14 miles out and back, climbing most of the way out to the turnaround. Not only were the 110 riders battling the incline, but combined with the cross winds, the race was a true test of strength and fortitude.

With the overall classification so tight, it was clear that the winner of the day would also take home the Yellow Jersey. After her impressive win yesterday, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Kristin McGrath was in the start house dressed in the leader’s yellow skinsuit, last off in the order of go.

The fast times did not start coming in until late in the order as many of the riders wanted to conserve for the three very taxing days still to come. But it was clear when the last ten riders came into view that they were all going for the win. As the wind continued to pick up, the competitive times continued to roll in.

Pascale Schneider (Vanderkitten), Anne Samplonius (Now/Novartis) and Tara Whitten (TIBCO/To the Top) were all expected to be competitive and did not disappoint. TIBCO teammates Erinne Willock and Carmen Small had excellent rides placing them in third and fourth respectively. But the TIBCO tandem could not match the ladies of speed, Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) and Clara Hughes(Cycling BC). In the end it was the duo of Olympic Gold Medalists taking the top two spots of the podium.

As the two riders charged into the final kilometer it was clear it would be close. In the end it was Hughes with the win, and just enough time to move into Yellow. However, Armstrong’s second place ride puts her mere seconds out of yellow. McGrath’s strong performance garnered her tenth and keeps her still very much in contention for the overall, especially with two more mountainous stages remaining.

Tomorrow the competitors climb up to Mt. Bachelor. With 71 miles and a whole lot of up, riders like Armstrong, McGrath, Willock and Small all will surely test Hughes’ mettle. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, TIBCO and Colavita/Forno d'Asolo all have plenty of cards to play in tomorrow’s stage and it is sure to be a battle from the beginning. Stay tuned for more exciting action here in Bend.

Results - Stage 2
1. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
2. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
3. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top)

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
2. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:00:13
3. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:20
4. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12) - 0:00:43
5. Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) - 0:01:14
6. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:01:31
7. Carmen Small (Team TIBCO/To the Top) - 0:01:34
8. Anne Samplonius (NOW and Novartis For MS) - 0:02:00
9. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS) - 0:02:14
10. Pascale Schneinder (VanderKitten Focus) - 0:02:21

Peanut Butter & Co. Captures Stage Win and Yellow, 2011 BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 1

Lenny B — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:22:05 +0000

Excellent teamwork put Kristin McGrath on the top of the podium

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - Today’s first stage of the six day Cascade Cycling Classic featured 74 miles of beautiful but grueling terrain. With mere seconds separating the majority of the field, the racing was animated from the beginning. However, with a start as fast as this one, not many people were able to establish a gap.

It wasn’t until the road began to go up that finally a sizable group splintered off the front. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 had four of the 15 riders. However, as the road pitched up, the 22 miles of climbing took its toll and a group of 10 evolved. Kristin McGrath, Alison Starnes, and Alisha Welsh all represented Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12. Also present was Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo), TIBCO/To The Top teammates Carmen Small & Joelle Numainville, Kristin Lassaso (Primal Map my Ride), teammates Anne Sampolonius and Jade Wilcoxson (Now/Novartis) and Kathryn Donavon (SC Velo).

Throughout the race, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 rode smartly, arriving at the bottom of the final climb intact as a team with the group of 10. With Welsh setting tempo to hold off the intense chase behind from the peloton, Dvorak attacked, opening up a 15 second gap on the now shattering group of ten. McGrath answered the attack, making contact with her in time to counter her and ride clear into the finish for a stellar win and a 10 second time bonus.

Further down the slope, Kristin Armstrong responded to the attacks coming from Erinne Willock. As Armstrong fought to make contact, Clara Hughes matched her pace, and the three some came into the finish slightly behind the winners.

McGrath’s win puts her in Yellow by 17 seconds going into tomorrow’s 14 mile time trial over Dvorak. Behind McGrath are her Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 teammates, Armstrong, Welsh and Starnes, all within striking distance of the coveted Yellow Jersey. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s strong showing today placed them first in the team competition. With the time gaps still slight at less than 50 seconds separating the top ten, tomorrow’s winner of the time trial will most likely wear home the Yellow Jersey. The BMC Cascade Cycling Classic is far from over. Stay tuned for more exciting action from Bend, OR.

Results - Stage 1
1. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
2. Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
3. Kathryn Donovan (SC Velo - Empower Coaching)

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
2. Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
3. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
4. Kristen T Lasasso (Primal/MapMyRide)
5. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
6. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
7. Kathryn Donovan (SC Velo - Empower Coaching)
8. Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
9. Joelle Numainville (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
10. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS)

Photos: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us; Joe Savola
Kstrong Cascade - Joe Savola

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Armstrong Podiums – 2011 BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Prologue

Lenny B — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:53:25 +0000

Hundredths of a second separate the top women

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - Kicking off today, the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic is the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country. One of the premier stops on the NRC calendar, the six day stage race features an elite roster of women athletes including Canadian Clara Hughes, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Kristin Armstrong, and Hughes’ fellow countrywoman Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To The Top). With 14 teams and 113 women taking the start line, the Cascade Cycling Classic is one of the biggest stage races in 2011.

The star-studded field began their six day journey late in the afternoon with a 2 mile prologue. A technical course which tested the riders’ handling skills as well as their power, the course lent itself to the sprinters as well as the overall GC contenders.

Early on, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Cari Higgins lead the race with a time of 4:03. She held on to her lead until Jade Wilcoxson came through breaking the 4 minute mark with a 3:59. But the fastest of the fast were still yet to come with Hughes, Armstrong and Whitten patiently waiting until the end for their opportunity.

Hughes was the first to come in with a 3:55, only a snick off her time was Armstrong, only three one hundredths of a second away. But, shortly after Hughes and Armstrong came across, Whitten came flying out of the final corner and up the finishing straight, winning the stage by mere seconds.

Tomorrow’s 71 mile infamous McKenzie Bridge Stage will test all riders. With such small time gaps throughout the field, it is anybody’s race to win or lose. With a field so riddled with talent, the racing is sure to be fierce, and the woman who stands at the top of the podium tomorrow will have fought hard for her victory.

Results - Prologue
1. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
2. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
3. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
4. Pascale Schneinder (VanderKitten Focus)
5. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS)
6. Alison Shanks (BikeNZ)
7. Kaytee Boyd (BikeNZ)
8. Jaime Nielsen (BikeNZ)
9. Alison Starnes (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
10. Lauren Hall (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)

Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Announces 2010 Events

Lenny B — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:13:47 +0000

Minneapolis – The 2010 edition of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series will feature four national-caliber stage races that promise to showcase the country’s top female cycling talent.

The four events take place in four different states, beginning in March and running through to July:

March 25-28 – Redlands Bicycle Classic (California)
April 28-May 2 – SRAM Tour of the Gila (New Mexico)
June 16-20 – Nature Valley Grand Prix (Minnesota)
July 20-25 – Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic (Oregon)

The Nature Valley Grand Prix has been a part of every Women’s Prestige Cycling Series. The Redlands Classic is in the line-up for the sixth time in seven years, while this is the second year for the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic. New to the calendar is the SRAM Tour of the Gila, which replaces the Joe Martin Stage Race.

SRAM Tour of the Gila promoter Jack Brennan said inclusion in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series takes his race to a new level in its 24th year.

“We have always felt we have a really great race in place, a great organization and great community support,” Brennan said. “Adding the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series to the equation makes this year’s race all the more competitive.”

Four separate competitions comprise the Series: top overall individual, best young rider, best sprinter and top team. Special jerseys, provided by custom clothing manufacturer Champion System, will identify the leaders in the first three classifications.

Champions of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series in 2009 were Alison Powers of Team Type 1 (top individual), Tina Pic of Colavita-Sutter Home (best sprinter), Rebecca Much (above) of the Webcor Builders Cycling Team (best young rider) and Team TIBCO, which was the top team.

Nicola Cranmer, manager of the Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12 team, said it is important for women to have a series they can call their own. The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series originated from input during cycling summits that Cranmer was a part of that were held in conjunction with the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

“Giana Roberge, who directed our team back then, was one of the founders of the series and a huge supporter of women's racing,” Cranmer said. “With Kristin Armstrong at the helm, the Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12 team intends to make an impression on the races we are attending. I am a huge fan of the series. David LaPorte and his staff do a fantastic job.”

For an elite team like the TREADS.COM/DFT squad, the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series provides a target to obtain exposure and legitimacy at the national level, said team owner/director Megan Hottman.

“These four stage races really test a team's ability to work cohesively over the entire season,” Hottman said. “I believe our team's focus on balance will result in great placings in the overall series. We're excited to be a part of it.”

For more information about the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series, visit the official website, or send an e-mail to: wpcs2010@womencyclists.com.

Third At Cascade, Team Type 1’s Powers Wins WPCS

Lenny B — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Bend, Ore. – Being called to stand on the final podium at a National Racing Calendar (NRC) event is becoming a familiar routine for Team Type 1’s Alison Powers.

For the sixth time this season, Powers finished in the top three to retain her lead in the NRC individual standings. With only five races remaining in the series and a more than 200-point lead over her nearest competitor, Powers all but has the title locked up.

“This is really great,” Powers said after finishing third at the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic behind Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders) and runner-up Amber Rais (Team TIBCO). “Every stage race is different. So it’s great that the best overall GC (general classification) rider wins it because you have to be good at every one. I am lucky I have had a good team to help me.”

Powers placed fifth on Sunday’s final stage, the Deschutes Brewery Awbrey Butte Circuit Race. Kristin McGrath (ValueAct Capital Cycling Team) won the 52-mile (83 km) race ahead of Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO) and Catherine Cheatley (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light).

But the third-place result overall was made all the more special because it crowned Powers the winner of the season-long Women’s Professional Cycling Series. The WPCS is a four-race event that also includes the Redlands Bicycle Classic, Joe Martin Stage Race and the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

Team Director Jack Seehafer said Powers’ accomplishment does not come as a surprise, despite Team Type 1 being a first-year women’s program.

“We knew the abilities of all of our riders and what they were capable of achieving,” he said. “So it was a matter of holding up to those expectations. We also knew Alison wanted to learn and grow as a stage racer. So we worked to fuel that passion and work with her to succeed in putting her on the podium in every stage race this year.”

Powers finished third at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, second at the SRAM Tour of the Gila, first at the Joe Martin Stage Race, third at the Nature Valley Grand Prix and second at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic. Later this week, she will defend her national time trial title at the USA Cycling Elite Road National Championships, which also take place in Bend.

In the men’s race Sunday, Team Type 1’s Moises Aldape finished fourth in 83-mile (133 km) race as Matt Wilson wound up as the team’s best-placed overall finisher in eighth place. Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla won the race overall title.

Stage 6 Results
1. Kristin Mcgrath (USA) ValueAct Capital Cycling Team
2. Joanne Kiesanowski (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Cath Cheatley (USA) Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light

Final General Classification
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Webcor Builders
2. Amber Rais (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Alison Powers (USA) Team Type 1
4. Julie Beveridge (USA) Team TIBCO
5. Cath Cheatley (USA) Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
6. Chrissy Ruiter (USA) ValueAct Capital Cycling Team
7. Katharine Carroll (USA) Team TIBCO
8. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Lip Smacker
9. Robin Farina (USA) ValueAct Capital Cycling Team
10. Joanne Kiesanowski (USA) Team TIBCO

Photos: Courtesy Brian Hodes, VeloImages

Rock Racing’s Sevilla Conquers Cascade Classic

Lenny B — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Bend, Ore. — Rock Racing stamped its authority on the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic in a big way during Sunday’s final stage of the six-day race in Bend, Ore.

Yellow jersey wearer Oscar Sevilla helped Rock Racing teammate Francisco Mancebo put in an attack in the final miles of the Deschutes Brewery Awbrey Butte Circuit Race that moved Mancebo from third to second overall in the final standings.

In addition to the 1-2 finish overall, Rock Racing also took home the team title to cap a week that saw it win two stages and place third in two others.

“It was a good job by the boys,” Rock Racing Team Director Lorenzo LaPage said. “This was a difficult racem but all season long, this team has shown that it is strong and every guy has good experience. They just keep getting better and better.”
Jeff Louder (BMC Pro Cycling) was the rider Mancebo displaced for second place. Louder finished 20 seconds behind Sevilla and Mancebo in the final 83-mile (133 km) race that was won by Anthony Colby (Colavita-Sutter Homes presented by Cooking Light).

About the only disappointment of the race, LaPage said, was a crash Sunday that left David Vitoria with a lot of road rash but no broken bones.

“Thankfully, he’s OK,” LaPage said. “The idea was to bring Sevilla, Pena and Mancebo into good position on the last lap but after he (Vitoria) fell off, we had to do all the work with just three guys.”

Sevilla’s victory is Rock Racing’s 30th on the year to go along with 63 podium (top three) placings. It is also the Spaniard’s first win at a stage race in the United States and his first overall victory at a stage race since capturing the RCN Classic in Colombia last October.

Stage 6 Results
1. Anthony Colby (USA) Colavita Sutter Home
2. Taylor Shelden (USA) Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin
3. Alex Howes (USA) Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin

Final General Classification
1. Oscar Sevilla Rivera (USA) Rock Racing
2. Francisco Mancebo Perez (USA) Rock Racing
3. Jeff Louder (USA) BMC Racing Team
4. Rory Sutherland (USA) OUCH Pro Cycling Team
5. Chris Baldwin (USA) OUCH Pro Cycling Team
6. Jeremy Vennell (USA) BISSELL Pro Cycling Team
7. Victor Hugo Pena (USA) Rock Racing
8. Matt Wilson (USA) Team Type 1
9. Steve Bovay (USA) BMC Racing Team
10. Chris Jones (USA) Team Type 1

Photos: Courtesy Brian Hodes, VeloImages

Rock Racing’s Dominguez Dazzles Downtown Bend, PROMAN’s Rivera Sparkles

Lenny B — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:24:00 +0000

Bend, Ore. — It took Rock Racing nearly the entire race to chase down a four-man breakaway Saturday night at the Downtown Bend Criterium at the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic.

But once the catch was made, there was little doubt who would be the man of the moment.

Ivan Dominguez blazed down the long finishing stretch lined by a massive crowd to score Rock Racing’s second stage win. Alejandro Borrajo (Colavita-Sutter Homes presented by Cooking Light) finished second and Andrew Pinfold (OUCH presented by Maxxis) was third.

Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla, who won Stage 2 to take the overall lead, retained his yellow jersey, as there was no change in the overall standings.

The victory is Dominguez’s first since joining the Rock Racing team earlier last month. But he is no stranger to winning in Bend. Two years ago, the Cuban-born, U.S. citizen won this same stage (racing for the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team) in a field sprint.

“The last win that I had was in Georgia (at the Tour de Georgia in April of 2008), so this feels great,” Dominguez said. “I like this sprint. It’s long – the way I like. I knew if I went with 300 meters to go that no one was going to pass me.”

Dominguez’s fast finish would not have been possible without the help of his Rock Racing teammates, who worked tirelessly to keep Kirk Carlsen (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin), Michael Creed (Team Type 1), Russ Langley (Battley Harley-Davidson) and Jackson Stewart (BMC Pro Cycling) from stealing the win. The four came within 15 seconds of catching the back of the field at one point.

But Rock Racing teamed up with OUCH presented by Maxxis and the two teams traded pulls to shave seconds off the advantage each time around the six-tenths-of-a-mile (1 km) course after the four riders’ lead peaked at 60 seconds with 35 minutes left in the 90-minute race.

“I said to the guys to keep the break there,” Dominguez said. “I told them we had to take care of the jersey. Tomorrow’s another day. We didn’t need to kill it. That was good for us.”

Sunday’s final stage is the 83-mile 133 km) Awbrey Butte Circuit Race. Sevilla leads Jeff Louder (BMC) by 40 seconds. Rock Racing’s Francisco Mancebo is in third, 1:00 back of Sevilla. A third rider from Rock Racing, Victor Hugo Peña, is seventh, 1:54 behind.

Stage 5 Results - Men
1. Ivan Dominguez (USA) Rock Racing
2. Alejandro Borrajo (Arg) Colavita-Sutter Home
3. Andrew Pinfold (Can) OUCH presentec by Maxxis

General Classification After Stage 5 - Men
1. Oscar Sevilla Rivera (Rock Racing)
2. Jeff Louder (BMC Racing Tea)
3. Francisco Mancebo Perez (Rock Racing)
4. Ian Mckissick (BMC Racing Team)
5. Rory Sutherland OUCH presented by Maxxis)
6. Chris Baldwin (OUCH presented by Maxxis)
7. Victor Hugo Pena (Rock Racing)
8. Darren Lill (Team Type 1)
9. Jeremy Vennell (BISSELL Pro Cycling Team)
10. Matt Wilson (Team Type 1)

Youth Is Served
With much of the focus surrounding the precocious talents of Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders), who was still atop of the General Classification of the 30th Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic going into Saturday's Downtown Bend Criterium, it was easy to forget about all of the amazing talent within the Women's peloton.

Not to be overshadowed, Coryn Rivera (PROMAN Hit Squad) showed why she would also be a force to reckon with in the future. The 16-year-old Rivera, already a winner at this year's Manhattan Beach Grand Prix and San Rafael Twilight Criterium, would out kick Colavita's Tina Pic and Kristy Broun (Team Lip Smacker) to take the Downtown Bend Criterium.

Given the assembled field, this is undoubtedly Rivera's biggest win to date, and surprisingly all of it was done with junior gearing.

Stage 5 Results - Women
1. Coryn Rivera (USA) Proman Hit Squad
2. Tina Pic (USA) Colavita-Sutter Home
3. Kristy Broun (Aus) Lip Smackers

General Classification After Stage 5 - Women
1. Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders)
2. Amber Rais (Team TIBCO)
3. Alison Powers (Team Type 1)
4. Julie Beveridge (Team TIBCO)
5. Cath Cheatley (Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
6. Katharine Carroll (Team TIBCO)
7. Chrissy Ruiter (ValueAct Capital Cycling Team)
8. Jessica Phillips (Team Lip Smacker)
9. Alison Starnes (Team TIBCO)
10. Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO)

Photos: Courtesy Brian Hodes, VeloImages (top); Bob Cullinan, CycleTo (middle and bottom)

Team Type 1’s Powers Climbs To Third Overall

Lenny B — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:51:00 +0000

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort – Team Type 1 women’s Team Director Jack Seehafer told Alison Powers the climb to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort suited her. But Powers said she wasn’t so convinced.

"After the climb two days ago and how poorly I did in the time trial (third) Thursday, I didn’t have much confidence,” Powers said. “It’s amazing how fast you can lose your self-confidence.”

But those doubts were swept away on the ascent to the finish of the 71-mile (114 km) race when Powers found herself in the final selection. By the time the race reached the parking lot of the ski resort, only race leader Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders) was up ahead and Powers found herself sprinting against Amber Rais (Team TIBCO) for second place.

"The final climb was perfect for me," Powers said. "It was not very steep, with a gentle grade, and those are the ones where I can do the best. What I didn’t realize was that we would ride all the way around the parking lot. I was getting quite tired at that point, so Amber was able to sit on and then sprint around me.”

The third-place finish was Powers' second straight of the six-day race and moved her into third place overall, one minute and 39 seconds behind Stevens. Rais is second overall, 18 seconds behind Stevens.

Only Saturday’s hour-long criterium and Sunday’s 52-mile (84 km) Awbrey Butte Circuit Race remain in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) event. Powers aims to earn her sixth podium finish at an NRC event this season. She finished third at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, runner-up at the SRAM Tour of the Gila, first at the Joe Martin Stage Race, third at the Nature Valley Grand Prix and runner-up at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

Powers is the NRC women's individual points leader and Team Type 1 is No. 1 in the team competition. Powers is also the leader in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series.

Stage 4 Results - Women
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Webcor Builders
2. Amber Rais (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Alison Powers (USA) Team Type 1

General Classification After Stage 4 - Women
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Webcor Builders
2. Amber Rais (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Alison Powers (USA) Team Type 1
4. Julie Beveridge (USA) Team TIBCO
5. Cath Cheatley (USA) Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
6. Katharine Carroll (USA) Team TIBCO
7. Chrissy Ruiter (USA) ValueAct Capital Cycling Team
8. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Lip Smacker
9. Alison Starnes (USA) Team TIBCO
10. Meredith Miller (USA) Team TIBCO

Photo: Courtesy Brian Hodes, VeloImages