TOUR OF THE GILA
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Stage 2 - Fort Bayard Inner Loop RR
The 80-mile course (77.9 for Men 2) includes 5,781 feet of climbing with a very technical 1,000+ drop at mile 28.7, the 3-mile descent has numerous sharp corners, hairpins and 2 switchbacks.
"This will be one they'll be talking about for years, one for the history books and a character builder for sure." ~Team Director Kurt Stockton
The story today was the wind, a wind so fierce it made for an unbelievably tough day of epic proportions. "It was the windiest day of racing I have ever experienced," said Team Director Kurt Stockton, "on or off the bike." Kurt said the wind was blowing so hard at one point the riders were at a 45 degree angle struggling to keep their bikes upright and getting blown into oncoming traffic on the other side of the road. Fortunately cars yielded to the racers, some having to drive off the opposite side of the road.
Gusts of up to 75 and 80 mph were reported, and due to the direction of the course, riders experienced headwinds, tailwinds and cross winds. Riders got pelted with blasts of sand and couldn't take their hands off their handlebars to drink. VeloNews reported the winds forced riders onto the dirt shoulder, even the sidewalk, and at one point slowed the pack down to 20mph on a descent that normally produces 50+ mph speeds. (Source: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/04/news/amaran-wins-sram-tour-of-the-gila-stage-2-leipheimer-second_113709#ixzz0mXe0WkRp) This article even quotes Lance Armstrong as saying he isn't sure he's ever seen wind like that in a race.
Our riders battled through it all. The Pro Men race came apart in the first 10 miles. The first climb of the day was early on and with the wind being what it was, even a bike length gap was too much to bridge. Sergio Hernandez and Corey Farrell were close to the front and fought to stay with the main pack but when riders in front of them dropp ed back, there was no getting across even the smallest gaps. And yesterday's brutal mountain finish was replaced with today's brutal wind finish. Sergio and Corey were in a group of 25 riders that finished in the first group after the main field. Danny Heeley struggled with the altitude early on and after battling through the day, had to pull out just short of the finish.
FYI, Luis Amaran of Jamis Sutter Home / Colavita outsprinted Levi Leipheimer for the win. Levi finished 2nd.
There was a small break of about 9 in the Men Cat 2 race. Cory Greenberg performed well and finished in the second group after the leaders. Kit fought back after an early flat. He and Aaron Schneider also finished the epic day.
Official results TBD, not posted yet for any of the races (at location or online).
Tomorrow is Stage 3, Dan Potts Memorial Tyrone Individual TT. A technical 16.15 miles, the course is out and back, climbing both faces of Little Burro Pass (elevation 6,394'), steeper on the return. Pro Men begin at 9:30am. Men 2 start last after all categories. Let's hope the wind takes a day off.
Check out the video from yesterday's Stage 1: http://www.youtube.com/user/theroaddiaries
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