July 20/11 22:51 pm - Cascade Classic: Women's Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 07/20/11
 

Results from the 2nd stage in Bend Oregon

Report by Cycling BC's Jeremy Storie

Good things come to those who wait. Whether by design or circumstance Cycling BC's women played a good round of cards today at the Cascade Cycing Classic in Bend, OR. Stage one (on day two) was the McKenzie Pass road race. 74 miles with one 35 km climb at mid point and finishing with an 18 km climb up to 5200 feet at Three Creeks Snow Park just outside of Sisters.

The day started with about 10 km of neutral then it was race on. Jenny had a mechanical shortly after racing began and spent the better part of 20 km chasing before getting back on. Steph then proceeded to do yeoman's work covering lots of moves and coming back from bottles for all BC team riders in the group.  At the 40 km mark the Mckenzie Pass climb began and by one third up the 35 km ascent a group of 11 riders had made a break that was sticking. All the main GC teams were represented except Cycling BC and Cycling NZ. The gap grew to a maximum of just under 4 minutes, but with several riders from each of TIBCO, Colavita, and Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12 in the move but none of the current GC racers the gap started coming down on the descent. Then with a bit more chasing from a few teams in the approximately 40 strong peleton the gap decreased to inside two minutes starting the final 18 km push to the top. In the peleton were Cycling BC's Clara Hughes and Jasmin Glaesser along with yellow jersey Tibco rider Tara Whitten.
 
Clara and Jasmin continued to bide their time following the wheels they needed to follow as the lead group of 11 was eventually whittled down to 4. The chase then splintered yet still with Clara and Jasmin in a strong position. In the closing kilometre Erinne Willock put in a second strong attack which ended up just coming up short of the leading group won by Kristin McGrath. Clara then continued to follow crossing the line in 6th with Jasmin coming in about 30 seconds later as top young rider on the day. The yellow jersey was dropped for a small amount of time and while Clara dropped to 5th overall only 32 seconds out of the lead with  the 24 km time trial tomorrow where she can again display her National Champions colours. Once again the deck will be shuffled. Jasmin ended up with a great day showing fantastic patience and composure finishing up 13th as top young rider and now is 1 min 23 seconds back from the leader but a scant 4 seconds back overall in the young rider category.