September 3/05 1:47 am - Green Mountain Stage Race: Prologue

Posted by Editoress on 09/3/05
 

Green Mountain Stage Race Appalachian Gap, VT
Courtesy John Atkinson

Prologue: Appalachian Gap Hill Climb

Friday’s Green Mountain Stage Race (GMSR) Prologue was held under near perfect race conditions, encouraging strong performances from a record number of competitors. With more than 900 riders, every field has a deep pool of talent and the prestigious overall titles remain open to claim.

The Prologue’s grueling hill climb of the famed Appalachian Gap is a wake up call for many riders, especially those who train in flatter terrain, but Sarah Tillotson (ABD/ Trek-VW) of gentle Illinois hung tight to win the Pro Women’s Race. Team Lipton set the pace on the approach to the main climb, only to be replaced by Team Biovail for the more tilted portion of the track. Kate Sherwin (Victory Brewing Cycling Team) also helped keep the intensity high, but with a well-timed push, it was Tillotson who crossed the line first. “I just kept as close as I could and made my move at the right time,” said Tillotson.

The Men’s Pro field is larger than ever with 130 riders this year. With so much competition, the Prologue highlighted the benefits of dependable teamwork and adequate preparation. So perhaps it’s no surprise that Target Training swept their man Anthony Colby, recently of Durango, Colorado, to the top of the victory podium and into the yellow jersey. A Target teammate, Argentinean Alejandro Acton, put the hammer down to the bottom of the hill, towing the rest of his squad plus members of the Louis Garneau, Broadmark Capital and Fior di Frutta teams. The lead changed hands several times through the steep pitches and turns, but even with an eight man break at 500m, only one rider still had something to give and Colby won with a solid lead. “Alejandro and the rest of the team kept the pace strong and helped reel in any breaks, setting me up for the final sprint,” related Colby.

Saturday’s Roxbury Circuit Race consists of two 34.5 miles laps on rolling terrain through picturesque farm fields and quiet Vermont towns. Look for Tillotson and Colby to come out strong to defend their yellow jerseys, but the GMSR is just getting going and it’s still anybody’s race.

Courtesy of Velocity Results