Killington Stage Race, May 29-31

After being canceled for 10 years, the Killington Stage Race was back for 2010. The race was a 3-day event in Vermont: a flat circuit race, a mildly uphill 17km TT and a road race ending in an 8km final climb.

Sue and Michelle drove down from Ottawa and Montreal, while Mel, Leigh and I headed out from the GTA. For us, the trip began with fitting 5 bikes, 13 wheels, 3 people and luggage into a station wagon. Everything fit surprisingly well, although we discovered the downside of the Ford Focus' great gas milage--a total lack of power. Nonetheless, we put our cycling tactics to use when passing other cars (slingshot from well behind, just like you'd attack someone in the a breakaway!) and made it to Vermont.

The circuit race was flat and fast, ending with a downhill (!!) sprint finish. Michelle was gutsy enough to get into the action and sprinted to 6th. The rest of us opted to stay safe (and not lose any GC time) and finished in the peloton.

Next day was the TT--which turned out to be 17k of headwind, in addition to the hill. Sue often flies under the radar by being very modest but extremely fast. Unfortunately (?) her cover was blown when she took the win, and finished 1 minute 22 seconds ahead of the next rider.

Michelle, Mel, Leigh and I finished 10th, 13th, 17th and 27th respectively. Very solid TTs, especially for Michelle and Mel.



The road race was the last day-- 99km with a mid-race QoM climb and a final 9km climb. Sue arrived at the start line in the pink leaders jersey (and possibly a target on her back?). The race race was pretty cool until the first QoM when the pack fractured. Sue was in the lead group and Mel and Michelle worked incredibly hard after the QoM to regain contact with Sue, and make sure she was protected during the rest of the race. Leigh and I also worked very hard, albeit at a slightly slower pace :)

I chased for what seemed like forever (and boy was I glad when I saw a slowing line of cars ahead of me--it meant I was approaching other riders!) Finally, by about 20km to go, most of the field had regrouped. There were a few joint Nano-Blur-Gears/ 7th-groove attacks which Mel and I worked to cover. The pack arrived at the final climb altogether.

Again, Sue showed her fitness, finishing 51 seconds ahead of the next rider to take the GC title! Mel, Michelle, myself and Leigh finished 14th, 15th, 24th and 36th.

All in all, it was a good weekend of results (GC win for Sue!!!, 11th for Michelle and 13th for Mel) and a good learning experience. It was great to spend some time with other team members and get to know each other on and off the bike.

--Rachel