Race Report: SRAM Tour of the Gila - Stage 2: Fort Bayard Inner Loop Road Race

What an awesome day in the saddle! I'm laying in my tent right now just relaxing before going to sleep and recapping about today. Before going into today I'd like to correct myself about my finish position from yesterday. I actually finished 7th and started today at +1:26. I was pretty surprised when I heard that I had lost so much time on the final section of the climb but it does make sense as I was definitely way in the red.

That is where I started today (in 7th and 1:26 off the leader). We rolled out of fort bayard at 10 and started our 80 mile route at a blistering pace. It seemed like people who weren't too happy with their times from yesterday were out with a vengeance and I was happy to get sucked along. Around mile 8 we began our first climb: 1000 ft up the pinos altos. I rolled over it fine and the group stayed together. On the descent from the summit I was sitting around 20th and was behind some very sketchy riders.

We dropped down to 6500 ft before starting another 1000 ft cat 3 climb up meadow creek. Things got a little more broken up on this climb and I went over the top in 5th heading into a very tight and technical descent. On the way down I advanced to 3rd and was feeling very fast on the hairpins and switchbacks.

Once we got down to the valley there were 7 of us off the front and we started a rotating paceline. I was certain that this was going to be the move to win the day but after about 5 minutes those dreams were shot. Although there were 7 of us, only 3 of us were doing any work. After about 20 minutes and extending our lead to a max of 1:30 over the field, we were caught and it was again gruppo compacto.

From there we rode a pretty easy 20 miles through the Gila, over the continental decide, and then down to the Mimbres River. There were a few break away attempts but nothing would stick.

It was at the Mimbres and the following cat 3 1000ft climb where the attacks started. A few riders were able to secure some pretty substantial leads on the long, shallow climbs there. It was also on those climbs that the lead group whittled down to about 20.

Coming into the finish we picked up all but one break away rider and were really picking up some speed. As we turned into the final mile into the fort there plenty of attacks but I just hung in and set up my sprint. As I was just about to luck it into high gear another rider pulled in front of me and blocked my route. After going around him I was still able to gain some spots before the finish but not enough to contend the win. We caught the break at the line and although he still was able to cross first we were all given the same time.
I finished 6th for the day and am sitting 6th in the GC at +1:28. Tomorrow is the ITT and I'm definitely nervous about it. Time trialing is not one of my strong points but I need to do well in order to maintain my position in the GC. There will be a lot of climbing as well as a mega crosswind which will hopefully improve my odds of doing well particularly since I don't have any TT equipment. I'll let you know how it goes

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