Rock Racing's Santiago Botero wins the first stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic, Leipheimer is fifth

The break was 13 men strong when it was finally established

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Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

Riders from teams such as Toyota-United, BMC, Ride Clean, and California Giant-Specialized tried launching attacks before a break of 12 finally succeeded around mile 38. It included Matt Cooke (Health Net-Maxxis); Caleb Manion (Toyota-United); Bissell teammates Ben Jacques-Maynes, Burke Swindlehurst, and Jeremy Vennell; BMC riders Jonathan Garcia and Brent Bookwalter; Team Type 1 teammates Glen Chadwick and Chris Jones; John Hunt (California Giant-Specialized); Justin Rose (BobsBicycles.com), and Chad Beyer, an U23 National Team member.

Just before the KOM at mile 50, some shuffling occurred in the main break, with Cooke, Manion, and Rose falling off the pace. In the meantime, one by one, Botero, Louder, and Baldwin bridged up, keeping the break at 12 men.

By mile 62, the dozen riders had established their largest gap at 2:15, but the peloton began reeling them in, closing that to just under one minute by mile 67. The majority of the break worked well together, and for the remaining 15 miles, never let the gap get below 44 seconds.

As soon as the break hit the bottom of Pilot Butte, Botero, who won the KOM jersey at the Tour de France in 2000, powered away from his companions, and momentarily 21-year-old Beyer was able to hang onto his wheel. “I just blew up halfway up,” he gasped at the finish line.

In his fourth year with the U23 National Team in Belgium and home from Europe on a brief break, Beyer decided to do Cascade because it looked like “a really cool race with a good field.” He said he was surprised he could catch Botero’s wheel as he surged, and “Two seconds later, I was like, ‘I’m gonna blow up!’ I just tried to maintain a good pace the rest of the way up.”

Botero was out of his saddle almost the entire two kilometers up to the finish, looking back periodically to see if anyone was with him. Baldwin passed Beyer as he fell off Botero’s wheel, and seemed to nearly match Botero’s pace, but never quite reached him, and crossed the finish six seconds down, followed by Louder 14 seconds later.

Of the final climb, Louder explained, “It’s such an all-out effort. It’s basically just man-on-man, and the better man won.”

Levi Leipheimer (Astana) sprinted off the front of the main field through the remains of the breakaway for fifth on the day

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

While Leipheimer was not part of the original break, he bridged to the escapees at the bottom of the climb and passed everyone, reaching Jones just before the finish. Jones crossed first, and they both received the same time, 25 seconds off Botero.

Asked if he was concerned about where Leipheimer was on the climb, Botero nodded with a smile, and said, “He’s so strong now, the best rider in the United States.” Referring to Astana’s lack of an invitation to the Tour de France, he continued, “It’s sad because I am 100 percent sure he could win the Tour. But I’m happy with him, Chris Horner, and Tom Danielson here – it makes the racing good.”

Women: Armstrong again
The Cascade Classic was cancelled last year for the women due to a conflict with Nationals, but Wednesday’s first stage saw its return with a vengeance. In years past, the women have only done five stages, so this was their first time doing the Prineville Road Race and the peloton rose to the occasion in spite of being faced with unusually difficult circumstances.

The women’s race heated up as a group of seven got away early

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

The 90-strong field started their race just minutes after the men, following the same course. After the first feed zone around mile 22, Sarah Barber (Bobs-Bicycles.com), a life flight paramedic from Boise, Idaho, attacked and gained a gap immediately. She increased it to 3:20, but was caught just prior to the QOM by a small group driven by Armstrong’s hard tempo that included Beveridge, Felicia Gomez (Aaron’s), Thorburn, Mattis, and Holcomb. Just after the climb, though, the break of seven, and then numerous splintered groups behind them and the peloton, were neutralized in order to allow time for emergency workers to assist the injured Brooks (from the men’s race) off the course.

Dr. Kathy Moore of Desert Orthopedics was on the scene and said that they called for a helicopter, which was too far to respond, and an ambulance arrived in roughly 20 minutes. The women were neutralized in the 95 degree heat – without any shade – for roughly 30 minutes before starting again at gaps based on their arrival times at the QOM. The break of seven, then, started first, and “started working right away together,” according to Armstrong.

When asked how the interruption in the race impacted her and the other racers, Armstrong said, “It doesn’t feel so good, but it was a good working group [the break of seven], and as far as affecting us, yah, we had to all reset our minds, but you know, that’s bike racing.”

Mattis added, “Between the heat and the altitude and that ‘intermission’ that we had halfway through, you never want to have an experience like that. I hope that the Team Type 1 rider is ok, and my thoughts are with him and his team.”

The group of seven built a gap that expanded to over two minutes. “Immediately all seven of us started working,” Mattis said. “We knew it was advantageous for us to put as much time on the peloton as possible. And everyone rolled through.” With about 5K to go, the Webcor trio started attacking and Armstrong was able to respond each time, helped, she said, by the fact that they were riding into a headwind.

“Katheryn [Mattis] took a good attack at the bottom of the climb” to Pilot Butte, she said, “and I kinda came off of her, and then Julie [Beveridge] stayed with me for a little bit. Then I separated by myself.”

Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo/Lifeforce) battled her way up the final climb to victory with a few broken spokes

Photo: ©2008 Action Images/Kurt Jambretz

Armstrong powered to the finish, followed by former swimmer Beveridge at just three seconds back. Thorburn led her Webcor teammates, Mattis and Holcomb, in next to round out the top five.

Armstrong is coming off her third consecutive win at Nature Valley, where she won with just one Cervelo Lifeforce teammate, and is riding at Cascade alone. “Teams out here were really nice,” she said. Despite the hot and dry conditions with no team car, she said that “I always had girls coming up to me asking if I needed a bottle, and they were super supportive when they knew that I was by myself.”

Even with the difficult first day conditions, Mattis seemed to express the sentiment of the women’s peloton regarding the return of the women’s race. “I’m glad that it’s on again this year, and for him [race director Chad Sperry] to add another stage for the women is phenomenal. It’s good hard racing and that’s what I love.”

Photo Gallery

Results

Men’s Stage 1 Results
1. Santiago Botero, Rock Racing in 2:48:31
2. Chris Baldwin, Toyota United at 0:00:06
3. Jeff Louder, BMC at 0:00:20
4. Chris Jones, Team Type 1 at 0:00:25
5. Levi Leipheimer, Astana at 0:00:25
6. Brent Bookwalter, BMC at 0:00:34
7. Cesar Grajales, Rock Racing at 0:00:37
8. John Hunt, California Giant/Specialized at 0:00:38
9. Glen Chadwick, Team Type 1 at 0:00:45
10. Tyler Wren, Colavita Sutterhome at 0:00:51
11. Darren Lill, BMC at 0:00:52
12. Burke Swindlehurst, Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:00:55
13. Blake A Caldwell, Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O at 0:00:55
14. Peter Stetina, Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O at 0:00:55
15. Chad Beyer at 0:00:55
16. Ian Mckissick, BMC at 0:00:55
17. Phil Zajicek, Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:00:59
18. Jonathan P Mccarty, Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O at 0:01:01
19. Ricardo Escuela, Successful Living at 0:01:01
20. Aaron Olson, Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:01:02
21. Moises Aldape, Team Type 1 at 0:01:02
22. Benjamin Jacques Maynes, Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:01:02
23. Will Routley at 0:01:08
24. Scott Nydam, BMC at 0:01:08
25. Michael Grabinger, Successful Living at 0:01:11
26. Tom Zirbel, Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:01:13
27. Matt Wilson, Team Type 1 at 0:01:20
28. Taylor Shelden, Team Rio Grande Cycling at 0:01:21
29. Christopher D Barton at 0:01:22
30. James Mattis, California Giant / Specialized at 0:01:23
31. Andy Jacques Maynes, California Giant / Specialized at 0:01:23
32. Adam Switters, Rock Racing at 0:01:25
33. Christian Helmig, Metro Volkswagen/ FCS Cycling at 0:01:25
34. Jonathan Garcia, BMC at 0:01:25
35. Edward King, Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:01:25
36. Ben Day, Toyota United at 0:01:25
37. Chris Wherry, Toyota United at 0:01:28
38. Nick Clayville, Hagens Berman LLP Cycling Team at 0:01:29
39. Rolf Eisinger, Team Legacy Energy Ciclismo at 0:01:34
40. Steve Bovay, BMC at 0:01:35
41. Tim Johnson, Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:01:43
42. Adrian Hegyvary, Hagens Berman LLP Cycling Team at 0:01:43
43. Bryson L Perry, American R.A.D.D / AGEL at 0:01:45
44. Billy Demong, American R.A.D.D / AGEL at 0:01:45
45. Jonathan Chodroff, Empire Cycling Team at 0:01:45
46. Logan Hunn, Rubicon ORBEA at 0:01:48
47. Paul Esposti, Team Legacy Energy Ciclismo at 0:01:50
48. Frank Pipp, Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:01:53
49. Brian Jensen, Successful Living at 0:01:53
50. Benjamin L Bradshaw, Kahala La Grange at 0:01:53
51. Trevor Connor, Chris Cookies/Swan Cycles, at 0:01:53
52. Rudolph Naplolitano, Rock Racing at 0:01:59
53. Jeff Hartman, Michelob UltraBig Shark Racing at 0:01:59
54. Roman Kilun Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:01:59
55. Davide Frattini Colavital Sutterhome 0:01:59
56. Jarred Berger Team Legacy Energy Ciclismo 0:01:59
57. Josh A Horowitz Liquid Fitness at 0:02:08
58. Jeremy Vennell Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:02:09
59. Kevin Rowe BobsBicycles.com 0:02:09
60. Luis A Zamudio American R.A.D.D / AGEL at 0:02:11
61. Steve Larsen at 0:02:14
62. Craig Luekens Targetraining U25/Elite at 0:02:17
63. Valeriy Kobzarenko Team Type 1 at 0:02:21
64. Roman Van Uden RubiconORBEA at 0:02:23
65. Aaron B Tuckerman Jelly Belly Pro Cycling 0:02:23
66. Corey Collier Health Net presented by Maxxis 0:02:23
67. Steven Cozza Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O at 0:02:24
68. Mark Schwab excelsports.com at 0:02:26
69. Nathan Miller BMC 0:02:26
70. Gardie Jackson American R.A.D.D / AGEL at 0:02:27
71. Hugh A Trenchard Schwalbe at 0:02:29
72. Carson Miller RubiconORBEA at 0:02:31
73. Osvaldo Olmos California Giant / Specialized at 0:02:33
74. Alessandro Bazzana Successful Living at 0:02:35
75. Taylor Kneuven Team Rio Grande Cycling at 0:02:36
76. Ian Gray Team Legacy Energy Ciclismo 0:02:36
77. Justin Mayfield BobsBicycles.com at 0:02:37
78. Shawn Milne Team Type 1 at 0:02:43
79. Calvin Allan BobsBicycles.com at 0:02:45
80. Omer Kem Bissell Pro Cycling Team 0:02:45
81. Kevin Klein Rock Racing at 0:02:47
82. Josh Bartlett RubiconORBEA 0:02:47
83. Allen Krughoff Team Rio Grande Cycling at 0:02:49
84. Ivan Stevic ToyotaUnited 0:02:49
85. Jesse Moore California Giant / Specialized at 0:02:52
86. Mike Zagorski Pacific Velo 0:02:52
87. Eric Riggs* NorCal Elite Cycling at 0:02:58
88. Tom Danielson Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O at 0:03:07
89. Curtis Gunn Successful Living at 0:03:08
90. Shaun Morris RubiconORBEA 0:03:08
91. Justin England ToyotaUnited 0:03:08
92. Stefano Barberi THF Racing 0:03:08
93. Bradley White Successful Living 0:03:08
94. Matt Cooke Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:03:11
95. Jonny Clarke ToyotaUnited 0:03:11
96. Thomas I Peterson Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O 0:03:11
97. Craig Upton Above Category Racing at 0:03:14
98. Rory Sutherland Health Net presented by Maxxis at 0:03:16
99. Erik Slack BobsBicycles.com at 0:03:25
100. Jonathan N Baker Vitamin Cottage Cycling Team at 0:03:28
101. Dominique Rollin ToyotaUnited at 0:03:45
102. Caleb Manion ToyotaUnited 0:03:45
103. Lang Reynolds Hagens Berman LLP Cycling Te at 0:03:55
104. Zag Grabowski THF Racing 0:03:55
105. Sam Johnson Hagens Berman LLP Cycling Te at 0:03:58
106. Morgan Schmitt Bissell Pro Cycling Team at 0:04:03
107. Brad Cole Team Legacy Energy Ciclismo at 0:04:10

Women’s Stage 1 Results

TITLE
1. Kristin Armstrong Savola, Cervelolifeforce in 3:39:47
2. Julie Beveridge, Aaron’s Pro Cycling at 0:00:03
3. Christine Thorburn, Webcor Builders at 0:00:17
4. Katheryn Mattis, Webcor Builders at 0:00:31
5. Janel Holcomb, Webcor Builders at 0:01:10
6. Sarah Barber, Bobsbicycles.com 0:01:5
7. Felicia Gomez, Aaron’s Pro Cycling at 0:02:10
8. Amy Dombroski, Webcor Builders at 0:04:09
9. Marisa Asplundowens, Cheerwine Cycling at 0:04:43
10. Meredith Miller, Aaron’s Pro Cycling at 0:04:48
11. Flavia Oliveira, Touchstone Climbing at 0:04:52
12. Amber Rais, Team Tibco at 0:04:59
13. Kelly Mcdonald, Touchstone Climbing at 0:05:03
14. Alice Pennington, Veloforma/zym at 0:05:12
15. Anna Drakulich, Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling at 0:05:12
16. Morgan Kapp, Southbay Wheelmen at 0:05:13
17. Sharon Allpress, Valueact Capital Cycling Team at 0:05:14
18. Kristin Sanders, Aaron’s Pro Cycling at 0:05:22
19. Robin Secrist, Veloforma/zym at 0:05:24
20. Davina C Summers, Metromint Cycling On Marin Bike at 0:05:24
21. Teri Sheasby, Bend Bike N Sport at 0:05:28
22. Ruth Clemenc, Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling at 0:05:28
23. Hilary Billington, Veloforma/zym at 0:05:29
24. Gina Grain, Webcor Builders at 0:05:29
25. Lindsay M Myers, Dewar’s Racing Team at 0:05:29
26. Jane Robertson, Metromint Cycling On Marin Bike at 0:05:29
27. Alison Testroete, Aaron’s Pro Cycling at 0:05:29
28. Tricia Bailey, Team Shoair/cvac at 0:05:29
29. Michelle Beltran, Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling at 0:05:41
30. Maria Monica, Touchstone Climbing at 0:05:42
31. Megan M Hottman, Dftqa3 Financial at 0:05:46
32. Martina Patella, Valueact Capital Cycling Team at 0:05:47
33. Ally Stacher, Bobsbicycles.com 0:05:48
34. Heather A Clark, Bend Bike N Sport at 0:05:49
35. Molly S Van Houweling, Metromint Cycling On Marin Bike at 0:05:49
36. Dana Robertsonhalter, Team Group Health at 0:05:51
37. Katharine Lundby, Bend Bike N Sport at 0:05:55
38. Jen Weinbrecht, Bend Bike N Sport at 0:05:57
39. Melanie Meyers, Specialized D4w/bicycle Haus at 0:05:59
40. Rebecka Hartkop, Veloforma/zym at 0:05:59
41. Emily Thurston, Team Organic Athlete at 0:06:03
42. Yukie Nakamura, Metromint Cycling On Marin Bike at 0:06:05
43. Beatrice Rodriguez, Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling at 0:06:08
44. Sabrina Savage, Veloforma/zym at 0:06:08
45. Allison Beall, 3:45:55 Bobsbicycles.com at 0:06:08
46. Arielle Filiberti, Bend Bike N Sport at 0:06:11
47. Jadine Riley, Team Group Health at 0:06:12
48. Izette Swan, Team Group Health at 0:06:12
49. Gabriela Ferrat, Bicycle John’s Serious Cycling at 0:06:13
50. Jessica Phillips, Aspen Bike Guide at 0:06:13
51. Elizabeth Nettles, Team Group Health at 0:06:15
52. Olivia Dillon, Touchstone Climbing at 0:06:22
53. Kelli Jones, Southbay Wheelmen at 0:06:26
54. Coryn J Rivera* Kahala La Grangeat 0:06:26
55. Alison Starnes* Team TIBCO at 0:06:27
56. Linsey Bradshaw Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:06:31
57. Shannon L Koch* Metro Volkswagen Cycling Tea at 0:06:36
58. Tricia Sandstrom Team Group Health at 0:06:38
59. Megan Rathwell Touchstone Climbing 0:06:38
60. Suz Weldon Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:06:40
61. Helen Kelly Team TIBCO 0:06:40
62. Janeen Thorpe Touchstone Climbing at 0:06:42
63. Kendall Ryan* Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:06:47
64. Lana Atchley Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:06:49
65. Emily Zell ValueAct Capital Cycling Team 0:06:49
66. Kristina Seley Touchstone Climbing at 0:07:02
67. Rushlee Buchanan* Team TIBCO at 0:07:09
68. Ashley Anderson* Metro Volkswagen Cycling Tea at 0:07:13
69. Carrie S Eller Metromint Cycling on Marin Bike at 0:07:15
70. Lynn Allbrow Bend Bike N Sport at 0:07:25
71. Jennifer Reither SouthBay Wheelmen at 0:07:45
72. Ryan Hostetter Velo Bella at 0:07:59
73. Kelsey M Withrow PCIM at 0:08:08
74. Megan Elliott Bend Bike N Sport at 0:09:15
75. Brooke Miller Team TIBCO at 0:09:48
76. Anna Davenport at 0:10:10
77. Laurel Green SouthBay Wheelmen at 0:11:36
78. Susan Peithman Veloforma/Zym at 0:14:26
79. Ashley Dymond* Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:15:32
80. Anny Henry Metromint Cycling on Marin Bike at 0:16:44
81. Erin Ford Team SHOAIR/CVAC at 0:17:57
82. Marni Hambleton ValueAct Capital Cycling Team at 0:18:17
83. Lara Kroepsch ValueAct Capital Cycling Team 0:18:17
84. Sami R Fournier Organic Athlete Cycling Team at 0:18:21
85. Michele Conrad Team Group Health at 0:18:57
86. Miranda Moon Veloforma/Zym at 0:19:27