May 3/12 20:43 pm - Tour of the Gila: Women Stage 2, Glaesser 7th

Posted by Editoress on 05/3/12
 

Exergy TWENTY12's report after Stage 2

We knew today was going to be an opportunity for teams to try and isolate Kristin to take yellow. The pace was fast for most of the day.

After the first set of climbs there was a split of about 20 riders including the race leader, Kristin Armstrong and the  top GC contenders as well as Exergy TWENTY12’s Best Young Rider jersey Tayler Willes and Andrea Dvorak.

The attacks were relentless, Tayler and Andrea covered as much as possible to keep Armstrong rested. Finally a break of two stuck for a while and Tayler and Andrea controlled the break to a manageable distance with Kristin sitting comfortably.  When the break was caught, the attacks increased with Kristin covering moves herself.

A group of five riders had a slight advantage heading into the final steep rollers. Kristin set a nice pace to keep from being attacked, she looked around and the group had dwindled and Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Janelle Holcombe was left. With a few Km's to do, the two riders took it to the line with Kristin out sprinting Holcomb for a repeat win of Thursday.

"The racing in today's stage was very aggressive, it was a really hard day with NOW and Novartis for MS and Optum p/b Kelly Benefits being very active" said Wiles "Despite being outnumbered in the front group,  the team dug really deep to help keep the leaders jersey and in the end Kristin took the win!  It is easy to suffer for a teammate like Kristin Armstrong because she always pulls through, her finish in today's stage as well as yesterday's was pretty incredible.  I was really happy I could do my part to help the team and also keep the white jersey!

Jerseys

Up Friday is one of the toughest time trials in the U.S

Results from the second stage of the Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico