Duluth Classic Stage Race Day 3 & 4

Day 3 – 2nd SISU Podium – 3rd place
Stage 3 was an amateur version of a mountain top finish. The race was scheduled for 49 miles with 9 climbs, 5 of them being significant. The finish line was at the top of a 1 k 10% climb. It started as a controlled rollout at the bottom of the big climb and the official made sure everyone was together before releasing the go. Our team goal was to place 3-4 guys over the top of the climb the 3rd time through so that we could control the peleton there on after. The first lap was pretty uneventful as everyone got use to the course and the pace was about 25 mph. I think everyone knew that the peleton was going to split on the first climb and that’s exactly what happened. Even though the first climb was at a slower pace the climb broke the group in half. SISU had 4 in the group on the first climb, Tyler, Jesse, Tom, & Tim. That wouldn’t last long as just at the bottom of the descent Tom got a gash in his tire which just about ended his day. The pace picked up a bit with every lap as the lead group knew we were dropping people and didn’t want to give them the opportunity to bridge the gap. We approached the 3rd climb with about 30 people in the lead group and KOM points on the line. We reached the base of the climb and no one made a real effort to gap but the pace had been increased from the prior climb. Jesse & Tyler positioned themselves in the middle of the group to make sure that if an attack happened we wouldn't be left out. About half way up the hill Tyler decided to go for the KOM points. The tempo picked up and 1 man followed. Just as the grade kicks up to 10% Tyler stood to make an attack. He held to lead until 50 meters left and was passed at the line and took 2nd place points for the first KOM. The group was brought back together on the descent and we all realized that the group was now down to about 20 riders. Our goal was almost met as we had Tyler and Jesse still in the lead group with Tim just missing a wheel and dropping of the back ever so slightly. The pace was pounded again in attempt to keep the dropped riders off the back. The 4th climb approached and Jesse and Tyler played this one smart sitting in the middle of the pack and just answering anything that was presented to save energy for the 5th and final climb. It was a huge boost of confidence for both Jesse and Tyler to have each other in the climb to push up to the top. That climb reduced the group to 10 riders and the final laps pace stayed high. We approached the final climb and Jesse sat in the middle and Tyler sat in the back trying to bank every bit of energy to put forth for the finish. The climb started modestly as you could tell everyone was nervous to make the first move. About ¼ way up the climb the pedals were being pounded an at ½ way point 2 riders really pushed the pace. Jesse responded and Tyler took his wheel. The two attackers were making a gap slowly and both SISU riders went for the answer. At that point Jesse pulled back and encouraged Tyler to attack. Tyler attacked in efforts to bring in the front two but was unsuccessful but was successful at gapping the rest of the field for a 3rd place finish. Jesse finished out a strong climb and kept 5th position.

My apologies, but I do not have a story for the rest of the riders. I know that Tim, Danny, and Glen were all split up and worked with other riders the rest of the way. Tom’s day ended when his chain broke. The judge informed him that he could fix it and would have to finish to race the next day. He let the filed purposely lap him and was allowed to take an estimated time for his final lap. Results: Tyler, 3rd in 2:03.47; Jesse, 5th in 2:03.47; Tim, 27th in 2:10.10; Danny, 38th in 2:12.30, Glen, 48th in 2:24.26; Tom, 56th in 2:51.19.

Day 4 – 3rd SISU Podium – 3rd Place
The final day of competition was a .7 mile criterium course. It consisted of a fast down hill with a right hand turn leading into a straight stretch that bended back to a climb which was about 150m long at 8% with the finish about 200m from the climb. The race was scheduled for 35 minutes which turned out to be approximately 20 laps. All SISU riders represented the field at some point in the race. For the most part Tim, Tom, Jesse, & Tyler kept themselves in position to control the field. Tom and Tyler were able to take two merchandise sprints in the middle of the race. About 10 laps in Tom once again had mechanical problems and rejoined the race 2 laps later. Like most criteriums the field went back in forth with the leaders but unfortunately let a 2 man attack get away so it came down to the last 3 laps for the rest of the field to battle for 3rd place. The pace picked up and our main goal was to protect Jesse’s 10 second lead for the 5th spot in the GC. With 1 lap left Tom was in position to protect that for Jesse and sacrificed himself all the way to the hill to make sure Jesse had a good finish. Because of Tom’s sacrifice it set up Jesse, Tyler, and Tim to make a jump at another podium. The hill approached and Tyler and Tim attacked, Tim got cut off and Tyler was able to gap the field enough for a 3rd place finish. Most importantly Jesse attacked with Tyler and was able to come in right behind for a 4th place finish. Results: Tyler, 3rd place; Jesse, 4th place, Tim, 8th place; Tom, 19th place; Danny, 28th place; Glen, 39th place.

Overall
SISU Cycles had a remarkable weekend and were more than happy with the progress we have made in little time. We were able to take home a top 5 GC, 3 podium finishes, and a team full of hard workers.

For full results from the Duluth Classic Stage Race, look HERE.