With this race being in our back yard, sort of speaking. The 23rd annual SRAM Tour of the Gila is considered one of the hardest Pro 1 stage races in the US. The terrain, switch back climbs, dangerous winding descents, high altitude, cold mornings, hot days and 5 intense days of racing make this race just a ”Gila Monster” to finish. WIth the riders being told just 4 weeks prior the race was cancelled. SRAM bicycle parts stepped in to keep this race running. Even better, Levi had announced he would be attending. Then the announcement came, Lance Armstrong would be here. To have a race go from bust, to the biggest thing Silver City New Mexico has ever seen, is awesome.
The field limit had been increased from the original 130 to 175 riders. 174 racers started the stage 1, 94.1 to Mogollon. The pace was fast and everyone knew that most riders were there to prove they could climb with the best in the world. Levi won stage 1 with a quick pace up the climb, he made a showing on the bike that he was here to put the hammer down. Our team was able to finish well and one rider placed 42nd.
Stage 2, 80 miles starts in Ft Bayard, NM and finishes in the same location. This stage is rolling hills for the first few miles and then turns to venture up a Category 2 climb for 12 miles. This normally shatters the field at the start of the race. At the top of the climb I noticed there was no field. Just groups of riders coming by consistantly. The descent is trecherous. Most lose alot of time or make time up. No guard rails. If you go off the road, it usully means you fly into a tree and hope someone saw you to tell the medics. By the time I got to the final climb for the feed zone. A breakaway passed by, then the main field. I saw Emiliano hanging in the group up the climb. Then another group came by of about 30 riders. Mostly amateurs and a few pros. Our team made it to the finish well within the time cut.
Stage 3, The Tyrone Mine Time Trial. Levi set a new course record of 32:59. Beating the old record by 15 seconds. All riders there were putting up their best times ever. Having the hype of Lance there, each rider raised their performance to a new level.
Stage 4, Silver City Criterium,
WOW, approximately 15,000 people surrounded the course completely. A small town that normally only has 1,000 spectators, has been surrounded by Lance fans everywhere. The pace was fast and riders being dropped about every other lap from a super fast pace.
Stage 5 the Gila Monster, 105 miles
The start line only had 145 riders at it. By the end of the day, it would show the men from the boys. The race started out on the rolling hills leaving town. The pace once again was super fast. A crash happened and the field spread apart quickly. Several riders were down and teams scrambled to attend to them. As the race continued through the hills and into the mountains, the descents were getting stepper and faster. Then over the race radio, “all caravan vehicles to use the shoulder only, rider down”, as we proceeded by the accident, medics were on the seen and taking care of the single rider. The pace of the race did not let up. Riders were coming off the back as the race headed into the first real climb. Once over the top and down the long descent. Riders were slowly coming back into the group. Turning into the valley, we have only covered 25 miles and the riders are already tired and looking ahead to the Gila Monster. As we cruised through the valley, the tempo slowed and most were getting water or food for the team. At about the 45 mile mark the pace went straight up to 30mph again. Then again the red brake lights of everyone stopping. As I got out of the vehicle, I could see at it was a big crash with riders across the road. Each Director looking out for his riders. We had 3 down in this crash and my hands were full trying to get to each. Most were able to get up and chase to get back to the main field. One of our riders was being attended by Medical and our team van was behind to help him. I drove the team car back to the main field only to find the the main group had started the awesome Category 2 climb up to 7,400 ft. This is where the race would seperate into several groups. As we went over the top I noticed all riders were cautious. This famous descent has a huge history of dangerous crashes. With already having incidents behind them, most riders were descending at a slower pace. The group had come back together at the Cliff Dwelling parking lot turn around. Back up this Cat 1 climb, which most feel should be beyond category. Riders were setting any tempo they could just to finish this race. Once over the top, the field consisted of maybe 15 riders, the others were in groups of 5 - 7 just trying to finish. Down the descent and into the forest area for the last two climbs, the category 2 and cat 4 climb into Pinos Altos. As we got to the finish line, I heard that Lance and Levi had lost the stage to Phil Z. of Fly V Australia. They still remained first and second in the GC. Only 101 riders finished the stage and we had 4 of our 5 starters finish. This will be a week to remember for a life time.
In cycling events all year long all over the state of Florida. Garrett has attended as many Florida Cup races as possible. Several he has missed due to traveling to National Racing Calendar events (NRC) with the Team. His large lead early in the year has been deminishing slowly since he was not in attendance. He lost his first place ranking for only a few days. He returned to Florida to race the last two races. This last weekend he got the title back and there is only one race left and he plans to keep the title.
