Rally Cycling dominated stage one of the Tour of the Gila with Matteo Dal-Cin powering away on a small climb with two kilometers remaining to win the stage by six seconds. Behind Dal-Cin, Rally Cycling stacked the top ten with Colin Joyce finishing in third, Rob Britton fourth, Adam De Vos fifth, Evan Huffman seventh and Sepp Kuss eighth. The win earns Dal-Cin the leader’s red jersey as well as the green jersey as the leader of the points competition. The team also sits atop the Team Classification.
“I felt excellent today,” said Dal-Cin. “I was sitting close to the front, and when a move that Sepp covered came back, I felt good and took a flyer. We had four or five guys right up there so when I went, they sat up, and I got a pretty healthy gap straight away. I took a look back and could see our guys all over the front of the peloton, so I just went for it!”
Stage one of the Tour of the Gila had a much different feel this year as the iconic finishing climb to Mogollon was cut due to flood-damaged roads. The revised route required a change in strategy and provided an opportunity for breakaways and sprinters. A breakaway of three riders seized the chance and set the pace for most of the day before being reeled in by the efforts of Danny Pate and Eric Young. As the finish line approached, Dal-Cin launched his stinging attack at the 2k to go marker. Despite the peloton giving frantic chase, Dal-Cin was able to raise his arms in victory. Rally Cycling will look to defend the overall lead the rest of the week with the major general classification battles likely to come in the stage three time trial and Sunday’s Gila Monster Road Race.
“The guys rode well all day,” said Team Director Pat McCarty. “I don’t think it could have gone much better for the team. Matteo was an absolute beast, and attacked over the top of the climb with two kilometers to go. We had several guys at the front of the peloton to mark any moves and in the end, we put six guys in the top ten. There are still four tough stages ahead, but it’s nice to start off with a strong showing.”
In the women’s race, Sara Bergen finished in third, continuing her long streak of podium placings that stretches all the way back to the Tucson Bicycle Classic. In addition to a podium finish, stage one of the Tour of the Gila saw the return of Allison Beveridge to road racing for the first time in two years after a difficult post-Olympics surgery. Beveridge had an immediate impact on the peloton, positioning the team well before the crucial moments of the race and assisting Amy Benner, Caitlin Laroche and Emma White in marshaling Bergen to the front during the closing kilometers. The women of Rally Cycling will remain on the hunt for stage wins and to propel Bergen onto the top step of the final podium.
“I am incredibly proud of the result today and so very proud of the teamwork that put me on the podium,” said Bergen. “Personally I am pleased with how I am feeling at altitude, especially that I had some sprint power after that finishing climb. I am feeling strong and excited for tomorrow’s stage.”
Stage two will be the traditional out and back loop beginning and ending in Ft. Bayard. The stage features some early climbing over the category 1 Pinos Altos ascent before dropping down to level terrain mid-stage and finally stair-stepping back to the finish. Young who served as a workhorse for the team today may get an opportunity at the finish, where he’s won twice before.
Tour of Gila Stage 1 | Men
1. Matteo Dal-Cin (Rally Cycling)
2. Daniel Jaramillo (UnitedHealthcare)
3. Colin Joyce (Rally Cycling)
4. Rob Britton (Rally Cycling)
5. Adam de Vos (Rally Cycling)
6. Travis McCabe (UnitedHealthcare)
7. Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling)
8. Sepp Kuss (Rally Cycling)
9. Jose Alfredo Aguirre Infante (Canel’s Specialized)
10. Bayron Patricio Guama De La Cruz (Team Ecuador)
Tour of Gila Stage 1 | Women
1. Katherine Hall (UnitedHealthcare)
2. Ruth Winder (UnitedHealthcare)
3. Sara Bergen (Rally Cycling)
4. Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank)
5. Tayler Wiles (UnitedHealthcare)
6. Krista Doebel-Hickok (Cylance Pro Cycling)
7. Leah Thomas (Sho-Air Twenty20)
8. Lindsay Bayer (Hagens Berman Supermint)
9. Julie Emmerman (Amy D Foundation)
10. Scotti Lechuga (Hagens Berman Supermint
