Stage 2 of the Merco Credit Union Classic featured the Merced Time Trial, a 12 mile flat and rolling out and back course. The time trial, which is known as the race of truth, tells who the fastest rider is against the clock and suits a special type of rider that has speed, power, aerodynamics and the ability to suffer more than the competition.
In the Pro Men’s race, Ben Jacques-Maynes (Jamis-Hagen Berman) posted the fasted time in 24:36.76, followed by Chad HAGA in second (Optum Pro Cycling pb Kelly Benefit Strategies) in 24:41.31 and Tom Zirbel (Optum Pro Cycling pb Kelly Benefit Strategies) in 24:41.90.
In the Pro Women’s race, Evelyn Stevens (Specialized – lululemon) rode to a win with the fastet time in 26:21, followed by Allison Powers in second (NOW and Novartis for MS) in 26:35 and Alison Tetrick (Exergy Twenty 16) in 27:15.
Women’s winner Evelyn Stevens (Specialized – lululemon) said, “The Merco TT is a wonderful way to shake out the TT cobwebs from your legs, put to use all the practice and training from the winter and a great test of our super fast and spiffy aero equipment from Specialized and HED, plus it is a great excuse to wear our killer red booties from Lexxi Sports.”
She added, “Time trials never feel good, if they do, then you likely need to go faster. At the end of the day, we still have the yellow jersey, enjoyed some yummy ally bars and merced burritos. Thank goodness for March, as I write this, I am lying on my bed, comfortably back into the routine of a competing bike racer.”
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Photo © Frank Sarate / SoCalCycling.com
