Race leader ousted in final stage of the Tour of the Gila

Sunday’s final stage of the Tour of the Gila led to a shake up in the men’s general classification. After leading the race since Stage 1, Janier Acevedo (Jamis-Hagens Berman) cracked because of the day’s three major climbs. Beginning in Silver City, N.M., Stage 5 resembled Stage 2 only in reverse with an out and back section added with the toughest climbs of the race. United Healthcare’s Phil Deignan proved to be the strongest GC threat of the day as he bided his time and ultimately won the overall race by the day’s end. Acevedo was forced to fend for himself earlier than expected. His teammates were unable to overcome the fatigue of a week spent on the front of the race. With 20 km remaining, Phil Gaimon (Bissell) attacked, which created the final selection. Deignan, Francisco Mancebo (5hr Energy/Kenda) and Matt Cooke (Champion System-Stan’s No Tubes) followed the move. Gaimon held a gap over the final selection of riders until the final 500 meters of the race. Mancebo’s “never say die” style of racing proved unbeatable on Sunday. Mancebo pulled back Gaimon, who was unresponsive in the finale. Mancebo took the stage win, Cooke finished second while Diegnan held on for third place and the final overall victory. After Gaimon’s incredible solo effort, he  finished fourth.

The top Canadian finisher was Adam De Vos (Trek Red Truck Racing) in 33rd, more than 10 minutes behind the day’s winner. Canada was also well represented by Antoine Duchesne (Bontrager Cycling) and March Cooper (Optum powered by Kelly Benefits Strategies) in the stage’s early breakaway. The two finished 57th and 58th respectively after an impressive effort in the early move.

In the women’s race, Mara Abbott (Exergy Twenty16), the race leader, won the final stage ahead of Claudia Häusler (Team Tibco to the Top) and Janel Holcomb (Optum powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies). Joëlle Numainville (Optum powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies) was Canada’s top finisher in fifth, slightly more than two minutes behind. Lex Albrecht (Now and Novartis for MS) finished in 12th on the final stage. In the final general classification in women’s field, Lex Albrecht managed to squeeze into the top 10, finishing an impressive ninth overall.

The National Racing Calendar’s next stop is in roughly four weeks on June 2 in Philadelphia.