Teams with some of the largest contingents of riders at the Tucson Bicycle Classic gained early success in the pro fields at the Stage 1 Prologue on Friday.
Hagens Berman | Supermint and Floyd’s Pro Cycling will hope to keep the leaders’ jerseys on their backs as they head into Saturday’s road race and Sunday’s circuit race.
Pro fields
Lindsay Goldman (Hagens Berman | Supermint) took her first TBC win, though her team has had success at the stage race in the past. She set the pace at 8 minutes and 37 seconds, just two seconds ahead of Sho-Air TWENTY20’s Jennifer Leubke and five seconds ahead of Leubke’s teammate, Emma Grant.
“It was a great feeling to win today – I’ve been working on my time trialing and trying to improve, so it’s nice to see that effort pay off,” Goldman said.
She attributed success to her teammates, director, husband, coach and bike fitter for their wisdom and support after her pregnancy just over a year ago.
“I would not be here racing without this incredible crew supporting me, pushing me to keep going, and teaching me how to be a stronger, smarter, faster racer,” Goldman said.
She said her team plans to race hard Saturday and play the cards they have – utilizing sprinter Harriet Owen and road captain Liza Rachetto.
On the men’s side, Serghei Tvetcov (Floyd’s Pro Cycling) blazed through the 3.2-mile prologue in 7 minutes and 16 seconds and took a 4.5-second lead on Adam Roberge (Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling) with Tvetcov’s teammate, Nickolas Zukowsky, nine seconds back in third.
“It feels great to be apart of a great team, and Serghei confirms his world class attributes in the time trial discipline,” said Gord Fraser, team director of Floyd’s Pro Cycling. “Amazing he stepped over his Van Dessel machine for the first time earlier that day. We look to move up our other riders throughout the weekend.”
Cat 5
Kate Lemke (Tolero Racing) clocked 10:10 and managed to get the victory and a three second lead for Women’s Cat 5. Jason Boslaugh (unattached) crossed the line at 9:08 for the win in the Men’s Cat 5 field.
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