Most riders know the time trial in Valley of the Sun often determines the winner, but in a few close races, everything can be lost in Sunday’s final stage – the crit.
In at least five races, the general classification time difference between first and second place is less than 20 seconds.
With an opportunity to get away in a break or to secure any of three time bonuses, it’s do-or-die time for many riders sitting in second and the final opportunity for leaders to secure a victory.
Time bonuses for the crit include 10 seconds for first, six seconds for second and four seconds for third.
Tight general classification (GC) races to watch:
- Junior Men 17-18: Brandon McNulty (LUX Development Team) has only a six-second gap on Clayton Stone (Superissimo), who won the road race today and jumped from fifth after the time trial to second.
- Men’s 3: Greg Kogut (Moment Cycles) leads Dalton Fayad (McDowell Mountain Cycles) by only seven seconds.
- Men’s 35+: Philip Tintsman (Spy Giant Ride p/b GQ6) leads the GC by only 13 seconds, ahead of Chris Demarchi (Monster Media Elite Masters). Karl Bordine (Spy Giant Ride p/b GQ6) and Lewis Elliot (Bicycle Ranch) are tied for third, both down only 21 seconds from the lead.
- Men’s 45+: Kirk Bausch (Surf City Cyclery/Sterling BMW) and Cale Reeder (Hammer/53×11) are separated by 14 seconds, with Bausch currently in the lead.
- Junior Men 13-14: Lance Araiza (TRU Cycling/Jax Bicycle Racing) is just ahead of Tanner Bohlender (Strada Racing) by 15 seconds.
Watch all these races and more Sunday around the Arizona state capitol.
Photo by Vickie Batchelder McNulty