The Valley dried out from Thursday’s day-long showers just in time for Friday’s Valley of the Sun Stage 1 Time Trial in and around Phoenix.
Riders tinkered with aerodynamic equipment before shooting off down the start ramp and leaving everything out on the course.
Nearly 630 registered for the three-day long stage race, which consists of a time trial, road race and a crit.
Pro races
Allie Dragoo (Sho-Air TWENTY20) gives a final push toward the line.
Allie Dragoo (Sho-Air TWENTY20) set the standard with a time of 31:22 and a lead of 19 seconds, ahead of her own teammate, Jasmine Duehring, giving the team a small buffer going into the road race. Breathing down their necks, though, is Whitney Allison (Hagens Berman | Supermint), just 25 seconds back from Dragoo.
Those two teams are the largest in the 58-rider women’s field, and they likely will control the road race Saturday.
Dragoo, who has been victorious at the VOS TT in the past, said she woke up and felt great Friday morning.
“I chose to believe in myself and believe in the hard training I used to prepare for this TT,” Dragoo said. “I kept myself very steady at the start because blowing up early would make for a miserable ride. I rode hard and was in prayer the whole time.”
Dragoo said she and her team plan to race smart and are prepared for the road race.
“I believe in my teammates, and I believe they will help me keep the jersey for our team,” Dragoo said.
In the Pro Men’s race, Cory Lockwood (Semper Porro) took the top step of the podium with a time of 27:57, a full 37 seconds ahead of Stephen Vogel (Team Mike’s Bikes p/b Equator Co) and 44 seconds ahead of Matt Zimmer (Project Echelon Racing).
Cat 5 races
Ian Mulligan (Carlos O’Brien’s Racing) crossed the line with the best time for the Cat 5 Men’s race. Reo Spearin (Colavita Las Vegas) took the win for the Cat 5 Women’s field.
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