Pitel, Baldwin battle gusting winds to win Scenic Gorge Time Trial
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Paul Mach heads into the wind- Photo Heidi Swift
A raging headwind was the order of the day for Mt Hood Cycling Classics contenders today. Gusting at up to 35mph, the infamous Gorge gale was out in force, making an already challenging time-trial course (1975 feet of elevation gain) even more grueling. Chris Baldwin (OUCH) turned in the fastest time in the men’s pro field, snagging the top honors. Baldwin covered the 18.5 mile course in a blistering 42:44.67, managing to average 25.98 miles per hour, despite the relentless conditions.
“It was very gusty – they don’t call it the wind-surfing capital of the country because it’s calm. The biggest thing is not letting that stuff get in your head.” Baldwin reported, “It’s a very long, hard time trial and I’ve blown myself every other year here before the finish so I just really wanted to stay within myself. I feel like this was the best time trial I’ve ridden in years – maybe since the time trial at nationals when I got second to Zabriskie. I really felt like my old self.”
The win moved Baldwin from third to second on the GC, just 15 seconds off the pace of Bissell’s Paul Mach. Mach, who took second, finished the course just 3 seconds behind Baldwin. The performance turned more than a few heads, including Baldwin’s: “I’m really impressed that Paul Mach was just a matter of seconds behind me – he’s obviously a very talented up and coming rider.”
OUCH’s John Chodroff finished third, crossing the line 35 seconds down. The podium-worthy ride catapulted Chodroff from 29th to 5th in the general classification, giving OUCH two riders in the top five overall.
Chris Baldwin.Focus-Photo Heidi Swift
Morgan Schmitt was 1:17 off the pace, finishing 7th and dropping from 2nd to 3rd on the GC. With both Bissell and OUCH claiming two men in the top five, tomorrow’s 92 mile Wy’East Road Race will be critical.
“Tomorrow is going to be a showdown.” Baldwin told Cyclingnews, “I think we’re in a nice position not to have to do too much.”
With riders sitting in 1st, 3rd and 11th (Swindlehurst), all of whom can climb, Bissell has a handful of cards to play: “The biggest thing we have going for us right now is that Mach has shown how strong he is - especially after yesterday’s stage. As a team, everyone is looking at us.” Omer Kem reports, “We’re going to ride a hard enough to demoralize the field and then everyone who wants to win is going to have to ride away from Paul, Morgan, and Burke.”
Pitel edges Goldstein for the stage win, reclaims the leader’s jersey
Three days ago, no one at the Mt Hood Cycling Classic knew who Edwige Pitel was, where she came from, or why she was here. Today, the questions were answered.
Edwige Pitel and Leah Goldstein on the TT Podium - Photo Heidi Swift
The former French National Champion (TT, Road and Track) tore up the time-trial course today, beating last year’s winner and GC favorite Leah Goldstein (VAC) by five seconds to claim the top spot. Pitel covered the course in 50:05.01, averaging 22.16 miles per hour. The stage win put her back in the leader’s jersey with a scant 2 second lead over Goldstein going into tomorrow’s road race.
“It was tough.” Pitel told Cyclingnews, “You had the headwind and you got the feeling that you were not riding very fast. I was able to stay in my aero bars, but I was holding on very tight because my front wheel was taking much wind… In the downhill we did not get to rest before the next climbs.”
Goldstein also struggled with the conditions, unable to get in the zone: “Today was hard – I was not in the bars a lot today because I am not a huge daredevil – people were moving all over the place and I just couldn’t get into a rhythm so I felt really slow.”
Despite the meteorological challenge, Pitel enjoyed the course. “The scenery is very nice - today I didn’t look at it, but on Monday when I pre-rode it I found it very nice. I like the long uphills so it was something that I really enjoyed.”
Melissa McWhirter (Veloforma), was forced to relinquish the yellow leader’s jersey after finishing in 4th position, 2:18 off the pace. “I went as hard as I could – that’s all you can do. I left it all out there.” The result dropped her to 3rd on the GC at 2:06 behind Pitel and Goldstein, seemingly out of contention for the overall win (though don’t discredit the possibility of a hail mary).
Patricia Bailey (Wines of Washington) rounded out the podium with the 3rd fastest time, at 1:24 down.
With two seconds standing between Pitel and Goldstein heading into the Wy’East road race, the stage is set for an epic battle. Wy’East is a climber’s delight, with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain over 92 miles, suiting both riders strengths. Pitel will have her work cut out for her to defend against Goldstein and teammate Robin Farina, who has already shown her strength when the road turns uphill.
“It will be tough tomorrow and also in the crit because there are time bonuses and [Goldstein] has teammates. I guess that they will give me a hard time but that’s the way it is. I like hills so that’s a good thing… it’s easier to control the race when it’s hilly than when it’s flat.”
If Stage 1 is any indication, Pitel can expect a barrage of attacks from the ValueAct women. On the other hand, the women in blue might be smart just to sit, wait, and save their offensive for the final 10k. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out because, as of right now, they’re definitely not giving anything away.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.” Goldstein said with a smile. And that was it.
