Temperatures and Competition Heat Up on Stage 3 of the Mavic Haute Route Rockies
Following a chilly finish to Stage 2, Mavic Haute Route Rockies riders were treated to a warm and sunny day for Stage 3
Starting from Winter Park Resort, the peloton headed down into town and then out onto scenic County Road 5 before swinging through Granby and Kremmling. Past Kremmling, riders headed west on Trough Road, a classic Colorado scenic byway with views of the Blue River, the Colorado River and beautiful mountain peaks and valleys. Coming out on Route 9 at State Bridge, Stage 3 tackled the formidable Wolcott Climb, a climb that was featured in the USA Pro Challenge, as their final timed segment of the day. After the race for the summit, riders cooled down and rolled to the finish line in Avon.
Heading into the individual time trial stage tomorrow, Canadian Lyne Bessette holds the lead over the rest of the women’s field. Nina Donohue is currently in second place overall in the women’s race, followed by Jennifer Schwarz. In the men’s race, Russell Finsterwald widened his lead to 1:53 over fellow professional mountain biker Ryan Petry. Professional cyclocross racer Jamey Driscoll is holding on to third place overall, 2:55 behind Finsterwald.
Link to results: https://my5.raceresult.com/100393
Riders Reactions
Richard Mull - Sun Valley, Idaho
About Richard: Just 10 days ago, Richard won a silver medal in the Men’s 65-69 category at the 2018 Master’s Road Race National Championships. This is his second Haute Route.
About the ride: I did Rockies last year. I’m a climber and I’m between Master’s National Championships and Master’s World Championships in Italy, so whenever I do this ride, the rest of my season I’m running on rocket fuel. It really gives an amazing boost for my endurance mid season. Plus, it’s fun! It’s continuously beautiful, and there are so many roads off the highways. That’s what distinguishes it for me. You can ride forever on roads that aren’t heavily trafficked.
Matt Cooke – Boulder, CO
About Matt: Former professional road cyclist who won the KOM jersey in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge. This is his first Haute Route.
About the ride: "I think the Haute Route is an advertisement for the state of Colorado. Nobody sees these roads. I've lived here for 10 years and raced the USA Pro Challenge and I still haven't seen some of these places before. Well done on picking the routes."
Lyne Bessette - Quebec, Canada
About Lyne: Lyne is one of Canada’s most decorated cyclists. She raced 11 years from 1995 until 2006 and is a national champion in road racing and time trial. Following her pro career, she also raced MTB and cyclo-cross and went on to compete as an accomplished pilot for para-cyclist Robbie Weldon. Together they won gold medals at the 2010 UCI World Para-cycling Championships and 2012 Summer Paralympics Women's road race B. This is her third Haute Route.
About the ride: "I think the support makes this week exceptional. Everyone is enjoying their day because it's not just a race from the start to the finish. We have time to stop at the feed zones and talk. Plus the mountains and the views are amazing. I'd like to get more people from Quebec and Canada to come ride an Haute Route event in the US."
