Cesar Grajales wins 3rd stage and Mancebo takes overall lead in 2011 Cascade Classic Stage Race
RealCyclists.com team’s Cesar Grajales secured his third consecutive stage victory in the third stage of 2011 Cascade Classic Stage Race on Friday, July 22. Francisco Mancebo maintained his overall leader’s jersey.
The race started in Summit High School and Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. The 38-year-old Colombian cyclist took a total of 3 hours, 4 minutes and 21 seconds to cover the distance of distance of the stage.
After winning the stage, Grajales told the media, "It is a special day today, my wife’s birthday, so I want to dedicate this win to her, Thanks to my teammates who did an awesome job today and Paco because he set me up for the win."
Chris Baldwin of Bissell pro cycling was the runner-up with 1 second behind Grajales and race leader, Mancebo, was in the third place with a difference of 3 seconds.
Phil Gaimon (Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrin) was in good form and tried to gain a lead, but failed and grabbed the seventh place with a difference of 6 seconds, ahead of Chase Pinkham and Michael Olheiser.
With a few kilometers to go, a group of seven cyclists made their first breakaway, including Ben Day, Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell), Jacob Rathe and Alex Howes (Chipotle Development), Jason Donald, George Bennett (Trek-Livestrong) and Liam Holohan (Raleigh).
A chase group of five cyclists was also formed, including Rob Britton, Michael Creed, Roman Van uden, Alistar Radcliff and Greg Craddock. Both the groups were in good form and added pressure on Francisco Mancebo, while the team showed their good efforts
and increased the gap in the top of the climb.
The two teams, including Bissell Chipotle Development and Kelly benefit Strategies-Optumhealth were in aggressive form. Although the two cyclists, Maxwell Durtschi and Andrea Diaz, worked together and joined the breakaway riders and gained a lead of
roughly 30 seconds.
Durtschi took the first sprint and Andrea continued to ride for solo climb, while Mancebo increased his pace and caught him back. Mancebo split from the group of seven cyclists, while Vennell launched the attack and followed Baldwin. However, Grajales
maintained his pace and crossed the finish line and took the mountain title ahead of Baldwin.
Chris Baldwin said, "We are happy with our overall performance. I was blown away when Cesar bridged across. Not that I am that fast, but I was going fast, so I was surprised that he was able to do it that quickly. He is in good form and kudos to him."
Mancebo took the overall lead with a timing of 6 hours, 22 minutes and 59 seconds. Grajales was the runner-up with 40 seconds and Vennell was in the third spot with 54 seconds behind Mancebo.
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