Valley of the Sun Stage Race

The first big stage race on the Arizona racing calendar was this past weekend – the 20th Annual John Earley Memorial Valley of the Sun Stage Race. The event consisted of 3 stages spread out across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, starting with a 14.4 mile time trial, followed by a 94 mile road race and wrapping things up with a 55-minute criterium in downtown Phoenix. It was a huge event with 90 cyclists registered for the Cat 2 field, drawing riders from the surrounding region (California, Colorado, Utah, etc).

Stage 1 – Safeco Insurance, Parrish Agency Time Trial, Buckeye, AZ

The first stage was on the far west end of Phoenix. The course was fairly flat, out-and-back stretch of road with a wide shoulder and chipseal pavement. It’s slightly uphill on the outbound portion but with the unpredictable winds, pacing is always a question mark. With the recent success at the local time trials, the team expected to place several riders in the top 10-15 places and did just that with Justin Orkey and Brian Ellis placing 8^th and 9^th place respectively (the highest placed Arizona cyclists in the field).

Stage 2 – Jorden Bischoff & Hiser Road Race, Casa Grande, AZ

The second stage was a 94 mile road race consisting of 5.8 laps of a 16 mile course south of Phoenix near Casa Grande, AZ. The highlight of the course was a 2-3 mile climb with just under 500’ of elevation gain leading up to the finish. With 6 planned trips up the climb, moderate temperatures and strong winds, the road race was certainly no walk in the park. The TriSports Cycling / Eclipse Racing team rode near the front of the race the entire time was a factor in nearly every break. In the end, no break would stick and it ended up being a sprint finish for the stage. The entire team finished with the lead group and thus there were no changes in the overall General Classification.

Mike Radcliff (L) and Brian Ellis (R) cruising through the feed zone during the Valley of the Sun Road Race

Shawn Daly taking a much needed drink after driving the pace up the hill towards the feed zone.

Stage 3 – Landis Cyclery Centennial - TREK Criterium, Phoenix, AZ

The final stage was a criterium in downtown Phoenix. The course was new for this year, consisting of a flat and fast .9 mile loop with 8 turns. The TriSports Cycling / Eclipse Racing team placed themselves at the front of the race to start and were out in front pushing the pace early.  Despite a handful of attacks and break attempts, the group stayed together for the 55-minute duration and the team maintained their place in the General Classification with Justin finishing 8^th overall and Brian holding onto 9^th place.

Members of the TriSports Cycling / Eclipse Racing team in the staging area prior to the criterium. From L-R: Justin Orkney, Ben Lair, Mike Radcliff and Brian Ellis.

TriSports Cycling / Eclipse Racing racers on the streets of downtown Phoenix. Pictured are Andre McNulty (217), Justin Orkney (236) and Ben Lair (223).

Note – the road race stage was shortened by one lap due to a significant crash in the Men Pro/1 race. A car was let onto the course and as the group came around the car, the driver panicked and hit the brakes, causing the field to crash into the back of the car. The entire race was suspended while the injured riders were being treated.

Note 2 – At the end of the Men’s Cat 3 road race, TriSports cyclist Eric Preiss crashed in the final kilometers, resulting in a concussion and a broken hip.  Eric had surgery on Sunday night to place a pin in his hip and we would like to wish him (and all the other cyclists injured this weekend) a speedy recovery!

-Brian Ellis