Archive for Thursday, September 2, 2010
Photo by John F. Russell
A cyclist rides along Routt County Road 42 during the time trial on the first day of the Steamboat Springs Stage Race in 2009. The second annual race begins Friday and continues through Monday.
Big names dot Steamboat Springs Stage Race
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Steamboat Springs The second annual Steamboat Springs Stage Race registration ended early Wednesday with more racers than the inaugural event, including multiple high-level racers.
Race promoter Corey Piscopo said Wednesday that 350 riders had registered for the four-day stage event that begins Friday and ends Monday.
Last year, the event featured 302 riders.
“The goal wasn’t necessarily to have an overwhelming turnout,” Piscopo said. “The race is still relatively young. The 350 is perfect.”
Garmin-Transitions team members Timmy Duggan and Peter Stetina will compete, as will Mafia Racing’s Jake Wells.
Other notable riders include Chris Baldwin, of the UnitedHealthcare-Maxxis team, and Julian Kyer, of the Trek-Livestrong team. Taylor Fletcher and Brett Denney, of the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team, also will compete.
Maybe the biggest coup, however, was the entrance of Olympic gold medalist and 13-time World Champion Jeannie Longo.
Longo is competing with her husband and coach, Patrice Ciprelli.
“I think the reputation of the race last year helped us,” Piscopo said. “The word was spread between cyclists. At the same time, we’re still small in a national sense. To draw national-level riders in your second year is pretty good.”
The race begins Friday with the Aspire Individual Time Trial. It will begin past Brooklyn and head south on River Road to Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area before turning back. Riders then will head up Mount Werner Road and finish at Knoll Parking Lot.
Saturday’s event will be a circuit race at Marabou Ranch. Sunday is a road race that goes varying distances, depending on race category, along Routt County Roads 33 and 27, with Monday’s finale being a criterium race that runs counter-clockwise on Oak, Pine, Fourth and Eighth streets in downtown Steamboat.
Scott Contracting, in town prepping for roadwork, will provide road signage, safety and traffic cones for the race.
Piscopo said they still are looking for volunteers for the race. Those interested can go to www.bikesteamboat.com or attend a volunteer meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at Moots.
“But everything is on target,” Piscopo said. “It’s shaping up to be a really successful year.”
Steamboat Springs Stage Race at a glance
■ Friday: Aspire Individual Time Trial
Details: Race will start at 1:30 p.m. with rider intervals every 30 seconds. The race starts past the Brooklyn neighborhood and travels three miles south on River Road. Racers turn around at Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, return on River Road, turn right on Mount Werner Road and finish at Knoll Parking Lot.
Road details: The beginning part of River Road to Tree Haus will be closed. There also could be delays on Mount Werner. The right-hand stretch of road will be coned-off for riders.
■ Saturday: Marabou Ranch Circuit Race
Details: The race is 4.5 miles per lap, going counter-clockwise through Marabou Ranch and east on Routt County Road 42. The first group will begin at 8 a.m. with the last divisions set for 3:15 p.m.
Road details: Parts of C.R. 42 could experience delays.
■ Sunday: Moots Road Race
Details: The 70-mile race will start with heats at 8 a.m. with the 55-mile heats to begin at noon. All racers begin on a one-mile stretch of dirt road on Routt County Road 33A. Riders then turn right on C.R. 33. The 70-mile course follows C.R. 33 to Routt County Road 27 and continues toward Hayden. Riders then return on C.R. 27 toward Oak Creek before turning around and returning to C.R. 33 back toward the finish. The 55-mile ride goes out C.R. 33 and on to C.R. 27 toward Hayden. Riders return on the same route.
Road details: There will be minor delays on Routt County Roads 33 and 27.
■ Monday: Ski & Bike Kare Criterium
Details: The 0.8-mile loop runs counter-clockwise on Oak, Pine, Fourth and Eighth streets. Race divisions begin at 7:30 a.m. The last group begins at 2:40 p.m.
Road details: Oak and Pine streets between Fourth and Eighth streets will be closed during this time, including for parking on those stretches.


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