Team Type 1’s Powers Climbs To Third Overall

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort – Team Type 1 women’s Team Director Jack Seehafer told Alison Powers the climb to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort suited her. But Powers said she wasn’t so convinced.

"After the climb two days ago and how poorly I did in the time trial (third) Thursday, I didn’t have much confidence,” Powers said. “It’s amazing how fast you can lose your self-confidence.”

But those doubts were swept away on the ascent to the finish of the 71-mile (114 km) race when Powers found herself in the final selection. By the time the race reached the parking lot of the ski resort, only race leader Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders) was up ahead and Powers found herself sprinting against Amber Rais (Team TIBCO) for second place.

"The final climb was perfect for me," Powers said. "It was not very steep, with a gentle grade, and those are the ones where I can do the best. What I didn’t realize was that we would ride all the way around the parking lot. I was getting quite tired at that point, so Amber was able to sit on and then sprint around me.”

The third-place finish was Powers' second straight of the six-day race and moved her into third place overall, one minute and 39 seconds behind Stevens. Rais is second overall, 18 seconds behind Stevens.

Only Saturday’s hour-long criterium and Sunday’s 52-mile (84 km) Awbrey Butte Circuit Race remain in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) event. Powers aims to earn her sixth podium finish at an NRC event this season. She finished third at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, runner-up at the SRAM Tour of the Gila, first at the Joe Martin Stage Race, third at the Nature Valley Grand Prix and runner-up at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

Powers is the NRC women's individual points leader and Team Type 1 is No. 1 in the team competition. Powers is also the leader in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series.

Stage 4 Results - Women
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Webcor Builders
2. Amber Rais (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Alison Powers (USA) Team Type 1

General Classification After Stage 4 - Women
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Webcor Builders
2. Amber Rais (USA) Team TIBCO
3. Alison Powers (USA) Team Type 1
4. Julie Beveridge (USA) Team TIBCO
5. Cath Cheatley (USA) Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light
6. Katharine Carroll (USA) Team TIBCO
7. Chrissy Ruiter (USA) ValueAct Capital Cycling Team
8. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Lip Smacker
9. Alison Starnes (USA) Team TIBCO
10. Meredith Miller (USA) Team TIBCO

Photo: Courtesy Brian Hodes, VeloImages