Labor day weekend in Steamboat Springs is now a place you want to be every year if you race the road, or just enjoy a great place and scene with a true test of your cycling soul. Four very tough stages encompass the Steamboat Springs Stage Race. In just it's second year, 350 racers came to the mountain town and buried themselves for the cause. In the end, with the criterium on the final day, many moves were forced by riders looking to move up in the overall GC, or looking for the stage win, and the racing was fierce, and the racing was exceptional, and the setting was perfect. In the end, it was Peter Stetina and Jeannie Longo taking the men's and women's titles respectively.
Longo, in the white kit, and at age 51, patiently awaits to launch her perfectly timed attack on the final lap of the crit to take a convincing win...and the overall title. The women's pro race was VERY exciting, with some big time GC changes taking place on the last day.
All of these photos are from Thomas Maddox
Below is a list of Jeannie Longo's career wins, she has 57 National French titles, and over 100 combined National and World titles to her credit. Mrs. Longo won the women's pro race this weekend in Steamboat and I still can not believe I had the opportunity to briefly interview her after her performance, I'm still giddy and smiling from the experience of being in her presence and speaking with her. I think all of Steamboat will agree she helped legitimize this event. Here is a brief resume of her accomplishments in an unmatched career
Three editions of the women’s Tour de France
Gold and silver medals in Olympic Road race
Silver and bronze in Olympic time trial
Five world road race championship titles
Four world time trial championships titles
Four track world championship titles (pursuit and points races), as well as three silvers and three bronze medals.
Silver medal in 1993 UCI world mountain bike championship
15 French road race titles
8 French time trial titles
2000 world hour record
Two Women’s Challenge titles
Don't be fooled by Jeannie's small stature, she is tenacious and will attack viciously at the precise and perfectly timed moment, and remind you of just who she is......we all saw it, we were all amazed by it.
Baker early in the Men's open race, "kicking the hornets nest"...
This picture does not tell a skosh of the day's story in the 45+ open race. In one of the most amazing finishes ever. Wayne Watson stands on the top of the podium, Jimi Gibson stands third. Gibson started this day in the crit with a 90 second lead over Watson in the 45+ overall for the stage race (GC). Gibson was literally controlling everything in this race, at the front 80% of the time, with just ten minutes of racing left, when the unthinkable took place. The main field came by the the start/finish line and Gibson was not present, no biggie, he still had 90 seconds. However, Gibson had cramped up severely on the back straight of the course and was unable to ride. He lost two laps before he was able to work it out and get back on the bike, and this cost him the GC title. To Gibson's credit, he remained candid and upbeat, and I must say showed some incredibly good sportsmanship and character by laughing the experience off, at least in public. An incredible race and unfortunate turn of events. Watson jumped with a HUGE attack as they came through with one to go, winning the stage and the GC title...
Cuttin up with J Dubbs after his great day in the break....
I like this pic...
Great Pictures!
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