By Kirsten Robbins in Glendora, California
The 9th annual San Dimas Stage Race's three day event is set to kick off on Friday March 28, 2008 where the North American men and women teams are certain to test their strength, skills and camaraderie before heading over to the prestigious Redlands Classic held the following weekend.
Events include a preliminary Glendora Chevrolet Mountain time trial, a twisty 3.8-mile scale up the beautiful and scenic Glendora mountain pass with elevation gains of 1375 feet.
Saturday holds stage two, that will present the riders with numerous grueling laps of a seven-mile circuit presented by the San Dimas Hospital, totaling fifty-six miles for the pro ½ women's field and eighty-four miles for the pro 1 men's field. Not only does the circuit cater to the climbers offering KOM sprints every other lap, but it also gives the sprinters their chance to shine in the hot spot sprints on each alternate lap.
If the race has not sorted itself out by Sunday, it just might in the Cannondale Incycle's finale criterium held in Old Town San Dimas. The six-corner speed way offers one shallow climb through the mid section on the course and an equally graded descent down toward the finish line.
An action packed pro 1 men's race is assured given the over flowing 140 riders registered. Riders expecting success include Cuban Luis Amaran (Colavita/Sutter Home), former US national time trial champion Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United), Ben Brooks (Team Type 1), Tyler Hamilton and Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing), as well as Trent Wilson (Jittery Joes).
On the women's side, Team High Road as sent a stacked roster to include US national champion Mara Abbott, who will have the opportunity to debut her climbing prowess in the preliminary mountain top time trial. Other promising riders include Leigh Goldstein (Value Act Capital), Kathleen Billington (Team Rock), Emilia Fahlin (High Road) and Gabriela Gonzalez-Farrat (Bicycle John's).
