Sutherland off to a strong start at Bisbee

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Rory Sutherland claimed victory in the uphill prologue time trial climb at La Vuelta de Bisbee to take the first yellow leader's jersey of the race.

The UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis rider completed the 1.8 mile course in 6:05, putting 14 seconds into Phil Zajicek (Fly V Australia) and 16 seconds into Maxim Jenkins (UnitedHealthcare). The riders climbing 468 feet through the Southern Arizona mining town of Bisbee.

Riding a 50-tooth front chainring the whole way, Sutherland said he was able to remain in his aero bars until the road reached its maximum gradient in the final 400 meters.

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Zajicek, who rode a 53-tooth chainring for the climb, used a 21 rear cog for the steepest portion at the end. He said the time trial was more a power climb than a climbers’ course.

“I was in my 54 ring the whole time,” said Jai Crawford, who placed fifth at 19 seconds. The Fly V Australia rider said he had a strong final 400 meters in the 19 and 21 cogs. “That last K was hard.”

The course was cut by one mile due to a washed out road, deleting the steepest portion of the climb.

Climbers like Zajicek and teammate Darren Lill, last year’s La Vuelta overall champion, said the longer, steeper climb would have better suited their strengths.

Lill said he La Vuelta marks his return to racing following a broken wrist this spring.

“I would prefer to go all the way to the top,” said Lill, who placed 11th at 31 seconds.

“The longer the better for me,” Zajicek said.

Paul Thomas of RideClean, posted a 6:52 to take top honors in La Vuelta’s “B” event for Masters athletes.

Riders faced unseasonably cold conditions as they competed, the mountains surrounding Bisbee receiving a dusting of snow on Friday morning.

La Vuelta continues Saturday morning with the 90-mile Sulphur Springs Road Race. The 7.2-mile Warren Time Trial is slated for Saturday afternoon.

Sunday morning brings La Vuelta’s queen stage, the 84-mile Tombstone Road Race that sees the riders face ascents of both sides of Mule Pass, a climb that tops out at 5,930 feet.