Jason Sager (Team Jamis) flew in from Utah Friday morning to partake in the weekend's events after hearing from fellow pros who raced in the Maplelag UCI Spring Opener in 1997 that it was a venue to check out. Sager wasted no time in showing the Midwest fast guys he would be need to be taken seriously as he posted the winning time, one of only three riders to break the 10-minute barrier, with a time of 9:49.86.
Texas Roadhouse Pro Adam Bergman came in second and Maplelag time trial course record holder Brendan Moore (Trek-Co-Op), who set the winning time last year at 9:36, crossed third just hundredths of a second behind Bergman. Pat Lemieux (Texas Roadhouse) and Doug Swanson (Grandstay) rounded out the top five.
In the women's race, Sara Kylander-Johnson (Trek Co-Op) posted the surprising fast time followed by Jenna Rinehart (Specialized) who had set the course record last year. Rebecca Sauber (LCR/Egon) Corey Coogan-Cisek (Maplelag Resort/Paramount) and Jennifer Fisher (Rochester Velo) rounded out the top five. Post race riders were commented on "burning lungs" as temps in the mid 40s at start time were almost 50 degrees cooler than what racers have been accustomed to on most race weekends in the Midwest this summer.
No escaping the peloton on first day in the Alps for Pinarello-Q36.5 rider who looks to gain time from eighth place in GC with few opportunities remaining
