Rutas Stage 2 — Beyer Takes 2nd, Paco 5th

February 22, 2012

Today began with a long transfer to the start. Rumors started circling that the bus transporting the riders had broken down, but those reports were false. Relief all around as the riders appeared 15 minutes before the start time. Uruguayan time is a bit more tranquillo than the time zone I’m used to.

The action would be very aggressive again today with 50km covered in the first hour. The pattern mimicked yesterday as 50 riders would survive the crosswinds. Ironically after enjoying the first few minutes of respite during this race, things would turn very hectic. Chad Beyer dropped back to the car with a bent derailleur hanger. We decided to stop and attempt a bike swap, but while we attempted to bridge up to the peloton with the new Pinarello, much to our dismay we saw Teammate and race leader Mike Olheiser stopped with the ever attentive Tommy Nankervis; a flat tire at the worst possible time. To say the local teams took advantage of the race leader’s misfortune would be a gross understatement. The race up front exploded, while Cesar did a fantastic job of pacing his leader through the various dropped groups. Once back in the shrinking lead pack and with Mike tired from the vigorous chase, we changed tack and started reversing the aggression. Paco and Chad (who was still was riding his damaged bike) forced a 5 rider selection. The chase to the line was dramatic as the South American teams realized their situation and fought hard to limit the damage.

Chad would narrowly miss the stage win at day’s end, with the local winner getting a home continent call with his wandering line to the finish. Paco takes 5^th on the stage while Mike and Cesar would trail behind in the first chase group at 24 seconds. On GC, stage winner Jorge Soto would take the race lead with his stage win. Pintos of the Largo team trails by 3 seconds while Presa of Santa Lucia sits third at 5 seconds. Our Competitive Cyclist team now sits 4^th, 5^th and 6^th with Chad sitting 7 seconds back, Paco 10 and Mike 16. Mike retains his KOM jersey while Chad wears orange of best ‘revelation’ rider.

Look for more intense action tomorrow.