A clear and concise article by Jordan Cheyne, and posted by Eric Schlange at the ZWIFTInsider. Photo credit: Tour of the Gila
https://zwiftinsider.com/open-pro-elevate-conquers-tour-of-the-gila/
Category: Team
Historic Win at Tour of the Gila
Photo Credit: Casey B. Gibson
The Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling Team began the UCI 2.2 Tour of the Gila with high expectations. Coming off of 2nd overall at both the Tour of Taiwan and Joe Martin Stage Race, the team was poised to fight for the win.
The team was fully committed to setting up climbing sensation James Piccoli for a solo win atop Mogollon, stage 1. The mountain top finish awarded Piccoli both the Red Leaders Jersey as well as the Polka Dot KOM Jersey.
Stage 1 Podium: 1st James Piccoli; 2nd Oscar Sevilla; 3rd Eder Frayre
Stage 2 proved to be challenging from the gun with a sprint point line within the first 5 miles. The team diligently protected their leader against the threatening breakaways and kept each one in check until Floyd’s of Leadville setup for the lead-out and final sprint to the line. It was a big success for the team to protect and maintain both of the jersey’s within the stage.
The Stage 3 Individual Time Trial was one that the team had been targeting for the season. George Simpson would be the first of the squad to tackle the 16.5 mile course and he set the fastest time of the day, placing him in the hot seat until the final riders finished the course.
He was only unseated by teammate Adam Roberge who finished 2nd and…
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Sea Otter’s Crown Event
Young Takes Commanding Win in Anniston
Photo Credit: Sara Walker Photography
The Elevate-KHS Pro Team sprinter Eric Young won the Sunny King Criterium, the first criterium on the Pro Road Tour series with USA Cycling. All 6 riders from the team finished in the top 15, with 5 riders finishing in the breakaway.
Photo Credit: Sara Walker Photography
Texan Kyle Swanson, a new recruit to the team for the 2019 season, started the race off with a bang by landing in the first strong breakaway of the day. This move would soon prove to be the break of the race, where he was joined by 5 other riders.
The gap to the field hovered around 30 seconds, while the field decided what the next move would be. George Simpson and Alfredo Rodriguez joined two other riders and quickly bridged across to the break, now having 3 riders up the road.
As the laps wound down, the field continued to dwindle as riders made attempts to join the breakaway. Eric Young was one of the riders motivated to join the break, and eventually rode across solo. He wasted no time in the move, riding to the front and quickly attempting to thin the riders down.
Gavin Hoover eventually joined his teammates in the move, creating the perfect scenario for a textbook leadout for sprinters Young and Rodriguez. His recent time spent racing on the velodrome for the US National Team for Individual and Team Pursuit, have forged him into powerhouse for the final laps.
Young and Rodriguez come across the finish line in 1st and 2nd with room to spare.
Sea Otter Dual Slalom Podium
This years Sea Otter Classic ended with a bang! KHS Factory riders Nik Nestoroff & Steven Walton fought of some of the biggest names in the Mountain bike world, Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar, just to name a few. Nik was able to finish in 2nd place while Steven took 4th over all.
The day started with some fog and the track was a little wet, and the boys were able to qualify in 2nd and 3rd heading into the finals.
In the finals the track dried out and the winds picked up, as well as the dust. Many riders went down in the dry conditions, but Nik and Steven were able to hold out for one of the most epic finishes is Sea Otter Dual Slalom history!
Congratulations to Nik & Steven at this epic race! Sea you next years Sea Otter.
photos by: John Shafer & Cade Hahn