Race Report: 2024 Baker City Cycling Classic, Stage Race
Race: Baker City Cycling Classic - Men’s P/1/2
Date: June 21st-23rd, 2024
AVRT racers: Andrea Cloarec, Nathan Martin, PA Laforcade, Cam O’Reilly
Top Results: Andrea 7th Overvall GC / 75. Nathan 8th
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/11723508387/overview
Nutrition: Safeway Deli bar for lunch and dinner, cookies for breakfast!
A lot of Malto and gels during the race.
We went to baker city with Cam, PA and Nathan. With Nathan being the winner from last year. Lots of big teams with many riders, so we had to be very attentive on everyday.
Stage 1 - Road race:
First part was pretty flat, then the last 30 miles with 3 climbs of around 10 minutes and 2 times 5 minutes.A small break went early but never too dangerous. Once the peloton pushed the pace on a small ramp and catching the break, I moved up as I was seeing strong teams also moving up.Quickly after 2 guys went, I followed. After a few minutes I looked around me. We were a break of 8, with all the good teams, a good gap on the peloton already, and rotating well.We kept working well until the first climb, and we heard we had a 3min40 gap.On the first climb, 2 guys went as I couldn't follow (450w for 10 minutes was too ambitious to try to stick!). These two guys finished the overall GC 1-2.
I found myself with a Team California guy, and Matt from TMB.
We finished the stage together, Matt taking the sprint for 3rd. I finished 4th.
Stage 2 - TT, 13 miles:
I road it the day before, I knew it would be fast and I expected it to be 25min.
So I set my power at 400w, trying to be as aero as possible. I managed to pace it well, quickly catching the Team California boy who left 30 seconds before me. So I knew I was moving correctly.
I finished in 4th position on the day, 11 seconds behind the winner. Who also won the day 1, and did this tt on a road bike. I was 3rd on GC after this. And Nathan 7th.
Stage 3 - Crit :
Job was for PA to chase a result. Cam, Nathan and me just chilling and finishing in the pack, saving energy.
So PA was alone facing organized teams with many riders. He stayed in good position during the hour, but unfortunately couldn't catch the good train on the last lap and finished 16th/74. TMB controlled the full race with Eamon winning this.
Stage 4 - Queen stage:
The reverse of stage 1 with a long 12 miles climb to finish the day.
So it was a rolling start with some small climbs. We were expecting a break to go to try to attack the GC. So PA stayed ahead, following several attacks. Good thing he kept following as a very good break got formed with 2 tmb, Jackson and Chris, and with Kent Ross from Expeditors, certainly the main favorite for the climb. POA, the team of the leader, had to chase the full day using their 8 guys, as the break with PA did an amazing job setting a hard pace.We stayed in the peloton with Cam and Nathan trying to ride effectively, fueling well to arrive fresh for the final climb.
As we started it, we were just 40 seconds behind the break. Thanks to POA who worked crazy hard the full day.
From the first percentage of the climb, Nathan sent it. Tim from TMB quickly followed. As I was feeling good, I went with them. So we were 3, we quickly caught all the guys from the break. With PA giving us a very nice pull when we passed him, with his last resources, Thank you PA! 😂
Only Kent Ross was ahead.
A group of 6 guys, with the main GC contenders caught us. So we were 9 climbing, trying to chase Kent Ross.
Unfortunately the pace was quite hard, Tim from Tmb dropped, another guy did too. Then it was Nathan and me to have to drop and pace it correctly.
Finally we finished 9th and 10th on the day, 2 minutes behind the main group.
Overall GC:
Nathan finished 8th overall, and I finished 7th, just seconds separating us.
Considering the depth and the level of this year's field, it was still an ok result, the 6 guys ahead of us being all renown bike racers, pro of semi pro.
Very nice weekend here in Baker City, Oregon.
And huge thanks to Roger, Nathan’s dad, for helping us one more time!
