Scott Gray, form Bend, won the opening stage for the cat3’s at Mt Hood last night. He had a really good race there last year and was very strong on the last day but was edged out of a win on the final climb to the chairlift. He’s returned and not holding much back. He won the race today in 3h 16:54.

See the race details at: http://www.mthoodcyclingclassic.com/

Here’s an email race report from Scott:

We did well yesterday! It was a big, fast field, with a couple of pro mountain bikers in there sandbagging. It definitely felt harder than last year, and the time gaps between 1 and 20 were substantial. We were doing a solid 17-20mph on the highway, and 14-16mph on the Cooper Spur road climb. I almost was dropped on the second ascent, and was suffering pretty badly.

Coming up Hwy 35 for the last ascent, the pace was a solid 18mph, with 20mph in spots. It was single file for quite a ways, then it slowed up just a bit with 5K to go. Ryan wanted to do something and went to the front, acclerating for about 200 meters. Unfortunately, he didn’t get far, and the guys setting the pace pulled him back real quick. It was all together turning onto the Cooper Spur road the last time (4th trip up the climb) and Spencer went to the front and attacked from a solid pace of 15mph. He didn’t get far and blew shortly after that hard, sustained effort.. Shortly afterward, at the 1K mark, the guy from Capitol who was a pro mountain biker and had been pulling strong all day, attacked. Ian Boswell accelerated and tried to bridge up, but couldn’t quite make it. I moved up from 10th to get Sean on my wheel and pull him to the front, but he didn’t come with me, so I bridged up to the Capitol rider without pulling Ian and the others up. I took my pull and after about 15 seconds, he told me he couldn’t come through, so just kept riding as hard a I could. I hit the 200m to go mark with about a 20m gap over the Capitol rider, and was starting to fade, but so was everyone else, and I managed to hang on for the win. The Capitol rider was 2nd at 2 seconds back, Ian was 3rd at 6 seconds, Carson Miller was 5th and Sean was 6th at 17 seconds, and Spencer was 20th at 43 seconds. Mike and Erik both suffered from cramping (it was really hot out there, easily the warmest day this season (mid 80s), and a bunch of riders were suffering in the heat). Ryan blew up a bit after his hard effort, but still came in with Mike. The super-strong riders who were pulling all day faded toward the end, but I think they were just out there for a workout.

I guess I didn’t need the skinsuit after all, as I have to wear the yellow jersey for the TT this afternoon. I am sure I will lose some time, but a stage victory pretty much made my race, no matter what happens from here on out.

I hope you are having a good weekend!

Scott