Under dark and wet skies, the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic began with a prologue time trial last night. The event was held at Portland International Raceway just north of downtown Kenton in North Portland.
Some of America’s strongest bike racers battled against the clock to set the overall standings for the five stage race that continues with Stage 1 at Mt. Tabor Park tonight. Riders hunched over their bikes and focused all their physical and mental energy on their pedals. To cheat the wind, they wore teardrop helmets and rode high-tech, aerodynamic bikes made especially for time trials. They covered the four mile course in just over 7 minutes, with the winner, Paul Mach (Bissell), clocking a 07:11.
Tonight’s criterium at Mt. Tabor Park should prove very interesting — for racers and spectators — if it continues to rain. The action starts at 6:30. Come early to take in the vendors, food, and other fun at the expo area.
Follow the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic on the event website or get live updates via Twitter.
More photos from last night’s action in the slideshow below:
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rain or shine, this is going to be really fun to watch. A better race spectating opportunity would be tough to find.
after last weekends race in the rain, expect a lot of carnage tonight on the corners with the higher speeds of these riders…don’t stand to the outside corners if you’re spectating…
Great advice! It could be a crash filled spectacle or the dullest stage you could ever witness.
Out of curiosity, given the high-profile headlines that have rocked cycling over the past few weeks, does the Mt. Hood Classic do drug testing?
I would like to watch some of this, but there is no way I am going out with the current rain situation.
Yes. This is a high profile professional event on the domestic calendar.
I don’t know if they drug test, but certainly don’t think it is necessary. Top prize in the GC ($930) probably doesn’t cover the cost of most the wheelsets out there…
Excited for some racing on Tabor tonight!!!
Drug testing is done by USADA. They pick and choose the events. Many times races do not know they are coming until the races start. Any USAC event can be selected.
Oooh, forecast improving. Light rain ending by 6pm (race start time) according to TWC.
#7: Drug testing matters whether there is a significant prize purse or not.
Weeding out cheating and fraudulent athletes always matters.
It certainly is necessary.
But when they all use, is it really cheating?
Always a great event, and they always need volunteers and housing for racers (got some great kits that way). The prologue was really cool when they held it on the waterfront – couldn’t believe how fast they hauled! The crits on Sunday in Hood River are always the highlight for me though.
Rode stage 6 with Tour de Hood last year – highly recommended! I had been training and looking forward to it again this year but crashed in the rain two weeks ago and broke my clavicle. Will be sagging it instead, so if you see a guy in a sling offer sympathy (and beer :).