(Photo: Pat Malach)
Local racing standout Jacob Rathe has picked up an impressive stage win at the Rutas de America race in Uruguay. Rathe, 20, won the 143km stage in a time of 2:55:26.
Pat Malach of Oregon Cycling Action says Rathe’s win at Rutas de America came against some of the top U23 talent in the world. The race included a field of racers from Italy, Spain, Netherlands, the USA, Switzerland, Belarus, Australia, Slovenia, and others.
We profiled Rathe back in 2008 when, as a 17-year old he was picked to represent Team USA in the Junior World Championships. Rathe rode with the Jelly Belly Pro Team last year and Malach reports that he signed with Team Chipotle — the development squad for the ProTour Garmin-Cervelo team of World Champion Thor Hushovd — in the off-season.
Next up for Rathe is a trip back to the states where he’ll compete at the Redlands Bicycle Classic in California.
Update, 3/17: Thanks to a commenter below, we have video footage of Rathe’s thrilling sprint victory!
