David Veilleux made it two stages in a row for the Kelly Benefits Strategies team in stage three of the Green Mountain Stage Race, while Irish National Champion Olivia Dillon (Peanutbutter&Co/Twenty12) was the strongest in the women's field. Veilleux took advantage of his more than 8 minute deficit in the overall, and stuck a stage-long break that also included second place on the day, Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly p/b Kenda), and third place Will Dugan (Team Type 1).
The men's race was agressive as soon as the peloton completed the neutral rollout, with a group getting clear that included Jelly Belly’s Will Routley. Overall leader Ted King (IamTedKing.com) pulled the escape back only to see a counter attack fly and eventually form the eight man break of the day. With 65 miles and two mountain passes on tap, the peloton was content to let the group stay up the road.
As the leaders ticked off the climbs their numbers dwindled until it was down to three; Veilleux, Powers and Dugan. The Jelly Belly rider was just 25 seconds out of the race lead, making him the virtual leader on the road. Dugan was the first to lose contact with 3 kilometers remaining on the stage, next was Powers, who was unable to follow the Canadian's final surge to the line.
“I didn’t know if we’d stay out,” said Powers after the stage. “There are some strong guys here, but no one has a big team.”
While Powers knew he was riding into the overall lead, he was still hungry for stage success. “As it turns out, David has really good kick, even uphill,” added Powers.
Powers heads into tomorrow's final stage, the 50 kilometer Dealer.com Burlington Criterium, with 2 minutes and 13 seconds over Tim Johnson (UnitedHealthcare/Maxxis).
The women's race saw Dillon power the final climb with Peanutbutter & Co./Twenty12 teammate and race leader Kristin McGrath crossing the line 33 seconds later to retain control of the overall. Amanda Watson (Fruit66/Artemis) snatched third place from Team Kenda's Anna McLoon, with the pair reversed in the battle for the overall.
Men's stage three results:
1. David Veilleux - Kelly Benefit Strategies
2. Jeremy Powers - Jelly Belly P/B Kenda
3. William Dugan - Team Type 1
4. Will Routley - Jelly Belly Presented by Kenda
5. Jamey Driscoll - Jamis/Sutter Home Professional Cycling
6. Gavin Mannion - Trek-Livestrong Presented by RadioShack
7. Timothy Johnson - UnitedHealthcare pb Maxxis
8. Cameron Cogburn - CCB/Wheelworks
9. Jordan Cheyne - MainLine - BiKyle/MazurCoaching.com
10. Ian Holt - Battley Harley-Davidson/Sonoma/Teaism
Men's overall after stage three:
1. Jeremy Powers - Jelly Belly P/B Kenda
2. Timothy Johnson - UnitedHealthcare pb Maxxis @ 2m 13s
3. Gavin Mannion - Trek-Livestrong Presented by RadioShack @ 2m 26s
4. Jamey Driscoll - Jamis/Sutter Home Professional Cycling @ 2m 28s
5. Cameron Cogburn - CCB/Wheelworks @ 2m 35s
6. William Dugan - Team Type 1 @ 3m 12s
7. Ian Holt - Battley Harley-Davidson/Sonoma/Teaism @ 3m 13s
8. Ted King - iamTedKing.com @ 3m 17s
Women's stage three results:
1. Olivia Dillon - Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12
2. Kristin McGrath - Peanut Butter & Co/Twenty12
3. Amanda Watson - Fruit 66/Artemis
4. Anna McLoon - Team Kenda
5. Patty Buerkle - Fruit66 - Artemis
6. Mary Zider - Team Nanoblur Gears
7. Fabienne Gerard - CRCA/Fuoriclasse Racing-Discover Chiropractic
8. Megan Guarnier - Team Tibco/To the Top
9. Suz Weldon - Bikesale.com
10. Christine Schryver - Full Moon Vista
Women's overall after stage three:
1. Kristin McGrath - Peanut Butter & Co/Twenty12
2. Olivia Dillon - Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty12 @ 3s
3. Anna McLoon - Team Kenda @ 1m 5s
4. Amanda Watson - Fruit 66/Artemis @ 1m 29s
5. Megan Guarnier - Team Tibco/To the Top @ 1m 32s