Former Tour de France contender Francisco Mancebo (Real Cyclist.com) was best in yesterday’s Sun Time Trial at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, beating Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) by less than a second. The Spaniard covered the uphill course in nine minutes 40 seconds, pipping his American rival to take the first leader’s jersey.
Double US TT champion Chris Baldwin (Juwi Solar – First Solar) was third, three seconds back, while Jacques-Maynes’ brother Andy was next fastest. Bissell Pro Cycling had three riders in the first seven and looks set for a big race in the days ahead.
Mancebo said that winning the race was a goal of his, but that things were made more complicated by the large amount of sprint bonuses up for grabs in the days ahead.
Today’s first stage is a 120 mile circuit race in the city of Beaumont. He is expected to come under attack from the other riders close to him in the overall standings.
There is also a 72.3 mile race for women. Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad) won yesterday’s prologue and holds a strong eight second lead over team-mate Evelyn Stevens.
After today’s battle, the race will then continue with the City of Redlands criterium and the concluding Beaver Medical Group Sunset road race on Sunday.
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Redlands Bicycle Classic, Sun time trial:
Elite Men:
1, Fransisco Mancebo (Realcyclist.com) 9 minutes 40 secs
2, Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) at 1 sec
3, Chris Baldwin (Juwi Solar – First Solar) at 3 secs
4, Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) at 9 secs
5, Luis Amaran (Jamis Sutter Home) at 10 secs
6, Dale Parker (Trek-Livestrong) at 12 secs
7, Jeremy Vennell (Bissell Pro Cycling) at 14 secs
8, Cesar Grajales (Realcyclist.com)
9, Bernard Van Ulden (Jelly Belly pb Kenda) both same time
10, Nathaniel English (SKLZ pb Pista Palace) at 15 secs