April 20, 2010
Ian McKissick wins Walla Walla Time Trial and tries to take out of overall GC
Walla Walla, WA - The first big stage race of the year with some of the strongest teams in the Northwest and Canada. The race was comprised of 4 stages, 2 road races, a time trial and criterium.
Stage 1 - Kellogg Hollow Road Race
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The first of 4 stages on Friday afternoon was underway, the Lenovo team had a full Cat 1/2 squad with it being speer headed by Ian McKissick, Wes Richards, Mike Hone, Ian Tubbs, Shawn Ongers, Ryan Iddings, Travis Venable and Brent Carslon. As the race went underway, Lenovo was following moves and saving energy. With the last 10 miles, a small group of 3 riders rolled off the front. The Lenovo team grouped together with a couple other teams to take chase to bring the 3 back. The lead group was caught with 5km to go and then the team were trying to set up Wes Richards for the win. In the final couple hundred meters, Wes got boxed in and was only able to hang onto 6th place. Still there were no big time cuts for the top riders.
Stage 2 - Time Trial
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On Saturday morning, the time trial was held just out of town from Walla Walla. Ian McKissick was on fire today. He scorched the course in just 18 min and 32 secs. Beating his nearest rival by nearly 45 seconds. Mike Hone also pulled off a fast time with 19 min 36 secs placing 11th. Wes Richards and Ian Tubbs also road a solid time trial.
Stage 3 - Criterium
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Heading into the criterium, the Lenovo team was now placed 1st and 9th in Overall GC. Ian McKissick wanted the team to keep the pace high at the front of the peleton and hope nothing would get away that would have him lose his lead in the GC. Unfortunately the rain began at the beginning of the 7pm race. So the streets were slippery and wet and most riders road a fairly cautious race. The main goal of the race was to survive and hope not to lose any time. Even though it rained, the criterium seemed to be a very fast race. With light deteriorating, the officials decided to shorten the race. A small group of two riders rolled off and were able to stay away to win the race. The time gaps were not significant enough to effect anything in the Overall GC.
Stage 4 - Waitsburg Road Race
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The final stage of Walla Walla was the 96 mile Waitsburg road race. For the first time ever, Lenovo had to defend the leaders jersey. We knew it was going to be hard, but every rider was willing to give everything. On the first lap, we let a small group of riders go up the road and let them maintain a gap that ranged from 1-2 minutes. Ian Tubbs, Brent Carlson, Travis Venable and Shawn Ongers were the guys to set tempo for the first part of the race. These guys did an awesome job and it was pretty impressive to see the entire team on the front for the first 60 miles. As we came into the second lap, Ryan Iddings would take pace on the 3km climb to maintain the pace at the front of the peleton. He did some amazing tempo work at the front. At the top of the climb on the 2 lap, the Lenovo was attacked. Ian McKissick was isolated and had to cover a number of attacks from teams that were fresh and sitting in all day.
Mike Hone, Shawn Ongers, Ryan Iddings and Wes Richards soon regrouped back to the lead group to help Ian McKissick defend his yellow jersey. Travis, Brent and Ian Tubbs had done their work and fell off the back. Now the race began to turn. We less riders on the front, Mike Hone, Wes Richards and Ian McKissick were trying to save their matches for the final 30 miles. With fewer riders at the front, Mike Hone decided to go to the front to help out the team and forgo his 9th place overall. More attacks were coming from the teams since the team began to tire. Wes Richards followed a viscious attack from the Team Orbea guys. Soon they had over a minute on the peleton. Now only Mike Hone and Shawn Ongers were left at the front to chase the lead group. Soon they began to tire and then the rest of the peleton turned the screws on. Attacks went left and right. Ian McKissick was unable to control each attack and soon a group 5-10 had rolled up the road between the peleton and lead break. This now left McKissick to take control at the front and now was isolated to pull the group back himself. This was the only chink of the day in the Lenovo team. Unfortunately it was in the last 8 miles of the race. McKissick had no chance to bridge to the lead group on the final climb after spending most of his energy defending off all the attacks on the last lap.
Wes Richards managed 6th place of the day and finished 11th Overall. Ian McKissick moved down to 15th Overall. It was a little somber at the end of the day, but every rider on the team gave it their all. It was a great experience to ride at the front and have the chance to lead one of the biggest races in the Northwest. Look out next time at Cherry Blossom. Lessons have been learnt.
