Tour of Virginia Stage 5 Waynesboro to Staunton

4/27 - Stage #5 Waynesboro to Staunton– 105 miles

Today’s was the first inclement weather. The earlier start guaranteed that we would be starting at 40 degrees and in the rain, but sun was forecasted for the afternoon. Over the first climb everything was fine, the rain was intense at time, the field was moving fast. We covered the first 45 miles at about 28 mph.

It was at this point Team Alliance’s days started going really bad. Joe was struggling to stay on the back. Mike was doing team work carrying, bottles and clothes, back and forth to the car. Just before we started the ascent of the day’s only “categorized” climb John Delong pulled to the side of the road. Miller stopped immediately to help. John had a bent chain and a flat tire. We assume from one of the gravel roads we rode over. John told us to leave him. This was a tough decision because he was our highest placed rider, but the fact is that this mechanical was probably terminal. John did get a wheel from our car and a chain from the SRAM car. He rode another ten miles, but never made up ground. John jumped into the broom wagon.

Joe struggled at the back for a long time. He was having his bad day today. He tried staying in the caravan, but the race really sped up in the final 35 miles. With 20 kilometers to go the race was full speed. Rite Aid’s Stephen Kincaid (PA) was chasing hard most of the day. A small group was up the rode. The break contained some high GC riders. So Stephen and his teammates had to chase.

Coming into the finish Team Alliance was trying to set up Jame Carney for a sprint win. But again luck was not on our side. Jame flatted as we passed the 3 kilometer sign. This kept him in the GC position, but ruined the chance for a win. Boyd and Mike rolled in with the field.

We all waited hoping Joe would make the time cut. After 14 minutes Joe rolled in safely, giving him the opportunity to fight again another day.

Race time 4:10 h:m