Wind proved to be the biggest factor on stage 2 of the SRAM Tour of the Gila. Colavita-Baci and Team Vera Bradley Foundation spent most of the race in a 5-person break until Andrea Dvorak (Colavita-Baci) attacked her group on the feedzone climb. Only Dvorak’s teammate, Carmen Small, was able to match the effort, and the dwindling field absorbed the three Team Vera Bradley Foundation riders. Colavita-Baci went 1-2-3 on Fort Bayard Inner Loop road race as the break stayed away and Cath Cheatley took the field sprint. Meredith Miller took 2nd in the field sprint for 4th on the stage; her GC position remained unchanged. For full reports and photos on stage 2, check out Podium Insight, VeloNews and Cyclingnews.
A podium for Miller on the stage 3 Time Trial bumped her into 6th overall. “I’m super happy,” she said. “Surprised and happy. We have a strong field assembled here, and I wasn’t expecting this kind of result.” Miller’s effort was bested only by former U.S. National Time Trial Champion Alison Powers (Team Vera Bradley Foundation) and Erinne Willock (Webcor). Powers posted a time of 39:18 over the 16.1 mile course. Willock finished 1:33 behind Powers; Miller was an additional 11 seconds behind at 1:44. Full stage 3 report with photos and video interview with Miller can be found on Podium Insight.