The Joe Martin Stage Race began yesterday at Devil’s Den near Fayetteville, AR with a 4km uphill time trial. The course averaged a six percent grade and covered 680 feet of elevation gain. Alison Starnes, Meredith Miller and Amanda Miller flaunted their climbing legs placing third, fourth and sixth respectively on the day. Stage winner Katheryn Curi Mattis (Webcor) covered the course in 9:38. Alison Powers (Team Vera Bradley Foundation) finished in second place less than a second behind Mattis. Starnes finished 10 seconds down. M. Miller is at 25 seconds; A. Miller at 27.9 seconds. Team TIBCO’s JMSR squad also includes Devon Haskell, Megan Guarnier, Sam Schneider, and Kristen Lasasso.
“We’re looking good going into Friday’s road race,” says M. Miller.”This is a hard race to win from behind. The stages aren’t hard enough to allow for a natural split in the peloton. It’s about being aggressive and taking time at the finish.”
Stage 2 is a 64 mile point to point road race featuring a finishing time bonus of 10 seconds, 6 seconds and 4 seconds for first, second and third places.
For a complete TT report and video interview with Alison Starnes, visit PodiumInsight.