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Killington Stage Race-Stage 2 Update

 

 

 

 

 

We just received an unofficial update from Ambrose. Once again, the official results are not posted for stage 2 yet, but here is a quote from Ambrose.

“Just finished the time trial race and placed 15th which is super because that is not my specialty. I’m about 1 minute and 20 second down on the leader which is not that much because tomorrow is the big daddy of a race. I’m excited and ready to go.”

Ok, so to explain the situation, after turning 50 in March, Ambrose is racing in the 50 to 59 category with over 50 other athletes in the same category. When Ambrose talks about his specialty, those of us who know him sometimes wonder what he’s talking about because very few of us can come anywhere close to him no matter what kind of race it is. In a major open event like the Killington Stage Race, it’s a different story.

Stage 1 favoured the sprinters with a relatively flat circuit and a very fast sprint finish. He was leading part of that stage on the last lap along with his friend and rival Scott Clark, but they were eventually caught by the pack. His strategy was to finish with the sprinters and not lose any time. There are time bonuses for the first few places, so he started the TT only 12 seconds behind the leader.

The TT is a slightly uphill grind, less than 20 km. He’s been working hard on the time trial, but he knows all of his efforts are just to stay close, so he has a good chance when the race goes uphill on stage 3.

Some of those ahead of him are going to be TT specialists and when it comes to the “big daddy” they are going to get dropped by the elite climbers. The climbs are very difficult, one of them is on a dirt road, but the finish is up a ski hill road with a grade of 22%. The steepest part of North Mountain on the Cabot Trail is about 16%. The elite climbers are going to take over and Ambrose’s plan is to stay with them as long as he can, and hopefully he will feel good near the finish and make a run for it. His goal was top 10, but he will not ride for 10th place. Ambrose is going to push for the win with everything he has. If the other guys are better, they are going to have to work for it.

Race Results