REDLANDS CLASSIC 2023
April 21st, 2023
36th Annual Redlands Classic Race Recap.
Palm Trees & California in April? It must be Redlands Classic!
Stage 1 Highlands Circuit Race: On a day that Aevolo debuted our all new Fourth Generation 2023 Cannondale Super Six EVOs, Brody McDonald rode himself into the Best Young Rider Jersey. But it was merely a salvaging of what promised so much more with 5 laps to go of the 58mile Highland Circuit Race. Indeed, the riders had ridden a smart entree to the Traditional North American Season Opener Redlands Classic Stage 1 Highland Road Race, with Gabe Shipley, Toby Klein and Evan Boyle trying their hand at various moves. But it was Brody who made what turned out to be the race winning breakaway as the race entered its Finale. Alas, Brody aka Bro the Bomb suffered an untimely puncture with 5 laps to go and as the break stretched out its lead, it was the best the team could do to limit time losses and position for the final sprint. Brody ended up 10th and snagged the BYR jersey, with @xanderrwhite just behind and still in a good position as the Stage Race unfolds over the next few days.
Stage 2 Yucaipa Road Race finishing on the mighty Oak Glen climb: Another day another (different) jersey on the Yucaipa stage two of Redlands classic finishing atop the iconic Oak Glen climb. Evan Boyle broke away solo gaining an advantage of over three minutes 15 and earned himself the King of the mountains jersey before being reeled in at the base of the final Oak Glen climb. Despite being dropped on the climb Evan had accumulated enough points to give him the lead of the KOM classification and would spend the next few days defending the jersey. In the GC battle Xander White finished 14th on the stage to place 12th on GC.
Stage 3: Route 66 Time Trial: Seven slippery, slippery lads rode into the wind today at Redlands Classic. Alas it was not enough to overcome the pure power of #aevoloalumni Tyler Stites racing for Project Echelon Racing, but our lads are looking tidy on the cusp of the bubble. Xander White sits in 12th on GC. Evan Boyle continues to hold the KOM jersey.
Stage 4 Redlands Downtown Criterium: A dynamic effort from the Aevolo lads at Redlands Classic Stage 4 Downtown Criterium. With specialist teams Legion of LA and NCL Disruptors controlling proceedings the opportunities for breakaways were limited but our guys held firm in the front of the bike race leading to a fine 5th place for Brody McDonald & a consolidation of top 10 on GC for Xander White. Evan Boyle retains his King of the Mountains jersey since Stage 2.
Stage 5 Sunset Loop lived up to its reputation as a true one day classic tacked into the end of a stage race with all of the teams putting an effort to dislodge the Yellow Jersey holder and AevoloAlumni @tylerstites “T-Money”. Early into proceedings our own @tobykbikes launched himself into a 6 rider move that included former Paris- Nice winner Sergio Henao and set about building an advantage over the @projectechelonracing led field. As the laps wound down it was #USPro Champ @ridinabike (@l39ion.la ) who set in a blistering attack that reset the lead of the race and blew up the field. Our lads were positioned strong and steady looking after the tactically savvy Kiwi @xanderrwhite and when the final selection was made it was indeed Xander who made the race deciding split along with the cream of the GC favorites including Stites.
Coming back into Redlands it was @robinmhcarpenter (@l39ion.la ) who broke clear of the field and sparked a desperate chase from the 9 GC contendors. But the gap never got to the crucial lead changing point and No one else in the chase was able to dislodge Stites. Carpenter won from @gavin_hlady (@tmbequator ) and AevoloAlumni @riley_sheehan, with Xander sprinting to 6th and claiming 7th on Final Overall Classification.
Unfortunately for @evannnboyle, who had held the KOM jersey since Stage 2, the day proved too difficult and he relinquished the Red Jersey which had begun to look comfortable on his shoulders.
A great effort by all of the Riders and Staff at a hard fought edition of @redlandsclassic. Thank you to the race organizers, community and spectators for a fabulous edition of this event. Next up: @tourofthegila #LetsGoChamp
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