Tucker Gerald wins Stage 2 of the Tour de Nez
photo by Seth Lightcap
Tucker Gerald out-sprints the competition in Reno Nevada to take the second stage (Pro category) of the Tour de Nez. The race report and write up by Velo News can be found below.
Congratulations Tucker, great job!!!
Pro Men – stage 2
* 1. Tucker Gerald, Park Place Dealerships
* 2. Cody Stevenson, Adageo Energy Cycling
* 3. Steve Reaney, California Giant Berry Farm
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/news/tucker-gerald-janel-holcomb-win-tour-de-nezs-second-stage_122273
Tucker Gerald, Janel Holcomb, win Tour de Nez’s second stage
by VeloNews.com
By Seth Lightcap
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/news/tucker-gerald-janel-holcomb-win-tour-de-nezs-second-stage_122273
Transported from the sedate streets of Sparks to the rowdy downtown corridors of Reno, the Tour de Nez fired up again Friday night for a stage 2 circuit race. Under-23 hard man Tucker Gerald (Park Place Dealerships) nosed out the win for the men while U.S. National team rider Janel Holcomb was awarded the top step for the women after a crash-marred final sprint.
What a difference a day made as the Tour de Nez was pulsing with a whole new energy as the racers took to the task of stage 2. The downtown event concourse was alive and bustling and the racing vibes seriously ramped up for the elbow-to-elbow action.
The 1.5-mile circuit course cut a figure 8 across and back over the Truckee River before rolling into a long straight away that passed the event expo and start/finish line. Fans found a brew pub and a pleasant riverfront park along the race route making for top notch spectating no matter your pleasure.
A steady wind greeted the contenders of both pro races, making for a vicious back half of the course and an absolutely ripping final stretch. The women battled the breeze for 50 minutes and the men for an even hour.
Men: Gerald wins with a lunge
The men took the course with the sun low and the wind abating just a bit. The calmer conditions allowed a couple two-man breakaways to pull off the front early on, but their lead was short lived as the head wind on the back stretch was still a bear.
Sprint laps for extra points kept the pace quick, with three different racers winning bonuses, including U23 Danny Heeley. Weaving through the lane changes of the eight-cornered course proved to be less dramatic for the men as the race ran crash free.
Crushing into the last lap, the men were just as tight as the women with a dozen guys vying for the win on the final sprint. When the tires met the line it was Gerald who nosed it out, throwing a well-timed bike lunge to beat Cody Stevenson of Adageo Energy Cycling. The 39-year-old third place finisher, Steve Reaney (California Giant Berry Farm), rounded out an exceptional day, as he had just won the 35+ masters race, two hours earlier!
Gerald had good things to say about the course and competition.
“The course was technical and fast and there were a lot of strong guys here. I feel really fortunate to get the win,” said Gerald.
