<p>Bend, OR For the second consecutive month, Rory Sutherland of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis has won the overall title of a major U.S. stage race. Last month, Sutherland won the Nature Valley Grand Prix in dramatic fashion, with his teammates launching him to a final-stage, final-lap attack that earned the win. This week, Sutherland took the lead of the Cascade Classic on the second day of the six-day race, and again benefited from tremendous teamwork to hold it until the final stage today.</p><p>
</p><p>
The guys did a great job of defending the lead for five days, Sutherland said. Today was a really fast day. It w as raced hard by a lot of other teams. When you see your teammates working so hard, it pushes you that extra bit to finish things off and pay off their hard work. Im really proud to be a part of this team. Weve come to expect this kind of work from these guys, but today they really went above and beyond.</p><p>
</p><p>
The Team definitely had their work cut out for them today. Holding only a 0:20 lead on V Australias Ben Day, and just 0:55 on Days teammate, Darren Lill, the race was by no means over with a hot and hilly Aubrey Butte Circuit Race on tap to close out this edition of the Classic. Both Lill and Day were active all day, but it was Bissells Rob Britton, sitting 1:40 down, who ended up posing the biggest threat to Sutherlands title.</p><p>
</p><p>
The Team did a great job of keeping things together early until we could get a break going that had the right mix so we could let it go, said Team Directeur Sportif G ord Fraser. A break of five guys with the closest guy five minutes down got off the front and we gave them a bit of leash. But we maybe didnt give them enough because Britton was able to get across to it with two other guys.</p><p>
</p><p>
This boosted the break to eight, with two riders each from Bissell and V Australia, and Brad White representing UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis. With White sitting on, the break extended its lead out to 2:40, putting Britton in the virtual race lead. </p><p>
</p><p>
There were definitely a few sticky moments out there when the gap got out a bit, Sutherland said. But we stayed calm and got the job done.</p><p>
</p><p>
Behind, Andrew Pinfold, Morgan Schmitt, Matt Crane, Chris Baldwin and Max Jenkins were riding tempo, slowly reeling in the move.</p><p>
</p><p>
Our plan was to bring the break back by the base of the final climb, which came with about six or seven kilometers to go, Fra ser said. But the 100-degree heat was taking its toll on the guys, so when Britton got up to the break, we had Brad drop back to the bunch to help out with the chase. All the guys definitely paid the price because of the heat.</p><p>
</p><p>
But their efforts werent wasted. By the base of the final climb, the break was back in the fold. And though Sutherland was left without teammates at that point, he was still fresh from having been able to sit in for most of the stage. But Lill and Day werent going down without a fight. Lill attacked on the final climb and crested with a 0:15 advantage with about 5 km to go to the finish. Sutherland didnt panic. He kept an eye on Day a more immediate threat and let the still sizable pack take care of Lill, with other riders upping the tempo to have a c rack at the stage win. </p><p>
</p><p>
A group of 20 came into the final kilometer to contest the win. With 1 km to go, Alex Dowsett (Trek Livestrong) put in an attack that turned out to be the winner. With the overall title pretty well sealed up, Sutherland opted not to mix it up in a potentially dicey sprint. He came across the line safely in the group and victory was his.</p><p>
</p><p>
We couldnt have asked for any more from the guys today, Fraser added. Everyone was 100 percent committed to defending the jersey. It was an exceptional team win, and the first time this team has won the Classic in five years. So were goidary mountain biker Ned Overend took his shot, ironically competing in the Pro Road Race (where he took 14th, despite his slight seniority over the large field!). Defending Downhill champion Sam Hill was unfortunately unable to attend, as he is currently recovering from an injury. </p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Mens Cross Country</b></p><p>
1st, Burry Stander, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
3rd, Todd Wells, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
4th, Christoph Sauser, S-Works Epic</p><p>
</p><p>
The XC course was exceptionally fast this year and considerably shorter, with five laps including long stretches on pavement, which worked perfectly for the Specialized riders and their 29 wheels. Stander and Wells worked together from the gun, using classic road race tactics to isolate and punish Geoff Kabush, but Stander proved triumphant in a furious final sprint. Sauser tried to close the gap near the end, but ultimately couldnt gain enough ground on the leaders, finishing alone in fourth.</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Mens Short Track</b></p><p>
1st, Todd Wells, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
2nd, Burry Stander, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er </p><p>
4th, Christoph Sauser, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Womens Cross Country and Short Track</b></p><p>
2nd, Lene Byberg, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er and S-Works Era (respectively)</p><p>
</p><p>
Byberg, known more for her impressive climbing than the raw speed this XC course demanded, launched her own hard, fast, head-to-head battle. She stayed with Georgia Gould till the end, finishing a mere six seconds behind her, in a repeat of last years final standings. The two also shared the podium in the Short Track race.</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Womens Super D</b></p><p>
2nd, Rebecca Rusch, S-Works Era</p><p>
</p><p>
For more highlights on Specialized athletes, their bikes, and their races, visit www.i-am-specialized.com</p>
More...
</p><p>
The guys did a great job of defending the lead for five days, Sutherland said. Today was a really fast day. It w as raced hard by a lot of other teams. When you see your teammates working so hard, it pushes you that extra bit to finish things off and pay off their hard work. Im really proud to be a part of this team. Weve come to expect this kind of work from these guys, but today they really went above and beyond.</p><p>
</p><p>
The Team definitely had their work cut out for them today. Holding only a 0:20 lead on V Australias Ben Day, and just 0:55 on Days teammate, Darren Lill, the race was by no means over with a hot and hilly Aubrey Butte Circuit Race on tap to close out this edition of the Classic. Both Lill and Day were active all day, but it was Bissells Rob Britton, sitting 1:40 down, who ended up posing the biggest threat to Sutherlands title.</p><p>
</p><p>
The Team did a great job of keeping things together early until we could get a break going that had the right mix so we could let it go, said Team Directeur Sportif G ord Fraser. A break of five guys with the closest guy five minutes down got off the front and we gave them a bit of leash. But we maybe didnt give them enough because Britton was able to get across to it with two other guys.</p><p>
</p><p>
This boosted the break to eight, with two riders each from Bissell and V Australia, and Brad White representing UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis. With White sitting on, the break extended its lead out to 2:40, putting Britton in the virtual race lead. </p><p>
</p><p>
There were definitely a few sticky moments out there when the gap got out a bit, Sutherland said. But we stayed calm and got the job done.</p><p>
</p><p>
Behind, Andrew Pinfold, Morgan Schmitt, Matt Crane, Chris Baldwin and Max Jenkins were riding tempo, slowly reeling in the move.</p><p>
</p><p>
Our plan was to bring the break back by the base of the final climb, which came with about six or seven kilometers to go, Fra ser said. But the 100-degree heat was taking its toll on the guys, so when Britton got up to the break, we had Brad drop back to the bunch to help out with the chase. All the guys definitely paid the price because of the heat.</p><p>
</p><p>
But their efforts werent wasted. By the base of the final climb, the break was back in the fold. And though Sutherland was left without teammates at that point, he was still fresh from having been able to sit in for most of the stage. But Lill and Day werent going down without a fight. Lill attacked on the final climb and crested with a 0:15 advantage with about 5 km to go to the finish. Sutherland didnt panic. He kept an eye on Day a more immediate threat and let the still sizable pack take care of Lill, with other riders upping the tempo to have a c rack at the stage win. </p><p>
</p><p>
A group of 20 came into the final kilometer to contest the win. With 1 km to go, Alex Dowsett (Trek Livestrong) put in an attack that turned out to be the winner. With the overall title pretty well sealed up, Sutherland opted not to mix it up in a potentially dicey sprint. He came across the line safely in the group and victory was his.</p><p>
</p><p>
We couldnt have asked for any more from the guys today, Fraser added. Everyone was 100 percent committed to defending the jersey. It was an exceptional team win, and the first time this team has won the Classic in five years. So were goidary mountain biker Ned Overend took his shot, ironically competing in the Pro Road Race (where he took 14th, despite his slight seniority over the large field!). Defending Downhill champion Sam Hill was unfortunately unable to attend, as he is currently recovering from an injury. </p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Mens Cross Country</b></p><p>
1st, Burry Stander, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
3rd, Todd Wells, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
4th, Christoph Sauser, S-Works Epic</p><p>
</p><p>
The XC course was exceptionally fast this year and considerably shorter, with five laps including long stretches on pavement, which worked perfectly for the Specialized riders and their 29 wheels. Stander and Wells worked together from the gun, using classic road race tactics to isolate and punish Geoff Kabush, but Stander proved triumphant in a furious final sprint. Sauser tried to close the gap near the end, but ultimately couldnt gain enough ground on the leaders, finishing alone in fourth.</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Mens Short Track</b></p><p>
1st, Todd Wells, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
2nd, Burry Stander, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er </p><p>
4th, Christoph Sauser, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Womens Cross Country and Short Track</b></p><p>
2nd, Lene Byberg, S-Works Stumpjumper 29er and S-Works Era (respectively)</p><p>
</p><p>
Byberg, known more for her impressive climbing than the raw speed this XC course demanded, launched her own hard, fast, head-to-head battle. She stayed with Georgia Gould till the end, finishing a mere six seconds behind her, in a repeat of last years final standings. The two also shared the podium in the Short Track race.</p><p>
</p><p>
<b>Womens Super D</b></p><p>
2nd, Rebecca Rusch, S-Works Era</p><p>
</p><p>
For more highlights on Specialized athletes, their bikes, and their races, visit www.i-am-specialized.com</p>
More...