Report by Keir Plaice
Stage 4 here at the Tour of Pennsylvania was a short and intense with a 95km parcours marked by 2 significant KOMs, the first beginning just 15km into the race. The aim going in was to consolidate my position in the competition for the white jersey and hopefully seize any opportunity to take time from the leading VMG-Felt rider.Â
The profile of the race plainly dictated where the first crucial moments would occur today. The early KOM was contested on a 7 mile climb with grades between 10% and 15%, I was off the ball at the base and as the road turned upwards I suffered as I vainly tried to move up in the field as Felt mounted an organized assault at the front of the race.
Soon after the top, the skies opened up and the rain came belting down. Our team collaborated on the front with some of the other squads to try and bring the gap down to the leading break of 15 that contained Felt’s Salon, my rival in the U21 classification. I was tempted early to try and bridge as the gap hovered around a minute but was convinced to take advantage of the power of the group.
By the top of the 2nd KOM the break had gained just under 3 minutes with 30km to go. Here our chasing group put the pedal to the floor with several teams riding alongside our representatives at the front at well over 50km/hr.
Thanks to these efforts, the gap to winner David Veilleux and his breakaway had been brought down to a minute by the finale. I fought to stay near the front of the bunch sprint in order to eliminate the risk of any further time gaps that might have opened and finished safely.
Looking back at the stage I am frustrated that I blew my chance to be at the front of today’s bike race, however I am also extremely thankful for all the help that I got from the team, the efforts of Pozzy and Joël deserve special mention, to give me the opportunity to keep fighting for that white T-Shirt. Tomorrow promises a very difficult race and the team is eager to race aggressively and show the white black and green at the front. Personally I am very motivated, and aim to be competitive in the final and take any opportunity to gain time in the classification.
