- HOT TOPICS:
- The new VeloNews.com (BETA)
Baldwin, Armstrong secure Gila titles
Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) knew what he had to do and did it — he stayed glued to the wheel of Scott Moninger (Health Net-Maxxis) during the final stage of the Teleperformance Tour of the Gila — the fabled Gila Monster Road Race — and came away with the overall victory.
Meanwhile, overall leader Kristin Armstrong (Team Lipton) extended her margin during the women’s finale, winning the stage and securing her title.
The Gila Monster sent pro men off on a 100-mile loop from Silver City to Pinos Altos with 9360 feet of climbing. Women raced an abbreviated loop, covering 66 miles with 5420 feet of climbing.
In the men’s race, with Baldwin and Moninger focused on the overall, Team Einstein’s Jason Donald saw an opening and went for it, winning the stage by just three seconds ahead of Anthony Colby (Target Training). Moninger followed in third, collecting a five-second bonus, but Baldwin was right there with him in fourth, clinging to a 17-second lead on the overall.
Armstrong, meanwhile, was leaving nothing to chance. She won the women’s finale by nearly a minute over Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing), while the second-placed-overall Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail) nailed down her spot on the final podium by taking third on the day.
Teleperformance Tour of the Gila
Stage 5: Gila Monster Road Race
Men
1. Jason Donald, Team Einstein, 100mi in 4:46:09
2. Anthony Colby, Target Training, at 0:03
3. Scott Moninger, Health Net-Maxxis, at 0:05
4. Chris Baldwin, Toyota-United, same time
5. Ian Ayers, Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home, at 0:09
Women
1. Kristin Armstrong, Team Lipton, 66mi in 3:25:00
2. Rachel Heal, Victory Brewing, at 0:51
3. Anne Samplonius, Team Biovail, at 1:15
4. Erinne Willock, Webcor, at 1:28
5. Dotsie Bausch, Colavita-Cooking Light, at 2:03
Final overall
Men
1. Chris Baldwin, Toyota-United, 14:10:51
2. Scott Moninger, Health Net-Maxxis, at 0:17
3. Burke Swindlehurst, Navigators, at 2:01
4. Anthony Colby, Target Training, at 3:17
5. Phil Zajicek, Navigators, at 3:28
Women
1. Kristin Armstrong, Team Lipton, 12:51:00
2. Anne Samplonius, Team Biovail, at 2:27
3. Erinne Willock, Webcor, at 3:02
4. Rachel Heal, Victory Brewing, at 4:19
5. Dotsie Bausch, Colavita-Cooking Light, at 5:43
