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In the Pits: Colorado Classic women’s race

Photo essay from the start and roadside of stage 4 of the Women's Colorado Classic.

August 19, 2018 Dan Cavallari

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Rally — Rally’s Emma white plays DJ before the start of Stage 3. One of her teammates accused her of playing Nickleback. White denied the allegations. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Rally — Rally’s Abby Mickey warmed up before stage 3. The women’s race fought through some wet weather early on in the stage, making for some treacherous cornering. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Team — The team paddock was mostly quiet before stage 3, but the intensity was palpable. Teams met informally on coolers or in folding chairs to discuss strategy for the day. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Team — As the drizzle began before stage 3, teams took to the vans to hold team meetings and discuss strategy. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Katie — UHC’s Katie Hall took the top step of the podium at the end of the Colorado Classic. She rode this Orbea Orca on her way to victory. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Katie — Like many pros, Hall has taken to the newest trend in saddles: short and wide. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Katie — We’ve finally come to a place in bicycle design in which the women’s bikes are largely the same as the men’s bike, just in smaller sizes and different touch points. Hall’s handlebars, for example, appear to be quite a bit narrower than most men’s bars. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Jen — Jen Tetrick was quick to point out the efficiency and power of the Shimano disc brakes on her Fuji Supreme. She said they offer much better control, especially heading into corners. Tetrick has been racing on discs all season. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Feedback — Amy D. Foundation riders warm up on Feedback Sports trainers before stage 3. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Eleanor — Amy D.’s Eleanor Valez had, hands down, the coolest-looking bike at the Colorado Classic. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Eleanor — The hot pink bike features a leopard-print fork, among other awesome bits of flair. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Eleanor — A jarring combo that just works. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Eleanor — A testament to the grit of the women’s peloton, Valez’s sprinter buttons are surrounded by some pink repair tape. You do the best you can with the resources you’re given. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Top — You gotta work toward something. Might as well be donuts. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Woof. — Amy D.’s unofficial mascot and bouncer took issue with this VeloNews photographer. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Don't — Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Self-supported — Yes, there were support cars during the women’s race too. But it’s always good to be prepared. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Colorado — UHC’s Katie Hall defended her GC lead to take the overall win. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Colorado — The peloton winds its way past Coors Field in Denver. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Break — The wide downtown streets offered ample opportunity for breakways, though the peloton largely stayed together throughout the stage. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Colorado — The race was marked by aggressive riding as riders attempted to break away. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

Colorado — A small move formed but was eventually brought to heel by the teams of the sprinters. Photo: Dan Cavallari : VeloNews.com

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