Ruiter tops Oregon women again, Land Rover caught behind crash in Cascade stage 2

BEND -- It was a rough day for riders with Oregon connections at the Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend.

Land Rover/ORBEA finished en masse near the end of the field after getting caught behind a big crash going through Sisters. Rider Jim Camut was best-placed at 42nd, 2:43 down on stage winner Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing). The best young rider jersey now goes to Garmin's Peter Stetina, who made it into a late break and was the only escapee to hang on when climbing specialists Sevilla and Chris Baldwin bridged. Stetina and Sevilla soon dropped Baldwin, who was caught and passed for third by Sevilla's teammate Francisco Mancebo.

Former OBRA standout Aaron Olson (Oakley/Sidi) finished 50th on the stage. Kennett Peterson (team Oregon) crossed the line 69th. Ten Speed Drive's Josh Liberles came in 79th of the 182 who started the stage. Ryan Mckean of Bend Bike N Sport came in 131st. Ryan Trebon, riding at Cascade with Rideclean p/b Patentit.com, finished 136th, 12:31 down. Salem's Omer Kem (Bissell Pro Cycling Team) finished 138th after a tough day on the front of the field trying to control the race for teammate and overall leader Ben Jacques-Maynes.

When all was said and done, five riders finished after the time cut and are not allowed to start stage 3. Four men did not finish stage 2.

Women

Bend's Chrissy Ruiter (Value Act Capital) followed up her third place on Tuesday with a fourth on Wednesday. Ruiter led a chase for stage winner Evelyn Stevens (Webcor Builders) and Cath Cheatley (Colvatia Sutter Home), who took first and second. Ruiters teammate Kristin Mcgrath was third.

Bend Bike N Sport's Teri Sheasby (pictured) was 21st up the climb to the finish, two minutes and five seconds down on the leaders. Hood River's Alice Pennington (Veloforma) continued her solid performance, crossing the line 27th. Pennington's teammate Robin Secrist, winner of the Cherry Blossom Classic in April, finished 38th. Vanderkitten Racing's Melissa Sanborn finished 51st. Portland's Kelly Benjamin (Colavita Sutter Home/Cooking Light) finished 81st, just ahead of fellow Oregonian Hilary Billington of Lip Smackers, who put in yeoman's work chasing, closing gaps, setting pace, leading out her sprinter for green jersey points and then sitting up for the finishing climb. Ninety-seven riders started the stage. Two women finished after the time cut and four dropped out.

Complete results are posted HERE.

RACE NOTES:

Some people may not be feeling very welcome in Oregon. A day after getting hit with a $300 littering fine on stage one, Rock Racing manager Lorenzo LaPage managed to get the team car banned from the race caravan after stage two. The incident that tipped the scales reportedly involved some choice words, gestures and the careening of a large black-and-red Cadillac at another team car.

And Team Type 1's Michael Creed seems to be in his own secret competition for a jersey given to the rider with the most cumulative fines, piling up $100 in the past two days.

From the official race communique:

Men after stage 2
Due to repeated incidents of Dangerous Driving, the Rock Racing Team vehicle is eliminated from further participation in the team caravan.
Rider 16, Michael Creed, Team Type I, is fined $60 for indiscriminate tossing of 3 water bottles. He is also fined $20 for failure to wear his body numbers. (Creed was fined on stage one for not signing in).

Women Following Stage 2
Warnings:
Team Group Health for follower leaning out of the vehicle.
Fines:
$45 CREE Russell of Team Veloforma for non-regulation supply of refreshments.
$20 Rider 344 RILEY Jadine for non-regulation supply of refreshments.

Check VeloNews.com for complete Cascade Classic reports and more Cycling Action photos.