Redlands Bicycle Classic in full swing
Weekend races, rides, and family fun roll on through Sunday.
The five-stage Redlands Bicycle Classic began in earnest Wednesday and Thursday and concludes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
It all began on Wednesday with the Time Trials at Lake Perris.
On the women’s side, Alia Shafi rode to victory for Fount Cycling with a time of 25:04 to earn the first yellow classification jersey of the Week. Her teammates joined her on the podium, sweeping Stage 1 with Jennifer Wheeler finishing second in 25:28 and Marjorie Rinaldo in third (25:43).
“Compared to last year, I felt a little bit more comfortable,” Shafi said via the Redlands Bicycle Classic site. “I knew I could make a little time, and I had a plan; I think I executed it well.”
For the men, Joseph Laverick of Good Guys Racing NYC nabbed the win in 21:50, one of only two sub-22 minute finishes. The other was Hugo Scala Jr. of Project Echelon Racing who finished in 21:58.
Thursday as the temperatures began to rise around the Inland Empire, riders tackled the Onyx Summit. It began at Hangar 24 in Redlands and ended on Highway 38 at Onyx Summit.
Shafi took first among the women in 3:21:34, followed by Kira Payer of SpeedBlock pb Terun in 3:21:38, and Sidney Swierenga of TaG Cycling Race Team in 3:22:02.
Owen Cole of Team Winston Salem was the first male finisher in 3:33.28, followed by Richard Amopol of Project Echelon in 3:33.50, and Luke Elphinstone of Kelly Benefits Cycling in 3:34:01.
Friday features the Sand Canyon Circuit Race which starts and finishes on Sand Canyon Road, north of Crafton Hills Drive. The women’s race begins at 8:30 a.m. and is 41.4 miles and the men’s race begins at 10:40 a.m. and is 55.2 miles.
Saturday the city of Redlands takes center stage with the Stater Bros. Charities Public Races and the School Duel, as well as the Legends’ Fondo. The School Duel is for area school children and the Legends’ Fondo is for recreational riders.
The criterium for women begins at 2:20 p.m. and the men at 4 p.m.
It all wraps up Sunday with a 5k run and fun walk at 7 a.m., followed by the Sunset Road Race with the women (68.1 miles) starting at 10 a.m. and the men (91.1 miles) at 2 p.m.
The event is expected to attract 35,000 participants and spectators.
More information: redlandsclassic.com.
