Memorial Day weekend represented no holiday from racing for the women of Team Bobs-Bicycles.com, as they faced the regional Treasure Valley Stage Race just one week after returning from the grueling Mount Hood Cycling Classic. There was no confusion about the team goals, as laid out by directeur sportif Jeanne Rumps: take the top three places in each stage and the top three places in GC. The straightforward, if lofty, objectives were accomplished through excellent teamwork and selfless racing by the strong lady riders.

The elite women fielded a squad of four for the early start of the Snake River Valley Road Race on Saturday morning. Jenn Halladay, Allison Beall, Ally Stacher, and Sarah Barber exchanged concerned looks at the start line, as each was questioning the post-Hood status of her legs. Out-of-area women riders from two different teams posed an unknown challenge, added to the known challenge of a 75 mile hilly race, mixed in with the Masters A men. At the start of the race, Halladay wisely reminded her teammates that any personal strategy could dissolve amidst aggressive tactics from the larger men's teams. Thus, the most effective team plan was to ride as if racing the men, following wheels and responding to surgers in effort to be included in any breakaway group that got away. True to form, Halladay, Barber, and Stacher proved strong enough to make the selection on the second climb, riding away from the remaining women's field. Hours later, Hallady led out Stacher for a decisive victory, and Barber and Halladay rolled for second and third, respectively. Beall, forced to sit on wheels of chasers, followed in fifth place, knowing she could make up time in the TT later the same day.

Sure enough, after a solid lunch in Marsing and a 30-minute downpour, the ladies of Team Bobs-Bicycles.com emerged from their shelter and prepared to dominate the 10-mile afternoon time trial. It's unusual and certainly extremely difficult to race a relatively long time trial after such a long road stage in the morning; legs are fatigued and the mental will needed for intense solo efforts is rarely at full capacity. However, Beall rode tough for the TT win, literally putting minutes into her competitors. Barber fought hard for second place, with Halladay closely following in third. Stacher stomped into fifth, keeping her GC secure with minimal time lost.

Sunday afternoon presented the 50-minute Belle District Criterium in downtown Nampa. Without Halladay in tow, not one of the remaining Team Bobs-Bicycles.com riders felt they could accurately claim to be a good sprinter. So Barber, Beall, and Stacher decided to avoid a sprint finish at all costs, choosing instead to do the early work required to get at least one teammate off the front for a solo victory. Focusing on prime laps, Stacher took a flyer to win some cash and in the process opened  quite a gap. Beall and Barber rested behind the field, which chased steadily but without the speed to close the gap. Seeing an opportunity, Beall encouraged Barber to attempt a bridge, which was quickly successful. With two up the road, Beall relaxed at the back while Barber and Stacher traded pulls to grow the gap. Just as Barber and Stacher prepared to lap the field, Beall jumped hard and continued solo for the remainder of the race, snagging primes and avoiding s sprint for third place. Meanwhile, Stacher sent Barber for the win and rolled happily to second place.

The Treasure Valley Stage Race was a fun, challenging, and well-run event that offered something for everyone. Congratulations to race director and promoter Vernon Padaca for making it happen--we hope to help recruit even more participants for next year! Thanks also to key race sponsor Market Limone, a fabulous store and restaurant in downtown Nampa, filled with exquisite edibles.