Stage 5 was held in Springfield, OH. (Saturday 6/23). Today's stage was a 40 mile crit. The course was a flat 1k 4 corner loop.
This stage was again controlled by A&F. They were interested in keeping it together for a sprint finish to protect the leaders jersey of Hekman and the sprinters jersey of Aledia. With this obvious plan the other racers weren't about to roll over and allow A&F to carry this out uncontested. Attacks were launched thoughout the race by various teams. Initially A&F brought every move back but then switched strategies and had riders individually cover every attempted move and just sit on. This strategy worked because no attempt gained more than 15 seconds. In the end the yellow jersey of Hekman was the final leadout for Aledia to take stage 6.
A&F swept the 3 main jerseys of this years Tour of Ohio. Tim Swain (A&F) took the KOM jersey, Hekman (A&F) the leaders yellow jersey and Aledia (A&F) the green spinters jersey.
Stage 6 Results
1 Marco Aledia (A&F) 1:11:52 (20 sec time bonus)
2 Steven Scholzen (IS Corp) st (10 sec time bonus)
3 Jamie Gandara (Colavita) st (5 sec time bonus)
FINAL GC standings
1 Mark Hekman (A&F) 10:09:37
2 Dewey Dickey (Mercy Specialized) +20"
3 Josh England (A&F) +1:10
Cyclingnews.com - Aledia scores bookend victories, Hekman finishes in yellow
Stage 6 Rider Comments
Merk Hekman's Blog (A&F)
Steve Cummings' Blog (GPOA Meredith)
Seth Meyer's Blog (Get a Grip)
Stage 5 was held in Yellow Springs, OH. (Friday 6/22). Today's stage was 4 laps of an 11 mile circuit. The course included a short steep climb each lap.
The race was fast, averaging just over 26 mph. A&F set a high tempo protecting the leaders jersey and discouraging attacks. A&F was able to bring back all attacks and keep the field together for a field sprint. But it didn't go totally to plan for them. There leadout lost control in the final long straight line to the finish. At this point no team was able to control the run in, so it became a free for all. Jamie Gandara (Colavita) was able to take advantage of the confusion and take his first stage win of the tour. Tim Swain (A&F) maintains the KOM jersey, Hekman (A&F) holds the leaders yellow jersey and Aledia (A&F) the green spinters jersey.
Stage 5 Results
1 Jamie Gandara (Colavita) 1:34:51 (20 sec time bonus)
2 Molly Cameron (Organic Athletes) st (10 sec time bonus)
3 Michael Chauner (PA Lightning) st (5 sec time bonus)
GC following Stage 5
1 Mark Hekman (A&F) 8:57:45
2 Dewey Dickey (Mercy Specialized) +20"
3 Josh England (A&F) +1:10
Cyclingnews.com - Gandara takes stage sprint, Hekman retains yellow
Springfield News-Sun - Abercrombie tough to beat
Stage 5 Rider Comments
Steve Cummings' Blog (GPOA Meredith)
Molly Cameron's Blog (Organic Athletes)
Noah Singer's Blog (Mercy Cycling Team)
