FAYETTEVILLE -- Eric Haynes' day started off bad and got worse.

Haynes of Boston Mountain Cyclists Racing Team showed up with just few minutes to spare before getting disqualified at the start of the Men's Cat 1 Amateur Division Road Race on Friday, and was at the end of the pack as the racers pulled out and got in line to race 105 miles in about 4 1/2 hours.

Haynes, who started the day as No.13 overall in his division of the Joe Martin Stage Races in Thursday's Time Trials at Devil's Den, but drifted back in the pack to 47th after a disappointing finish.

"I had some communications problems with my wife and just didn't get out in time to get here," Haynes said. "'Then I started running pretty good and we were right there with the lead back about Mt. Gaylor coming back up the mountain and my hamstring started cramping so bad I had to get off the bike and walk for a little bit. I don't usually have those problems, I don't know, it was just one of those things."

Originally from Conway, Haynes lives in Springfield, Mo., and trains with the other Ozark Mountain Cyclists as much as possible.

"It was a bad day, but there is still a lot of racing left," Haynes said. "Last year I made up time on Saturday to 4th overall and finished 3rd overall after the Criterium. So I am still working toward that."

Haynes and teammate Gerald Drummond, 20, of Springdale, are a handful of racers with a local connection taking on some of the elite racers in the country and internationally.

The Ozark Mountain Cyclist, sponsored by Walmart, compete in the highest Amateur division, just a cut below the pros.

"This is one of the top races in the country, and its awesome for us to have it here in our backyard," Drummond said. "We train over these roads so it gives us a little edge. But we are going up against some amazing competition."

Drummond said he was in his first year of road racing after spending about four years racing mountain bikes.

"Road racing is little different for sure, but it seems like I have a knack for it," Drummond said. "Your going to be spending a lot of time alone on your bike training and in competition and you have to be able to focus and concentrate."

On Friday, Drummond was assigned the rule of "support rider" to help Haynes maximize his run.

"If someone tries a breakaway, I have to go out and chase him down so Eric can keep his pace," Drummond said. "I enjoy that role. It's all about teamwork and making sure we get the best time for the team."

When Haynes had to drop back, Drummond gave it his best push to the finish and moved up to 39th overall.

"I was there with the lead pack running with some great riders," Drummond said. "This is my first time to run in the Joe Martin in this category and I'm just going to get it my best shot."

Women's Division

Laura Stephens, 27, of Dallas was all smiles at the podium on Friday as she donned the pink jersey in the morning and afternoon that signifies she was the overall leader in points. Drummon won Thursday's time trials and was 5th in the Friday road race.

"I love this race, this is the only one I have been to all six years since I starting competing," Stephens said. "I won the time trials in Cat 3 (low amateur division) the first year I came out and I have always loved this course."

Stephens was third overall at last year's JMSR and both she and her team, Tibco, have their eyes on the first-place prize this time.

Stephen teammate Patrica Swagger of Switzerland on the Friday road race and the Tibco team is in good position going into the weekend at No.2 overall.

"I was running with the lead pack and I just got a good break on position and I went with it," Swagger said. "You have to be in the right spot at the right time and take advantage of it."

"Its really about the team, but I think we have a good chance," Stephens said. "Most of these teams know each other from competing around the country. You have to get in a good position and then come out and run a good race to win it Sunday in the Criterium."

Sports on 04/26/2014