PRAIRIE GROVE - Lauren Stephens of Team Tibco began the day wearing the pink jersey as the women’s overall leader at the Joe Martin Stage Races, and she’ll be wearing it again today after winning the second road race stage Saturday.
Stephens, of Dallas, won the women’s Pro 1-2 category time trials Thursday and was fifth in Friday’s road race. She was joined by teammate Jo Kiesanowski, who finished second just a second or two behind Stephens, in Saturday’s road race.
“Jo and I were talking before the race and said, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we went 1-2?’ ” Stephens said. “That was kind of what we were hoping we could do, but you have to go out and do it. We got a lot of help from our teammates.”
The road race portions of the stage races require the most team strategy and discipline. While Stephens said specific strategies “are a secret” the team meets before the race to plot out which members will push for the lead and which will serve in a support role.
Team Tibco riders work together in a pack, pushing sprinters from the other teams at the front and jockeying for position on the final stretch. Team members try to protect their designated leader until she can sprint for the finish.
“I like hills, and this is a hilly course,” Stephens said. “We kind of go by who suits the course and what other riders are here. Jo sacrificed herself for me, and she still came in second. That’s a great ride.”
Scotti Wilborne-Lechuga of Little Rock, another member of Team Tibco, said it’s all about the team.
“You don’t mind sacrificing yourself when you are able to see your teammate up there on the podium,” said Wilborne-Lechuga, who along with her husband Ernie operate Leborne Coaching,which has a stable of strong amateurs in Little Rock. “In theory, we all will get a chance depending on the race so we take turns being in support.”
Kiesanowski, of New Zealand, said the today’s criterium will be a challenge for Team Tibco.
“It’s a very technical course with lots of turns and hills,” Kiesanowski said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Complicating matters is the prospect of severe weather.
“I just hope we don’t have any tornadoes,” Stephens said. “Most of my teammates have never seen a tornado. I am from Texas, so I have.
“I don’t recommend racing in one.”
Sports, Pages 34 on 04/27/2014