Stephens wins third straight time trial

NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER -- Nicolas Masbourian, right, and Walter Trillini compete Thursday April 23, 2015 in the time trial portion of the Joe Martin Stage Race at Devils Den State Park. The annual event continues through Sunday with road races Friday and Saturday and criterium Sunday in downtown Fayetteville.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER -- Nicolas Masbourian, right, and Walter Trillini compete Thursday April 23, 2015 in the time trial portion of the Joe Martin Stage Race at Devils Den State Park. The annual event continues through Sunday with road races Friday and Saturday and criterium Sunday in downtown Fayetteville.

After winning both the individual and team titles at the Joe Martin Stage Races last year, Team Tibco SVB came in hoping for another big showing.

Thursday's time trials opened the four days of racing with a short, but grueling event at Devil's Den State Park. Racers took their best shot at a timed race over 2.7 miles of twisting, uphill road that rises at a steep grade of 6.8 percent.

At A Glance

38th Joe Martin Stage Race

Today

Dickson Street, Fayetteville (finish)

Road race

Pro Men 1^2 p.m.^110 miles

Pro Women 1/2^2:30 p.m.^64 miles

Men 1/2^1:15 p.m.^110 miles

Saturday

Amateur USAC-only time trial

At Devil’s Den State Park

Master Men Group B^8 a.m.^2.5 miles

All others^TBA^2.5 miles

Road race

In Prairie Grove

Pro Women 1/2^11:15 a.m.^63 miles

Master Men Group B^11:30 a.m.^40 miles

Men 4^11:40 a.m.^40 miles

Men 5^11:45 a.m.^40 miles

Women 3/4^11:50 a.m.^40 miles

Master Women 40-plus^11:50 a.m.^40 miles

Pro Men 1^2:45 p.m.^109 miles

Men 1/2^2:55 p.m.^86 miles

Master Men A^3 p.m.^63 miles

Men 3^3:10 p.m.^63 miles

Sunday

Criterium

Downtown Fayetteville

Women 3/4^7:45 a.m.^25 minutes

Master Women 40/50^8:20 a.m.^25 minutes

Men Cat 4^8:55 a.m.^35 minutes

Master Men A^9:40 a.m.^45 minutes

Master Men B^10:30 a.m.^35 minutes

Men 3^11:15 a.m.^45 minutes

Pro Women 1/2^12:10 p.m.^50 minutes

Cruiser Parade^1:15 p.m.^Parade lap

Kid’s Ride (ages 3-12)^1:15 p.m.

Pro Men 1^2 p.m.^85 minutes

Men 1/2^3:30 p.m.^50 minutes

Men 5^4:40 p.m.^25 minutes

For more detailed information, visit joemartinstagerace.…

Team Tibco's Lauren Stephens won the time trials last year and carried the momentum to a team title. Stephens also won the time trial in 2013.

She didn't disappoint on Thursday, winning the time trial for the third year in a row.

"I like this uphill time trial, it suits me," Stephens said. "We got the lead last year and were able to bring in a good strong team and all work together. Hopefully, we can do that again."

Pumping up the field this year is that women can earn points in the Union Cycliste Internationale America standings to go toward the national championships.

"There was a good field here last year, but it's twice as deep this year," Stephens said. "We've done well here at this race and I like to compete here, but it's going to be a tough couple of days of racing."

Today, the pro teams will start the road race. The women's course is 64 miles beginning in Cedarville and rising over 3,000 feet while the men will start in Farmington, then make a full circle down through Cedarville and Rudy and up old Highway 71 climbing more than 5,400 feet.

"It's a good course because it's hilly enough to be challenging, but it's not a full mountain course that would give a certain type of rider a big advantage," Team Tibco coach Ed Beamon said. "We've been looking to coming back here and competing with some great racers."

As teams move through the next three days they will be building strategy around their team leaders. Two days of road races will be followed by the Sunday criterium where cyclists will be racing around the Fayetteville city square and down Dickson Street.

"It's going to be a good course, challenging enough to create some drama," Beamon said. "The teams will have to work together and be in the right position and that's what this sport is about."

Stephens won a race earlier this year in Brazil and teammate Kendall Ryan is a strong rider that won the National Criterium Championship this year.

Stephens, who is from the Dallas area, said she is looking forward to her family coming up this weekend. Her husband, Mat Stephens, is competitor for Team Elevate and is also riding this week.

"This is one of the first big races I competed in and I have been back here every year," Stephens said. "It's nice to have a great event like the Joe Martin fairly close to home. I look forward to coming back here."

Sports on 04/24/2015

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