In a new twist in the pro women’s race, the winner of the Mt Hood Time Trial did not take over the general classification at the Mt Hood Cycling Classic.

As in previous years, Leah Goldstein (ValueAct) put in the best time, stopping the clock at 43:01 with an average speed of 24.83 mph (39.95 kmph). Best Young Rider Julie Beveridge (Aaron’s) crossed the line with a time slower by seven seconds and Jeannie Longo (River City Racing) was eighteen seconds back.

“It’s one of my favorite time trials, I came a few days early and I actually rode that course a few times just to know the corners and the wind not so bad like it was last year. I’m not such a daredevil, I don’t take chances, I don’t go into bars on corners and stuff, just because the stability on the bike because of the calm conditions just made me more confident to be more aero and tucked. I felt good from the beginning, when I woke up this morning I felt pretty good, I had a good feeling about the ride today.” said Goldstein.

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The ValueAct Capital Professional Women’s Cycling Team came to Mt Hood Cycling Classic with the aim of getting rider Leah Goldstein on the top step of the podium for the fourth-time. In a row.

Last year, while riding for the Symmetrics team, Goldstein along with one and only one teammate Marni Hambleton, took the yellow jersey on the fourth stage, the time trial and successfully defended against onslaught of attacks, especially from the Aaron’s Women Pro Cycling Team. Ironically, Goldstein took the yellow jersey from the ValueAct team.

Leah Goldstein (ValueAct) powering through the Mt Hood prologue, photo c. Lyne Lamoureux

Goldstein and Hambleton joined ValueAct in 2008, and with a full squad of 6 riders, the team is ready to go to work a Hood. Joining Goldstein and Hambleton are Lara Kroepsch, Emily Zell, Martina Patella and Sharon Allpress.

I caught up with the team prior to the start of the prologue to get their thoughts on the upcoming race.

“Last year we were really in the yellow jersey for 3 of the 5 stages with Katie [Mactier]. Last year, we were a first year team, a young team and we learned a lot, we made mistakes, I think this race is going to be an opportunity for us to show that we’ve learned from those mistakes and that we’ve learned to control a race more effectively.” said Patella about the lessons learned from last year.

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