Cycling classic rolls through Sisters

Sisters residents got a taste of professional cycling as the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic (CCC) rolled through town last Wednesday in its annual stage race over the McKenzie Pass and ending at Three Creeks Sno-Park.

Road cycling is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it spectator sport, since the competitors whoosh past at speeds over 30 miles an hour, but that didn't deter dozens of locals from lining the streets and roadways around Sisters to catch a glimpse of some of the nation's best cyclists.

In fact, the field included an Olympic gold medalist. Kristin Armstrong, who won the stage, and brought home a time-trial gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. Armstrong, trailing a group of three riders by about two minutes when she entered Sisters, eventually caught the breakaway riders on the uphill of Three Creek Road for the victory.

Armstrong completed the 74-mile course in 3:24:42, which was 24 seconds ahead of the second finisher.

Francisco Mancebo of Spain outsprinted Bend's Ian Boswell to capture the men's professional title in 2:58:11.

Three local women worked as volunteers on Pine Street, helping direct traffic for the racers and their support vehicles.

"This corner was a good spot," said Sue Yocum, an avid cyclist and owner of Black Crater Clothing. "I'm planning to do this again next year."

The Cascade Cycling Classic, in its 33rd year, is known as the longest continuously running stage race in America. It consists of four stages: road race, time trial, a circuit race, and a criterium.

Mancebo won the overall men's title for the second straight year. Alison Powers of Pineville, Colorado, won for the women after Armstrong, the heavy favorite, withdrew a day early to leave for London, where she will attempt to defend her Olympic title.