Mt Hood Cycling Classic - Stage 3 & 4 Women's Photos
Kurt Jambretz photo gallery of the women's race action in stage 3, Cooper Spur Circuit Race road race and stage 4 Scenic Gorge Time Trial. Updated Value Act Team Report

By Kurt Jambretz
All images copyright Kurt Jambretz Action Images

Stage 3 Kristin Sanders (Aaron's Corp Pro) solo break is foiled as she is caught by the chase group on the climb to the finish. Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

Katharine Carroll (Aarons Pro Cycling) turns ashes into fire and Solo's in for the Victory. Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

Stage 3 Podium: l-r Felicia Gomez and Katharine Carroll (Aarons Pro Cycling), and Julie Beveridge (Bicisport) Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

Stage 4 Scenic Gorge Time Trial - Two-time winner and defending champion Leah Goldstein (Symmetrics) puts her stamp on the race and wins the time-trial in forty-eight minutes and seven seconds with Beverley Harper (Webcor) coming second at fifty-nine seconds back and Katie Mactier (ValueAct) at one-minute and forty-four seconds. Read the Stage 4 report  

Leah Goldstein Symmetrics Undaunted by the windy conditions and steep climbs digs deep and lands on the top step of the podium. Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

l) Katie Mactier (ValueAct Capital) Removes her sunglasses as she prepares to enter the short tunnel. r) Felicia Gomez (Aarons Pro) looks determined and very comfortable on her 10th place ride. Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

l) Beverly Harper (Webcor Builders) Enjoying her ride on a her way to the second spot on the podium. r) Marni Hambleton (Symmetrics) fisplays great form and freshly painted nails on course today. Photo c. Kurt Jambretz Action Images

ValueAct Capital Report
Women Suffer Jersey loss; but Grab Another Podium Spot at Mt. Hood!
The ValueAct Capital Cycling Team faced tough competition as they tried to defend the yellow jersey on Stage 3 at Mt. Hood. Despite losing the jersey on Thursday, they claimed 3rd place in the Time Trial on Friday.

Thursday’s circuit race was an 18 mile loop, featuring a long gradual 6 mile climb, followed by a tough 3 mile ascent to the finish line. With 3.5 laps to conquer, the girls rode solid tempo on the first 2 laps; but the Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings team began a series of attacks, which the VAC ladies couldn’t follow. Eventually, Kristin Sanders (Aaron’s) managed to escape, and gained almost a minute on the chasing field. Mactier was left alone in the field, as the fatigue had set in on the other VAC women. With 1K to go, Sanders was caught; but it was Kat Carroll and Felicia Gomez from Aaron’s who rode away to victory. Carroll took the win, and gained enough time to claim the jersey. “The girls faught hard; and Martina covered the final attack before Kristin got away,” Mactier said. “But the battle isn’t over yet!”

Friday’s time trial featured a grueling 18.5 mile point to point course with 2,000 feet of climbing. Mactier was sitting in 3rd place on GC; and she new she had to give it all she had. Leah Goldstein (Symmetrics), the two-time defending champion here at Mt. Hood, claimed the victory, beating Beverly Harper (Webcor) by over 1 minute. Mactier claimed the final podium spot. General Classification has shifted quite a bit, with Goldstein in 1st; Harper in 2nd, and Mactier in 3rd.

Saturday’s stage is a 90 mile challenging loop with 9,500 feet of climbing. “The girls are ready for it,” said Mactier.

The ValueAct Capital Cycling Team is managed under the umbrella of Momentum Sports Group, LLC, which also manages the Health Net p/b Maxxis Cycling Team. Additional sponsors include Serotta Competition Bicycles, the Dubai International Financial Exchange, Reynolds, Speedplay, Rudy Project, Ritchey, Maxxis, fi'z:ik, Beljium Budder, Capoforma, Cytosport and the U.S. Women’s Cycling Development Program.

ValueAct Capital is one of the premier value-investing firms in the United States, taking large ownership positions in publicly-traded companies and then working closely with company management to generate strong returns. ValueAct Capital is excited to sponsor a dedicated, talented cycling team that embodies the firm’s own work ethic and drive for success.