Longest Running Bicycle Stage Race In Our Own Backyards

Early April marked the 30th Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic (RBC) in Redlands and surrounding cities, making it the longest running stage race in American bike racing. RBC brings in professional athletes to compete from around the world, and has a reputation of being the race "Where Legends are Born." The yearly event started out as a campaign to bring the community together, bringing awareness about downtown Redlands, and fundraising opportunities for local service clubs, such as the Kiwanis, the Boy Scouts of America, and Rotary Club. This year, the RBC was presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The race kicked off its first stage in Highland, where the community was happy to see RBC back since its last time there in 2003. The circuit race Women’s Stage 1 results placed Lauren Stephens of Team Tibco in first as Karol Ann Canuel of Specialized-Lululemon landed in second place. Leah Kirchmann of Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies got the third place position for the stage. Dion Smith of Hincapie Sportswear Development was the first place male winner for first circuit, as James Oram came in 2nd, riding for Bissell Development Team. William Routley of Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies followed in third. The second day began at 11:30 a.m. with the women's Big Bear Time Trial. Alison Powers of United Healthcare got first place for the stage, as Leah Kirchmann of Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies finished in 2nd and Tayler Wiles of Specialized Lululemon got 3rd. In the men’s field, Tom Zirbel for the Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies finished in first, making up for finishing in 2nd last year. Serghei Tvetcov of Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis got second place, while Samuel Snipe-Grove of Incycle-Predator Components took the third place position. Stage 3 of the RBC took place in Beaumont with another circuit race in which Leah Kirchmann got first place for Stage 3 women's field. Lauren Stephens of Team Tibco was not far behind, and Tayler Wiles of Specialized Lululemon finished in 3rd position. The men's field stage victory went to Travis McCabe of Smart Stop with Ty Magner of Hincapie Sportswear Development and Sergio Hernandez of Incycle –Predator Components in 2nd and 3rd respectively. The stage race continued on Saturday in Downtown Redlands for the 4th stage, with Leah Kirchmann winning first, followed by Alison Powers of United Healthcare in 2nd and Joanne Kiesanowski of Team Tibco in 3rd. Men's field winners for the stage were Pierrick Naud of Garneau Quebecor, Bobby Lea of SoCalcycling.com/Craig Shelly, and Eloy Teruel of Team Jamis Hagens Berman P/B Sutter Home in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The final stage in Redlands came to a climactic conclusion with the overall men's field first place going to Joseph Rosskopf of Hincapie Sportswear Development, James Oram Bissell Development Team in second, and Travis McCabe Smart Shop in 3rd place. The women's field went to Lululemon, Mara Abbott United Healthcare in second and Leah Kirchmann Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies in third. As soon as this year's event was over, the all-volunteer Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee began their work in planning out the following year's event. The Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee is an organization that seeks to promote cycling and its benefits in Redlands.