The 27th edition of La Vuelta de Bisbee stage race (LVDB) will be held from April 22-24, 2005. This three-day, four-stage event features an uphill time-trial prologue, two road stages and a time trial. The senior men, Pro 1-2, riders will cover more than 175 miles of racing and 10,000 feet of climbing, while the senior women and master men will cover slightly less distance and climbing.
The high-desert terrain of Southeastern Arizona with its rural highways that lace through mountainous desert canyons and slope down and away from the historic mining town has drawn racers to Bisbee since 1976. LVDB boasts past winners such as Greg Lemond (who won as a 16-year old in 1978), Bob Cooke (1977, 79), Alexi Grewal (1992), Scott Moninger and Jeannie Longo (2002) and most recently, Davide Frattini and Lynn Gaggioli (2004).
The race's location is also attractive for racers making an early-season, west coast swing. It proceeds the NRC-ranked Redlands and Sea Otter stage races (held west of Arizona), comes one week before the Tour of the Gila (a 2.5 hour drive east to Silver City, New Mexico).
The Stages
LVDB opens with a tough time trial that gains 837 feet of elevation in just 2.8 miles. The three stages that follow will test competitors climbing, sprinting, and time-trialing skills. If this race has not sorted itself by Sunday, the final stage features an extended uphill finish (5 miles at 6%) uphill climb, with two category 3 climbs in the last 15 miles.
Prologue - Friday, April 22: Mule Pass Individual Time Trial, 2.8 miles (all)
Stage 1 - Saturday, April 23: Sulphur Springs Road Race, 79 miles (Pro 1-2 Men)
Stage 2 - Saturday April 23: Warren Time Trial, 8.3 miles (all)
Stage 3 - Sunday, April 24: Tombstone Road Race, 87 miles (Pro 1-2 Men)
More information: www.lavueltadebisbee.us
