Reigning time trial world champion Amber Neben (Dare To Be Project) seized the first leader's jersey of the 2017 Redlands Bicycle Classic on Wednesday, winning the opening Green Spot Time Trial ahead of Leah Thomas (Sho-Air Twenty20) and current USA Cycling Pro Road Tour leader Ruth Winder (UnitedHealthcare).
Neben covered the 11.3km course in 16:25, nearly half a minute better than the time of 2016 winner and Olympic champion Kristin Armstrong, who rode a 16:54 in last year's wet and windy weather. Neben faced nearly perfect conditions on Wednesday, lining up in her rainbow skin suit and setting a monstrous pace over the out-and-back course after starting seventh from last.
"I had no idea what to expect. After the turnaround I was afraid I wasn't fast enough, I was a little under geared, but I was fast enough going out so it worked out," Neben said. "It's good to get the win the first day. Because of the stage swaps, I think the racing will be aggressive because no one is waiting for anything. For me, I was gunning for the time trial, the rest is cherry on top if it happens."
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Neben will take an 18-second lead into stage 2 over Thomas with the women's peloton to cover 105.7km from Yucaipa to Oak Glen.
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