Rachel McBride wins the Cascade Gravel Grinder, a three-day stage race
On April 28th, Rachel McBride took the overall win at the Cascade Gravel Grinder in Central Oregon, USA. The three-day gravel stage race began with an 8K time trial outside of Bend. McBride won stage one by 25 seconds, ahead of Morgon Cabot of Glotman Simpson Cycling. After the effort, McBride took to her Instagram account to recap stage one; “Pretty surprised that these Ironman-trained legs could knock off a speedy 5 mile, 15min effort.” Steph Corker (Canadian professional triathlete) also took part in the Gravel Grinder. She finished sixth on stage one.
Related: Switching aero for gravel (for spring)
Despite a crash and a few stitches on day two, McBride maintained her overall lead in the women’s omnium division and took the overall stage win by 11:30 over Nicole Pressprich of Point S Racing. On stage three, McBride completed the hat-trick – winning the final stage and overall race. “Perfect score to take the Omnium,” said McBride on Instagram. “Barely grabbed the win again today at Cascade Gravel Grinder with Sarah Max hot on my heels. Also, congrats to my buddy Nicole Pressprich for riding consistently strong all weekend to nail third.”
Following the three-day stage race, McBride did a 65-minute run off the bike at Ironman goal pace – averaging 4:34/km. The Canauck is expected to make her season debut on May 12th at Ironman 70.3 Pays d’Aix. She will be doing her first full-distance triathlon of the season at Ironman Lanzarote – “the toughest Ironman in the world.”
