Neben, Mancebo Top Time Trials to Open 27th Redlands Bicycle Classic in 90-Degree Heat

The 27th Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic opened Thursday with individual time trials on a 3.1-mile, uphill course in Redlands, and two veterans took top honors in temperatures near 90 degrees.

Amber Neben, 36, of Lake Forest, was the top women's finisher with a time of 11 minutes, 12.44 seconds. Francisco Mancebo, 35, of Spain, had the men's fastest time at 9:39:69.

"Obviously we're happy, and a little bit surprised," said Mancebo's team manager, Gordon Fraser. "Francisco's not known as a time trial specialist.

"But the course was hard enough that a climber could succeed. And he's one of the best climbers in the Classic this year. We look forward to defending our place tomorrow in Beaumont."

Neben, who won the Redlands Bicycle Classic in 2006 and 2007, said Thursday was her fifth time winning the Classic's opening event.

"The course itself, it was very difficult, gradually uphill and then a bit of climb," Neben said. "It's tricky to pace yourself.

"I think the heat was a shock to everybody's system," Neben said. "All of a sudden it's like 90 degrees and your body's not as efficient at cooling. You just feel the stress of the effort that much more."

The other top women's finishers were:

2. Evelyn Stevens 11:20:80

3. Erinne Willock 11:25:07

4. Andrea Dvorak 11:42:47

5. Kristen Armstrong 11:46:43

The other top men's finishers were:

2. Ben Jacques-Maynes 9:40:90

3. Chris Baldwin 9:42:58

4. Andy Jacques-Maynes 9:48:83

5. Luis Amaran 9:49:90

The time trials started at 10:40 a.m. for women and 12:10 p.m. for men. Riders began at 30 second intervals, according to race officials.

The event, which began on Highland Avenue east of Redlands Boulevard and finished on Sunset Drive near Panorama Point, was set up to test riders' hill-climbing ability.

The results Thursday determined event leaders in the Beaumont road races on Friday, race director Eric Reiser said.

Road racing begins Friday with Stage 1 of the Classic in Beaumont. The start and finish are at 6th Street east of Beaumont Avenue.

- PossAbilities Handcycle Circuit Road Race starts at 7:45 a.m.

- City of Beaumont Circuit Road Race for Men starts at 9:15 a.m.

- City of Beaumont Circuit Road Race for Women starts at 9:25 a.m.

The circuit loop in Beaumont covers 24.1 miles. Men will ride 5 laps to total 120.5 miles, and women will ride 3 laps to total 72.3 miles, according to race officials.

More information is available at www.ci.beaumont.ca.us and www.redlandsclassic.com.