SRAM Tour of the Gila 2012 Wrap-up

We can tie a bow on the latest SRAM Tour of the Gila. The iconic race centered in Silver City, NM, did what it always does, featured great racing with modern champions as well as introduce us to a number of future hopefuls. For SRAM it was a showcase of SRAM componentry, specifically new SRAM RED-2012.

For the GC, the 2012 version had some late drama in the men’s race, with a breakaway getting nearly six minutes, and containing a new virtual leader until the final 15k. Race leader Rory Sutherland and his United Healthcare team took the reigns in the final miles, dropping a good portion of the field, as well as eliminating the advantage of the early move.

For the women, it was the Kristin Armstrong (Exergy-TWENTY12) show, taking four of five stages and winning by nearly seven minutes. The 2008 Olympic Champion (Individual TT) and 2012 Olympic hopeful is in a class by herself and looks to be on track for London.

Overall winners Sutherland and Armstrong were among the few riders equipped with SRAM’s new RED-2012 gruppo. Second place overall – and no longer a surprise – Joe Dombrowski, also rode SRAM RED-2012, along with his final stage winning 1-2 teammates, Ian Boswell and Lawson Craddock (Bontrager-LIVESTRONG).

“The braking, shifting, and quiet are amazing,” said Boswell post final stage, “the speed of the front shifting, and the fact that there is no trim, was an advantage, especially on the climbs.”

SRAM would like to thank the entire community of this race for allowing us to be a part, as well as our athletes, who showcased our componentry on every stage.