Wearing the green jersey as the leader of the Points Competition, Sara Bergen won stage three of the Cascade Cycling Classic with a powerful drive to the line ahead of breakaway companions Kate Buss (Team Tibco) and Emma Grant (Colavita-Bianchi). Sara Poidevin finished fourth to close within 16 seconds of the leader’s yellow jersey and maintain her lead in the Best Young Rider competition.

“It feels great to take home the win," said Bergen. “I have been chasing a UCI win all year! Having ridden well at Nationals and BC Superweek, I knew that if I played my cards well I could be a danger. We are fighting for the yellow jersey and having me up in the overall general classification will give us more options and flexibility to draw out our competition. We are going to race aggressively, and go for both points and time bonuses.”

Sara Bergen on the top step of the stage three podium

Rally Cycling dominated the race by placing Bergen, Amy Benner and Heidi Franz in the day’s 13-rider breakaway. Benner and Franz drove the pace into the final 10-kilometer climb before Bergen went on the attack. Her efforts shattered the group with only Buss and Grant able to follow. With the peloton closing in, Bergen launched her final move for the line with 500 meters to go. Her final acceleration saw her cross the line five seconds clear of her breakaway companions. Behind Bergen, Poidevin powered off the front of the peloton to grab fourth, and gain precious time in the general classification fight.

In the men’s race, Evan Huffman finished 15th to maintain his third overall in the general classification. The race continues on Saturday with the stage four criterium. The team will look to put either Brad Huff or Pierrick Naud in a position for the stage win. On Sunday, Rally Cycling will dedicate themselves to placing Huffman on the top step of the final podium.

Cascade Cycling Classic Stage Three | Women
1. Sara Bergen (Rally Cycling)
2. Kathryn Buss (Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank)
3. Emma Grant (Colavita/Bianchi)
4. Sara Poidevin (Rally Cycling)
5. Heidi Franz (Rally Cycling)
6. Allie Dragoo (Sho-Air TWENTY20)
7. Kaitlin Antonneau (Cylance)
8. Kirsti Lay (Rally Cycling)
9. Tarah Cole (Hagens Berman Supermint)
10. Jasmin Duehring (Sho-Air TWENTY20)

General Classification After Stage 3 | Women
1. Allie Dragoo (Sho-Air TWENTY20)
2. Sara Poidevin (Rally Cycling)
3. Jasmin Duehring (Sho-Air TWENTY20)
4. Sara Bergen (Rally Cycling)
5. Jennifer Valente (Sho-Air TWENTY20)
6. Kirsti Lay (Rally Cycling)
7. Whitney Allison (Colavita/Bianchi)
8. Julie Emmerman (Visit Dallas DNA)
9. Jennifer Luebke (Visit Dallas DNA)
10. Emma Grant (Colavita/Bianchi)

General Classification After Stage 3 | Men
1. Gavin Mannion (UnitedHealthcare)
2. Robin Carpenter (Holowesko / Citadel)
3. Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling)
4. Daniel Eaton (UnitedHealthcare)
5. Serghei Tvetcov (Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis)
6. Alexander Cataford (UnitedHealthcare)
7. Peter Stetina (USA National Team)
8. Nigel Ellsay (Silber)
9. Travis Samuel (H&R Block)
10. Cameron Piper (USA National Team)