Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) took the first stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic on Wednesday. Emerging from an 18-man group made up almost entirely of Toyota-United, Navigators and Health Net Maxxis riders, Wherry rode steadily up a steep, mile-long climb to the summit of Pilot Butte, a scenic overlook just outside downtown Bend. Sergey Lagutin (Navigators) and Jeff Louder (Health Net-Maxxis) finished second and third respectively, only seconds behind.

The 91-mile Ironhorse-Brooks Resources Prineville road race started out calmly with only one escapee, Gordon McCauley (Successful Living), gaining a maximum advantage of six minutes.

At the 55-mile mark the peloton hit the race’s main obstacle, a grinding three-mile climb. However, on the descent the roughly 100-rider peloton came back together, setting the stage for a showdown on the course’s vicious crosswind section.

With 20 miles to go the field took a left-hand turn into a strong cross-tail wind blowing across Oregon’s high desert country. Navigators, Health Net-Maxxis and Toyota-United battled to form an echelon at the front, effectively shredding the field.

"All three teams basically had the same idea," Wherry said. "We all got together and just drove it into the crosswinds. I think there was six, maybe seven guys from each team and that was all."

Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe’s) was the only rider not from one of the three teams to make the front group.

The riders worked cohesively, building an advantage of more than a minute on the next chasing group, before hitting the base of Pilot Butte, where they would drag race to decide a winner.

Cesar Grajales (Navigators) attacked first, immediately dropping the likes of Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis) and J.J. Haedo (Toyota-United). Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) was next to counter, bringing teammate Wherry along with him and creating a gap to the struggling Scott Moninger and Nathan O’Neil (Health Net-Maxxis).

But as Baldwin faded, eventually finishing fourth, Wherry maintained a steady pace, taking the win, the overall lead and the king of the mountains jersey in the process.

The five-day stage race continues on Thursday, when the pro women’s field also begins racing.

Results (unofficial)
1. Chris Wherry (Toyota-United)
2. Sergey Lagutin (Navigators)
3. Jeff Louder (Health Net-Maxxis)