Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 7, 1990 TAG: 9005070338
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Nate Reiss, an amateur American rider won the stage, but France's Richard Vivien picked up a $1,000 bonus for his first-place finish up the 5 miles of Reeds Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the highest mountain encounter during the 13-stage, 1,100-mile odyssey.
And Wintergreen Resort was given the opportunity to present itself to a national and international audience via NBC television.
"This is fantastic," said Mark Glickman, director of public relations and advertising for the resort nestled at an elevation of more than 3,000 feet. "I wanted to get Wintergreen involved in an event of this national scope. From the marketing standpoint of being broadcast to 31 countries, this is perfect. Where else are you going to get that kind of exposure? It's invaluable."
The climb that ended at an elevation of 2,637 feet at Reeds Gap wasn't originally part of the race.
Glickman said his initial inquiries into having a stage come through Wintergreen were rebuffed.
"But NBC was planning a national broadcast of this stage and wanted a mountain climb for its Sunday audience," Glickman said. "Wintergreen was a natural as a point between Richmond and Charlottesville."
Wintergreen put up the $1,000 bonus for the "King of the Mountain" and spent a few thousand more for banners and other incidentals, but Glickman said the money was well spent.
"After this, everyone will know that Wintergreen is conveniently parked off of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia," he said.
Glickman said next year he could be interested in having a stage end at Wintergreen instead of just passing through it.
Compared to climbs that riders will face in events such as the Tour de France, the world's most illustrious bike race, Reeds Gap was relatively mild.
But a mountain is still a mountain. And after riding nearly 100 miles from the starting point in Richmond, the trek up the hill with a 15-degree grade was a struggle.
Vivien led a breakaway group that included countryman Philippe Casado and Reiss, who rides for team Subaru Montgomery. The trio entered the climb with a comfortable lead over the pack.
Vivien outpeddled Reiss to the top of the hill for the $1,000 bonus.
But it was a lead he couldn't hold. A second chase group caught up as they continued down the parkway.
While Vivien faded, however, Reiss didn't. Reiss, a 26-year-old from Boulder, Colo., pulled the biggest upset of the Tour by crossing the line first on Water Street in Charlottesville.
Reiss used a sprint in the last 50 meters to edge out professionals Raul Alcala and Atle Kvolsvoll, a Norwegian riding for Greg LeMond's "Z" Kickers team.
"Coming off the top of the mountain, I was sure the pack would be breathing down our necks," said Reiss. "The other lead climbers got us. It took a huge effort to stay with them. Vivien is a former world champion, and when he couldn't stay with them, I knew we were going very hard.
"I was very tired when they got me. After that I let them do most of the work up front and sat back.
Memo: correction