The 28th annual La Vuelta de Bisbee got under way Friday afternoon with the Mule Pass Prologue. Uncharacteristically cool weather greeted the cyclists for the 2.8-mile climb, but a stiff headwind on the course erased any thoughts of a course record despite the mild temperatures.

Felicia Gomez (Webcor) starts her successful prologue

Photo: Mason Ibas

Phil Zajicek (Navigators) posted a time of 10.25 in the elite men’s division to take the top spot on general classification. Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) stands three seconds back, with Corey Collier (Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) eight seconds down.

The women’s prologue saw Felicia Gomez (Webcor) put 15 seconds on second placed Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail), and 44 seconds on Mari Holden (T-Mobile) in third.

Mari Holden (T-Mobile) looks ahead to a successful start to LVDB

Photo: Mason Ibas

Saturday is a double-stage day, beginning with the Sulphur Springs Road Race (79 miles) in the morning, and the Warren Time Trial in the afternoon.

La Vuelta de Bisbee
Mule Pass Prologue
Men
1. Phil Zajicek, Navigators, 10:25
2. Jeremy Powers, Jelly Belly, at 0:03
3. Corey Collier, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, at 0:08
4. Daniel Vaillancourt, CCB-VW-Time, at 0:12
5. Drew Miller, Successful Living, at 0:13
5. Jonathan Garcia, Team Einstein's, same time
7. Curtis Gunn, Successful Living, at 0:14
8. Kevin Rowe, California Giant , at 0:18
8. Joey Thompson, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, s.t.
10. David Nelson, Landis-Trek-VW, at 0:23

Women
1. Felicia Gomez, Webcor, 12:12
2. Anne Samplonius, Team Biovail, at 0:15
3. Mari Holden, T-Mobile, at 0:44
4. Maatje Benassi, Excel Sports, at 0:46
5. Dara Marks-Marino, Titus-Kenda, at 0:53
6. Gabriela Gonzalez-Ferrat, Hi-Tech-5-Star, at 00:59
7. Michelle Beltran, Cheerwine Cycling, at 1:19
7. Stéphanie Bourbeau, Team Biovail, same time
9. Sarah Bamberger, Cheerwine Cycling, at 1:21
10. Lisa Hunt, Olympic Club, at 1:34

Complete results