The Green Mountain Stage Race has been the proving ground for amateur races in the North East for 18 years now, seeing many an aspiring pros use GMSR as a spring board to the next level.
The picturesque small Vermont towns and roads play host to the race with locals almost as excited about the event as the racers themselves.
From cliff jumping, to Warren Store sandwiches, to dinner at Mad Taco, there is plenty of fun outside of racing to enjoy.
The race starts with a short 5.7-mile prologue TT. This year’s tail wind led to some incredibly fast times, including a new Men's course record by our very own Bryan Lewis.
If you’re smart, you took the time to grab a sandwich and maybe treat yourself to a baked good at the Warren Store. If you’re GMSR pro you head down to the creek for a post race soak as you snack down on your food.
Stage 2 departed from Randolph, VT and was the first opportunity to grab one of the points competition jerseys.
Even with a climb 10 miles from the finish the fast valley roads and fresh pavement kept most of the races together for exciting sprint finishes.
The Vermont locals came out again to support the race by providing Ice Cream, Beer, and fresh cooked corn just seconds from the finish line.
There may not be a more daunting, or rewarding race than the Mad River RR with the finish up App Gap and it’s punishing final 300m over 15%.
The race is often decided on the road to and up App Gap, with this year being no different.
The weather was great for racing, but cool temperatures and overcast skies thwarted the usual racer pilgrimage to the Warren Falls swimming hole for most.
The final day’s criterium in downtown Burlington is often a fan and racer favorite with it’s tight 6 corners and time bonuses keeping the race for the stage and the overall up for grabs.
If you can succeed over four hard days of racing you get to keep a custom GMSR Vermont Teddy Bear, a weekend of good memories, and sore tired legs.
Congrats to all the winners of the Overall, KOM, and Sprint jerseys! We had a great time supporting and being a part of this great event.
A huge thank you to Gary Kessler (Race Director), his entire staff, and the endless volunteers that work hard to turn this race into a success year after year. Thank you to all the support friends and family members that came out to help the racers in their journey. Thank you to Vermont locals for being so hospitable and making this event so memorable. We loved being a part of it!
