Winner of race through Idaho mountains: ‘I didn’t anticipate it would be that steep’

German road race champ Ina Yoko Teutenberg won today’s third stage in the Exergy Tour, a 57.8-mile women’s cycling road race from Crouch to Idaho City with 4,520 feet of climbing through the mountains. “I didn’t anticipate it would be that steep. The mountains took a lot out of my legs,” Teutenberg said at the post-race press conference. Finishing just half a wheel back in second place was Canadian Leah Kirchmann, with U.S. rider Megan Guarnier placing third. A loud and enthusiastic crowd greeted the riders at the finish in Idaho City; the ride included ascending Mores Creek Summit, which had snow earlier in the morning.

Today’s win propelled Teutenberg from fourth overall for the tour to second place, nine seconds back from tour leader Amber Neben of the United States. Evelyn Stevens, who like Neben is a U.S. Olympic hopeful for this summer’s games in London, is third overall.

Tomorrow’s final stage is a 46.6-mile road race both starting and ending at Hyde Park in Boise; the pre-race festivities kick off with live music at 10 a.m., and the race starts at 11 and is expected to finish around 1 p.m.; entertainment and family activities are planned until 2:30, including the awarding of the overall trophy. There’s more info at exergytour.com .