Tour of Ohio races through

GAMBIER — The Bikesource Tour of Ohio launched its five-stage, four-town race in Gambier on Tuesday as 68 professional cyclists pedaled across some of Knox County’s most scenic roads.

After embarking from the starting line at the corner of Gaskin Avenue and Wiggin Street, the Men Professional 1-3 category 1 cyclists endured a five-lap course that totaled 51 miles and included two main hills — Baker Hill and Gambier Hill.

Californian Billy Innes crossed the finish line first at 1:57:21 and captured the yellow jersey for the race’s opening stage. Close behind Innes were Toyota United’s Joshua Thornton and Texas Roadhouse’s Paul Martin.

“I didn’t realize Ohio is as hilly as it is,” said Innes, who rides for the G.S. Lombardi Sports team. “It was a rough race. I have raced in Ohio before, but not for a couple of years. I was really happy to come out here and it was a lot of fun.”

Innes was part of a pack of five cyclists who set the race’s pace throughout the five laps. Innes then made his move on Thornton and Martin up the final hill, and the effort paid off with a first-place finish.

“It was an interesting race,” Innes said. “There were a lot of little attacks and I knew that nothing was going to really go until about halfway through. ... There were five of us rolling through together until about half a lap to go, and then three of us on the last backstretch. I was able to get them at the uphill sprint, which is what I like to do.”

The course routed through Porter Road, Glen Road, Albert Lane and Baker Road before connecting with County Road 54 and part of Ohio 229. The cyclists then ventured onto Duff Street and went past the new Kenyon Athletic Center before concluding near Gambier Hill. Safety and police vehicles escorted the participants, and a number of local citizens and summer Kenyon College students came out to watch the race.

“I think it was very successful,” said Gambier Mayor Kirk Emmert. “We didn’t know exactly what to expect since this is the first time we have had it, but I think it went very well. It was a lot of fun and very exciting to see all of the racers come out to Gambier.

“We were very pleased with the turnout. Hopefully we can have them back again next year and can do it again.”

The Bikesource Tour of Ohio’s second stage will begin today in Logan, and the third stage will be held in Somerset on Thursday. The tour’s fourth and fifth stages will be raced in Granville, with the five-day event concluding Saturday afternoon.

Additional Top 10 finishers, placing fourth through 10th, respectively, were Peter Fairbanks (Bianchi/Grand Performance), Graham Howard (Priority Health), Duane Dickey (Bianchi/Grand Performance), Andy Applegate (A&F pb Inferno Cycling Team), Fred Reindenbach (NCVC), Mike Busa (Texas Roadhouse) and Sterling Magnell (Toyota United).