Truckee, CA - The Sierra Nevada range of Northern California, the location of the annual Tour de Nez, is one of the most scenic landscapes in the world. Roman Kilun, Matt Cooke and Corey Collier all had views of the mountains from the best possible vantage point: the podium.

Kilun had the best view of all, twice ascending to the top step of the podium, earning his second win out of five stages in the finale Saturday, a 60-minute affair run on a stellar 3.1 km loop through the Northstar at Tahoe resort near Truckee, California.

The course threw just about everything at the riders: short power climbs, hairpin turns, a curving downhill run to the finish, and even a section of cobbles on the resort's main thoroughfare.

All three riders normally ride in support of teammates. Most recently, Kilun helped ensure Rory Sutherland's overall title at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. He proved that his trip there as a late replacement for Karl Menzies, who crashed during the second race of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown and is sidelined for several months, was well worth the effort.

En route to helping Sutherland win the NVGP, Kilun built his form, and it showed in the Tour de Nez's first stage criterium, where he placed sixth. Twenty-four hours later, he had his first career NRC win in Stage 3

As he did on his on his way to the win in Stage 3, Kilun joined what turned into the successful break of the day early in the race. After being out front with a slim lead for nearly 10 laps, Bissell sent across Aaron Olson, who, with a couple of teammates, helped drive the gap out over 30 seconds in an effort to get Olson the overall title.

Kilun knew at that point, his only job was to stay with Olson, who coming into the final laps was doing a lot of the work at the front. Coming into the last lap, Jon Baker (Vitamin Cottage), who finished second to Kilun in Stage 3, put in a hard attack in an attempt at the win.

"I chased down Baker, and then Aaron went to the front and I sat on him," Kilun said. "He was putting the hurt on everyone else in the break, but I just stuck to his wheel. I know he's strong, but he doesn't have a strong sprint. And he was more interested in keeping the time gap than the stage win."

So Kilun showed patience. He followed Olson up the last climb and came around the hairpin that led to the final curving downhill 300 meters still glued to his wheel. As the riders picked up speed, Kilun kept an eye on his rivals behind him to ensure there weren't any attacks.

When they hit 150 meters to go, Kilun jumped around Olson, who was starting to slow a bit, and headed for the apex of the curve on the left hand side of the road, forcing everyone else to try and come around him in the cross wind. The tactic worked, and once again he relegated Baker to second place.

Kilun's second NRC win also netted him the five-stage race's sprinter's jersey.

Cooke and Collier take their chances

Cooke and Collier started out the Health Net Presented by Maxxis podium parade in the Stage 2 climbing time trial at the Sierra at Tahoe resort Thursday morning.

The course, at under 3 km, climbed 192 meters, with grades averaging 14% for the trip up. At 130 pounds, Cooke was well suited for the climb, and took advantage, even though he admitted afterward he was a bit surprised at the result. Collier powered up to match Cooke's time, with both riders coming in at around 16 seconds back of stage winner, Ian McKissick (BMC).

After moving down a spot each overall after the evening criterium, which Kilun won, Friday's short but epic 100km road race set the stage for the battle for the overall title.

Cooke rode conservatively for much of the stage, sitting comfortably in the main pack, adorned in the purple King of the Mountains leader's jersey. As the race passed the mid-point, the main field was starting to fragment. What became the winning break had formed off the front, with eventual stage winner Eric Wohlberg (Symmetrics) driving the pace, and the chase group of all the main GC contenders not far behind.

"I really wanted to go for the overall win (Friday)," Cooke said, "but it didn't quite workout. The last three times up the climb, I went really hard try to soften up the other guys. But on the last time up, when (Andy) Bajadali (Kelley Benefits-Medifast) attacked, I didn't have the legs to go with him."

Instead, Cooke had to be content with sixth on the stage, and sixth overall for the race. Collier, who rode in support of Cooke's efforts, also put in a strong ride in Friday's stage to earn eighth place, and ninth place in the final overall classification.

"Even though it didn't quite work out according to plan, it was great to have the opportunity to race for our own results this weekend," Cooke said.

Well taken care of

In addition to offering up four days of good, hard racing, the Tour de Nez race organization also did an excellent job of taking care of the racers when they were off their bikes. Two primary sponsors of the race, Northstar at Tahoe and the Grand Sierra Hotel, site of the first stage in Reno, NV, provided lodging for the teams, as well as most of the meals. The great venues also brought out good crowds, with more than 5,000 people watching Kilun's Stage 3 win, and close to that number on hand at Northstar for his Stage 5 win.

"They took care of all of us really well," Kilun said. "The hotels were great and after the race Saturday there was a big party with plenty of food. It was a great race all around."