June 24...
Stage 2 of the Lyle Pearson Classic was a Road Race between the cities of Eagle, Emmett and north of Star, Idaho.  The course was new and included two trips up the "Can-Ada Wall" a extremely steep section of road on the Canyon and Ada County line. 
 
The team had planned to keep it all together and during the race Ransom defended his lead valiently chasing down countless attacks.  Casella told Parker and Tagliabue to cover all the moves going into the second lap and for Ransom to counter after the steep climb to go on the offence and eliminatte or isolate the few people within reach of his lead.   Specialized-BODE team launched an attack with Chris Liby, covered by Parker.  Parker has a mechanical and up the Can-Ada climb Tagliabue sprints up the climb almost effortlessly up to the leader and sits on.  The only person who also brindge up was Michael Tobin of Team George's.
 
The new lead trip had Gonchi patroling for the attack from race leader which never came and as he sat on Liby and Tobin drove it around the course before Liby blew on the run in back to the climb.  A few kilometers from the line Gonchi now without team leader Ransom in the frame decides ont he stage win and attcks Tobin.  Tobin closed and counters up the Can-Ada wall.  Gonzalo digs as deep as he can to keep Tobin at bay and just manages to hang on at the top before countering himself to ride in alone for the Stage win!  Ramsom finished with the group and dropped to third overall. 
 
Gonchi said afterwards "This is great to win, but Tobin was just so strong I thought he had me up the climb.  Thats even after pulling me around all lap long!  he is a tough competitor and a good sportsman as he knew I was doing my work for Eric, but he never brindges up.  I decided on going for the stage after I knew Eric would not catch on with about 5 km remaining.  My job here was to help Eric, but I'll take the win.  Thank you iomega, Orbea our sponsors and and Gary for theoir supprt and believening in me."
 
With the next stage cancelled to bad weather Ransom finished 3rd overall for the event.