Athens cycling team looking for climbing win in Tour de Georgia

<p>An Athens team hopes to climb its way to a stage win in next months Tour de Georgia with the help of a Colombian cyclist, even if its doesnt take the overall prize.</p><p>The Jittery Joes is looking to Cesar Grajales for an edge in the race, which begins April 20 in Macon.</p><p>Grajales beat five-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong last September for King of the Mountain honors at the T-Mobile International in San Francisco. The 32-year-old Armstrong plans to race in the Tour de Georgia, which could draw a million spectators statewide to the six-day event.</p><p>Jittery Joes director Micah Rice said Tuesday the team is looking for stage wins in the race _ specifically Stage 6.</p><p>Stage 6 starts in Athens on April 24. It will conclude on top of Brasstown Bald Mountain, which at 4,784 feet is Georgias tallest peak.</p><p>It could be Cesar on top of Brasstown, Rice said. This stage starts in Athens and theres going to be a very special rider looking for another shot at (Armstrong) on top of Brasstown.</p><p>Stage 6 will start on Prince Avenue and head via U.S. Highway 129 through Gainesville to Cleveland. Riders will eventually turn along the Georgia-North Carolina border before heading south to circle Brasstown Bald.</p><p>The riders in the stage will race for 127 miles.</p><p>Tour de Georgia director Stan Holme said Stage 6 will be a challenge for all riders.</p><p>Its very European and very difficult, Holme said. It will be a fabulous day.</p><p>The Tour de Georgia is being billed as the largest multi-day stage race for pro cyclists in North America. It is expected to be an economic boon for the state, more so this year because of Armstrongs participation.</p><p>___</p><p>Information from: Athens Banner-Herald</p>

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