The course is only 12.5 miles (4.4 flat then abruptly climbing 2000’ for the remaining 8.1 miles). Our field took the flat at a very mellow pace, then the _ _ _ _ hit the fan as we started the climb. In about 1 minute, the lead group was down to 6. After about 5 minutes, a solo rider accelerated away from our group. I was monitoring just one guy and felt if the escapee was a threat to the guy I was watching that he would quickly close up the gap. He did not seem bothered so we rode on as 5 as the escapee disappeared from sight.