FAYETTEVILLE -- The Joe Martin Stage Race brought a number of top cyclists from around the world to Northwest Arkansas.
One returned for the 2018 edition of the race after reaching the pinnacle of success in the event several times over the years.
Lucas Sebastián Haedo, 34, of Argentina, has competed in major cycling events since 2005. He said he's competed in the Joe Martin Stage Race six or seven times, and he's finished first on the course three straight years going back to 2015.
"I know this stage," Haedo said. "I like Northwest Arkansas. We are always happy to come compete here."
Haedo placed 65th in Stage 1 on Thursday, which was 6 minutes, 56 seconds back from the eventual stage winner Ruben Companioni. Going into Stage 2 on Friday, a day where winds and rain proved to be a lingering threat, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling star said he simply wanted to put himself in a good position for the final day.
"For me, it's always good to win this thing," Haedo said before the race. "I just hope I can have good legs and put myself in a position to win. I want to do the same on the last day, too."
In both 2016 and 2017, Haedo finished first in Stage 2. He finished first in Stage 4 the year before. Teammate Jonathan Clarke, who finished 12th Friday, said the other UnitedHealthcare cyclists try to put Haedo in a position to finish on top.
"We have to put him in the breakaway," Clarke said. "It's kind of like a chess match. Other teams know that we like Sebastián for the stage, so they're going to play on that. If we don't have a rider in the breakaway, they're going to turn to us and say, 'well, it works because you have Sebastián.'"
Like many riders, Haedo began biking at a young age. He never thought he would be competing as a professional, he said, but the two-wheeled sport has become a family affair, as his brother Juan Jose Haedo competes professionally, as well.
"I started when I was like 4 years old," Haedo said. "I started racing more seriously when I was probably 13. Then I started racing for the national team, racing my amateur career in Europe and then started racing professionally here in the U.S."
Haedo has competed on the Grand Tour in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. He's raced for UnitedHealthcare since 2017
With two more days remaining to compete here, those close to Haedo said they think he is primed for a breakout performance.
"He has experience, he has the confidence," said Sebastian Alexander, a sporting director for UnitedHealthcare Cycling. "He's familiar with the roads and familiar with the race. That helps."
In the Pro Race for Joe Martin, cyclists compete on a 110-mile course that spans across Northwest Arkansas. The event started Thursday and is set to end Sunday, meaning riders have four days to compete on the same course.
For Haedo, the thrill of victory would be a welcomed feeling once again.
"It's always good to win, and I want to win the stages I compete in," Haedo said.
Today's Pro Men's time trial will begin at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday, the cyclists will race 30 laps starting at 3 p.m. in downtown Fayetteville.
Sports on 04/14/2018