In one of the toughest stage races on the National Race Calendar, Gray and teammate Matt Landen continued their remarkable performances against a field of the nation’s top professionals at the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic.

In Thursday’s 79.5-mile race to the observatory at the summit of McKenzie pass, Gray outsprinted five others to take 14th place on the day, 56 seconds behind stage winner stage winner Ben Jacques-Maynes (Priority Health Cycling Team presented by Bissell).

After his 23rd place in Wednesday’s opening road race, the former University of Nebraska-Lincoln long distance runner is up to 17th in the overall standings.

“Today was incredible,” Gray said. “I did just as I planned, getting to the front at the base of the climb and holding wheels. The pace from the bottom was intense and the attacks every few minutes or so continued to shatter the field. A few riders had broken away near the bottom of the climb and we caught them with about five kilometers to go.”

Gray said he finally lost contact with the dwindling group of leaders – which now numbered fewer than 15 – but a false flat before the final upward pitch allowed him to regain his momentum with a couple pros.

“It levels off with about three kilometers to go and we started rotating,” Gray said. “I didn’t know if I was supposed to pull or not. It was so weird to be with the leaders. It was almost like I forgot how to race.”

Not far behind, Landen beat his goal of a top 50 placing with 40th on the day, 4:11 behind the stage winner and 3:15 down from Gray. He now stands in 45th place.

Friday is a double stage with the Stage 3 Bend Research, Inc.-Skyliners Time Trial in the morning. At 15 miles, it is double the distance it was last year. Friday night is the 90-minute Desert Orthopedics/Rebound Physical Therapy Criterium through the streets of Downtown Bend.

“I’d like to hang onto my place right where I am,” Gray said, “but I know there’s some good guys who can time trial who are right behind me.”