March 4/12 11:08 am - MERCO Cycling Classic Stage Race: Women Stage 2

Posted by Editoress on 03/4/12
 

MERCO Cycling Classic Stage Race:  Stage 2 report and results

The sun was blazing and so was the pace at the McDonalds Downtown Grand Prix, the women raced for 32 laps on the one mile technical downtown Merced course. Typically this race is used as an opener for the spring European races and attracts the top U.S based women's teams, this year was certainly no different. A strong field which included additional women entered for single day racing pulled up to the start.

From the gun the battle ensued. As Dave Towle remarked this was 'old school fury in Pain City, USA' with attack after attack. Exergy TWENTY12, Armstrong, Tamayo, Wiles, McGrath, Schnider, Rivera and Neimanas covered every move, Lululemon and Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies were extremely active trying to overthrow the Exergy armada. Although Kristin won yesterdays time trial by 55 seconds there was only one point separating each placing, so different tactics are employed when racing an omnium and final positioning was critical. After non stop breaks, attacks and chases, the field came into the final laps together. Ina Teutenberg won the sprint with two Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies riders in 2nd and 3rd, Exergy TWENTY12 Coryn Rivera was 4th and Kristin Armstrong 5th, leaving her in yellow but only separating her from 2nd place by one point.


"After we collectively controlled the fast paced crit well, I sprinted to 4th" commented Rivera, "and Kristin is still in the yellow jersey. It was an absolute brilliant day all around. Fancy that!"

This is not a typical year in the women's peloton, with the London Olympics on the horizon and Exergy Development Group paving the way for equality for women's racing, the female athletes are motivated, fired up and making noise on and off the bikes, today's race was an aggressive race and people are talking.

Sunday's deciding stage the picturesque Hill Top Ranch Road Race will be a full on Central Valley battle.

Report courtesy Exergy 2012

Stage 1