April 19/08 7:31 am - Wrubleski Leads Women's Prestige Cycling Series

Posted by Editoress on 04/19/08
 

Wrubleski Leads Women's Prestige Cycling Series
Courtesy David LaPorte

Mara Abbott (High Road) seemed well on her way to defending her double win of the Individual and Best Young Rider classifications in the 2007 Women's Prestige Cycling Series at the 2008 Series kickoff at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. She cruised to an impressive 25 second win in an 11 minute time trial on the opening day. Alex Wrubleski (Webcor) narrowed the gap from 29 to 19 seconds with a second place finish in the Beaumont Circuit race, moving from 5th to 3rd overall. Then another second place in the Redlands criterium brought her to 2nd overall, within 11 seconds of Abbott. Wrubleski delivered the coup de gras at the Sunset Road Race, where her win gave her a one second margin over Abbott.

"With a history of close finishes at Redlands (a one-second win in 2005 as well), Webcor devised a gutsy plan of attack to risk it all for the win rather then defend Alex's second place", wrote team director Karen Brems in a post-race E mail. "This success came despite having four riders suffer broken bones in the last six week."

Wrubleski's win, and the steady way she did it by strong performances in three consecutive stages of the Redlands Bicycle Classic, have marked the young Canadian as the rider to watch in the North American women's circuit for 2008. And the rider for the future, possibly challenging the rock star status that Abbott achieved in the 2008 season.

Wrubleski's dominance is emphasized by the number of jerseys that she claimed on that fateful Sunday at Redlands. By the time the podium ceremonies were complete, she was wearing the Redlands leader's, sprinter's and climber's jerseys along with the individual, best young rider and sprinter's jerseys for the Women's Prestige Cycling Series.

The current leaders in the Women's Prestige Cycling Series are:

Individual Classification

1. Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2. Mara Abbott, High Road
3. Katharine Carroll, Aaron's
4. Leigh Hobson, Cheerwine
5. Kim Anderson, High Road

Best Young Rider

1. Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2. Mara Abbott, High Road
3. Tiffany Cromwell, Colavita/Sutter/Cooking Light
4. Julie Beveridge, Aaron's
5. Alison Testroete, Aaron's

Sprinter

1. Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2. Katharine Carroll, Aaron's
3. Leigh Hobson, Cheerwine
4. Anne Samplonius, Cheerwine
5. Kim Anderson, High Road

Team

1. Webcor Builders Cycling Team
2. Team High Road
3. Aaron's Women's Pro Cyclng
4. Cheerwine Cycling
5. Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light

The Women's Prestige Cycling Series continues in June at the Nature Valley Grand Prix on June 11 - 15 followed by the grand finale at the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational on August 2.