June 19/11 10:13 am - Banff National Park Bike Fest: Women's Stage 2, 3 and Final GC UPDATED

Posted by Editoress on 06/19/11
 

Results from the final 2 stages of the Banff National Park Bike Fest

Stage 2, Day 3 First order of double-stage day: Individual Time Trial around Lake Minnewanka Loop 

The riders were greeted with partially sunny skies as they prepared for the start of the Stage 2 Individual Time Trial on this double-stage Saturday at the Banff National Park Bike Fest. It was a welcome change from Friday's rain but with a stiff breeze coming from the west, all racers would have another obstacle to contend with as they tackled the tough 21km Lake Minnewanka Loop, just outside of Banff.

In the Elite Women's category, Laura Brown (Local Ride/Dr. Vie Superfoods+) had a 6-second lead over Pepper Harlton (Team Alberta) in the overall GC, and with both riders having experience on this course, it was shaping up to be a battle of supremacy for the fastest time. "My game plan going in was not to go too hard at the start and focus my energy on the hills and the rest of the course. Last year Julie Beveridge beat me here by only one second - so never, never, never soft pedal," commented Brown as she warmed up on her rollers.

When the dust settled at the finish, it was all Brown. She passed Harlton who started one minute ahead to finish with a time of 30:17.6 and all but secured the overall win heading into the evening's 26-lap Criterium in downtown Banff. "It was hard," said Brown post-race. "The wind was hitting you on the climb and with a head wind on the last few km's, I finished the race with my tongue hanging out."  In second was Kristine Brynjolfson (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes) with a time of 31:44.5 to take over third place on the GC, while Harlton settled for third on the day in 31:57.8 and is second overall.


Downtown Banff Criterium

On the heels of the morning’s Individual Time Trial, the second stage of the day at the Banff National Park Bike Fest, the Banff Criterium, once again provided loads of fun and exceptional racing in the streets of downtown Banff.


First up were two popular community events which again were heavily supported by locals and visitors alike. The Kids Crit presented a fun romp down Banff Avenue by riders of the future, followed by a raucous Cruiser Crit, featuring costumed riders with the likes of Queen Elizabeth, Yeti and a Rhino hunter, plus the Banff versus Canmore Mayor's race.


The evening’s signature Criterium course raced through the heart of town featuring a hairpin corner soon after the start followed by four more corners and a final long straightaway down Banff Avenue back to the start/finish, comprising a fast and technical 1km loop. A light rain moistened the track at the beginning, but not enough to slow the course and make corners too dangerous. The majesty of Banff’s two iconic peaks, Cascade Mountain and Rundle Mountain, provided views as exhilarating as the race itself.


The Open Women’s Crit was the final event of their 4-stage race. While the overall GC seemed a virtual lock for Laura Brown (Local Ride/Dr. Vie Superfoods+), there were still opportunities for riders to vie for the podium. Pepper Harlton (Team Alberta) was hanging on to second overall with a 2-second lead over Kristine Bryjolfson (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Home).


"My teammates have slight Crit anxiety, but they are ready to lay it down," commented Harlton as she warmed up. In the Trek Red Truck camp, there was similar anticipation. "We have a plan that complements our strengths. The Trek girls are fired up," said a pumped up Naomi Cooper.

The pre-race hype did not disappoint. The women took off like a runaway freight train with Steph Roorda and Laura Brown leading the way. With nine women in the lead group and all teams in the running, they lapped the majority of the field after seven laps, paving a clear path for the remainder of the race. It all came down to a sprint to the finish with Alberta native Harlton overtaking Roorda for the win, leaving Cooper in third.

"I was happy we were aggressive in this race to defend our lead. Finishing second was great and we got the overall," commented Roorda after the race. Brown won the GC title followed by Harlton in second and Bryjolfson in third.

Report courtesy Banff Lake Louise Tourism