June 17/16 11:44 am - NorthStar GP Women: Stage 3

Posted by Editoress on 06/17/16
 

Stage 2 criterium cancelled due to crashes

Officials called off the St. Paul Criterium after two major crashes caused a delay in race proceedings Wednesday evening. Just two laps of the 1.2km circuit remained when the second pile up in the first turn forced race officials and team directors to make the joint decision.

Race leader Brianna Walle (Team Tibco) said the majority of the riders agreed with the call.

"It made sense to me," Walle said after the race. "Both crashes were pretty bad. There was so much disarray and nerves that it was safer to call it quits. There were still people down on the road, so it was a good decision."

Despite gaps forming in the field in the latter part of the race, the overall favorites were together before the stage was nullified. UHC and Tibco had formed lead out trains at the front were set up to deliver their sprinters to the line.


Rivera wins Cannon Falls Road Race

UnitedHeathcare's Coryn Rivera showed the pro women's field a clean pair of heels today at the North Star Grand Prix in Cannon Falls. The 71-time national champion won by more a bike length ahead of Kimberly Wells (Colavita-Bianchi) and Erica Allar (Rally Cycling) after 71 miles of racing through Eastern Minnesota farmland.

"The circuits were fast and hard so that was good for us," Rivera said. "We were able to come together as a team at the end and I was happy to seal the deal."

Samantha Schneider (ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI) and Joelle Numainville (North Memorial Health Care) rounded out the top five.

Before racing got underway, a major crash in the men's field caused long delays for the women, which caused officials to shorten Stage 3 by 12 miles. When racing resumed, the action started at mile 17 when Ellen Watters (SPBRC) attempted to break free of the peloton. Watters gained a maximum of 10 seconds over a few miles, however no one seemed keen on bridging up to the solo rider who eventually went back to the pack. However her efforts weren't all for naught - Watters was awarded the Surly Most Aggressive jersey at the end of the stage.

From then on, the field was content to ride together. Team Tibco controlled the pace for the race leader, Brianna Walle and no rider was willing to take their chances off the front for the rest of the stage.

"We controlled and represented at the front today, mostly to stay safe," Walle said. "Tomorrow will be a good stage for us. We want to keep the lead margin."

On the way toward Cannon Falls, Erica Allar picked up enough points (10) to put her in the Sport Beans Queen of the Hills jersey and Sophie MacKay (Supermint-Hagens Berman) followed suit in the K'ul Chocolate sprint competition.

When the field reached the four final circuits around Cannon Falls, the pace rose considerably. UHC and IS Corp were active at the front until 2 laps to go, when Tibco swarmed the blue train and took over proceedings. With just one lap remaining, best young rider leader Lauretta Hanson (Colavita/Bianchi) went to the front to lead out her teammate, Wells.

"We lost control of it and Kimberly had to jump a lot earlier than she would have liked to, but overall we're happy with 2nd place," Hanson said, adding her team pleased to be high in GC.

She's currently in 3rd place and her teammate, Gretchen Stumhofer is sitting in fourth.

"We have a dynamic squad so it depends on the day as to who can do well, Hanson said. "We're looking to Stillwater and always have our eyes open for a stage win."

In the overall competition, Walle remains in yellow heading into stage 4.
Reports courtesy NorthStar Bike festival

Top Canadian is Joelle Numainville (North Memorial Health Care) sitting 9th overall