Allar Third in Beaufort; Second Overall in Speedweek Crit Series
Beaufort, SC - Erica Allar opened the Speedweek Crit Series in Athens, GA with a third place finish at the Terrapin Twilight criterium. She repeated the effort today in Beaufort, SC taking third place behind Rushlee Buchanan (Colavita/Baci) and Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Colavita/Baci) . The pair of thirds along with her 9th place finish in Roswell, GA on Sunday has launched her into second overall in the Speedweek Crit Series behind Cliff-Ryan.
With most of her teammates in Silver City, NM preparing for the SRAM Tour of the Gila, Allar is joined by Carrie Cash for the series of crits in the Southeast. The Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic marks the tour's third stop in four days.
The criterium in Beaufort was dynamic from the start. Allar conserved her energy in the field as Colavita repeatedly launched attacks. Ten laps in, Buchanan attacked on a prime lap. The field allowed the gap to grow to 25 seconds before bringing her back.
Attacks continued throughout the race with nothing sticking until a gap opened up shortly before the mid-point of the race. The split allowed a breakway group of 10 riders to form. Allar made the front group but sat on when the Colavita trio in her break sent Buchanan up the road once again. “Colavita had the numbers, and it was clear that even if we caught Buchanan, they would counter,” said Allar. “When I only have one teammate, I need to be careful about where I put in efforts. It didn’t make sense to work to bring Rushlee back when there were so many Colavita girls in the break.”
When Buchanan’s second solo effort proved to be the winning move, the front group turned chase group sat up to rejoin the pack. Allar turned her attention to the field sprint. She honed in on those sitting close to her in the overall and chose to stay close to Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) and Sam Schneider (TIBCO) in the final laps. Allar finished second in the field sprint behind Cliff-Ryan to take third in the evening’s race.
“I’m happy with second runner-up,” says Allar. “But, I’d really like to win a race here this week.”
Allar and Cash, who felt the effects of allergies today after a strong showing in both Athens and Roswell, will travel to Walterboro, SC tomorrow for the fourth race in the Speedweek Crit Series.
Watch for updates on the team's Twitter and Facebook pages
Photo: ©Brian Hodes/VeloImages
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