Team VBF’s Farina Wins At Rock Hill Criterium; Hall Takes 2nd At Menlo Park GP
Team Vera Bradley Foundation continues its early season success by taking podiums on both coasts
By Lisa Hunt
Team Vera Bradley Foundation continued their dominance of women's racing by grabbing the podium on both coasts this past weekend. Robin Farina (above) took the victory at the Rock Hill criterium on Sunday, while Lauren Hall sprinted to second place out of a small breakaway group at the Hippstar Menlo Park GP.
On a warm, sunny day in South Carolina, Farina broke away from the field on the first lap. But the field responded quickly, as riders from the BMW-Bianchi team chased her down and brought her back. After numerous attacks, a breakaway formed with Farina working hard to increase the gap. But it wasn't long after that when she attacked the break and soloed on for the remaining laps, and lapped the field. "I felt really good today," said Farina. "There are a lot of strong women racing here and it was a very aggressive race. This is great preparation for Sunny King."
Meanwhile, the weather in Northern California didn't quite cooperate for Lauren Hall and teammate, Alison Testroete. The stormy conditions were not ideal, but a strong field of 40 women, including Peanut Butter & Co/Twenty12's Shelley Evans and Olivia Dillon and TIBCO's Alison Starnes, Amanda Miller and Kristin LaSasso and Rebecca Much, were there to contest the race. From the gun, Evans strung out the field, keeping the pace high. After a flurry of attacks, a break of 5 got a gap. In the break were Evans, Team VBF's Hall, TIBCO's Starnes and Much and Touchstone Climbing's Mary Maroon.
"We got a sizeable gap very quickly," said Hall. "I knew I needed to keep an eye on Shelley, as she's in great form coming off track worlds." The 5 worked very well together, but since TIBCO was without a sprinter, they began attacking the break. "I just followed wheels, knowing that Shelley would be the strongest sprinter." In the end, Evans charged ahead of Hall, taking the win. Touchstone's Maroon took 3rd.
The team will be splitting squads this coming weekend, with Alison Powers, Alison Testroete and Lauren Hall heading to Monterey, CA for the Sea Otter Classic; and Robin Farina, Erica Allar, Carla Swart and Carrie Cash traveling to Anniston, AL for the Sunny King criterium.
Watch for updates on the team's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Photos: © Brian Hodes/VeloImages (top)
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