Triple Crankset » Women

Team Vera Bradley Foundation Takes Over USA Crits Series Lead

Lenny B — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:43:01 +0000

Allar sprints to 2nd at Iron Hill Twilight; Cash and Roettger contest NRC's Grand Cycling Classic

Erica Allar set her sights on the USA Crits Series overall leader’s jersey after finishing third at Athens Terrapin Twilights. Allar raced Athens, the first of the five races that make up the women’s series, in April. Three months later, she sprinted to second at the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium in West Chester, PA and snagged the leader’s jersey. “I’m excited have the jersey,” said Allar. “I can’t pretend I didn’t want to win the race, but the jersey was the main objective. I’m happy to have the jersey heading into Presby [Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium] which is a hometown race.”

“The crowds were absolutely phenomenal,” noted Allar. “There were thousands and thousands and thousands of people out there tonight. It was awesome.” The women’s field treated the spectators to fireworks. The New Zealand National Team, Bike NZ, brought four riders to the race. “They had the numbers,” explained Allar, “I believe they were the pursuit team. It was pretty apparent that they wanted to get someone off the front, and with their track racing background, I knew that if they got someone off solo, they could stay away. This put solo riders like myself on the defensive.”

The four-corner criterium covered .8 miles with a long home and back stretch separated by two short one-block stretches. “The course was not a sleigh ride,” commented Allar. “The short blocks kept the pace very high, and turns three and four were pretty technical. Especially turn three.”

Allar reports that she went from the gun. Her initial goal was to keep the pace high in an effort to thin out the field. “On the first lap, I went to the front, and I drilled it,” said Allar. “It was an aggressive move.” Allar reports that she remained active throughout the race as she covered repeated attacks from Bike NZ and various solo riders. “Unfortunately because Bike NZ had the numbers, I couldn’t cover absolutely everything,” she said. “I covered and covered and covered some more. Lauren Ellis (Bike NZ) got off the front while I took a moment to recover, so I wasn’t able to cover that particular move. In the end, that was the move that stuck.

In the race for second, Allar took control of the final lap. She lead through the final two turns. “I felt that it was necessary to go through corner three first,” explained Allar. “It was so technical. The final stretch was well over 300m, so I held off winding up until I saw Sarah Caravella (Team CARD) moving up on the right. That’s when I knew to kick it for the [field sprint] win.” Caravella rounded out the podium for third.

Two races remain in the USA Crits Series. Erica Allar will look to defend the leader’s jersey with a full Team Vera Bradley Foundation squad at Presbyterian Hospital Invitation Criterium in Charlotte, NC. The women’s edition of USA Crits Series concludes at Chris Thater Memorial in Binghamton, NY.

While Allar put her stamp on the USA Crits Series, Carrie Cash and guest rider (and team designer) Chris Roettger turned their attention the NRC circuit. The Grand Cycling Classic in Grand Rapids, MI drew a small but formidable field that included four riders from TIBCO, Cath Cheatley (Colavita-Baci) and Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom).

Cash described the race as “active, aggressive and fast-paced.” Attacks were frequent but no break gained more than ten seconds. “We could always see the break going into a turn,” explained Cash. “Each break was within striking distance. We wanted to be in moves but with just us, we had be selective with what we could cover. Chris [Roettger] went with Meredith [Miller] (TIBCO) once, and that got shut down pretty quickly. Later she launched on her own, and Meredith brought her back. Jo [Kiesanowski] (TIBCO) timed her attack perfectly, and when Cath [Cheatley] joined her, I knew that we might have just seen the winning move go up the road.”

Cash’s instincts were right. The breakaway duo of Kiesanowski and Cheatley proved to be the right combination, and the field began to prepare to sprint for third. Cash describes a chaotic finish. “With two to go, I moved into the top five,” said Cash. “Meredith lit it up on the front and peeled off after the final corner. Laura [Van Gilder] launched with 300 meters to go. Nicole [Freedman] (Wheelworks Racing) had attacked with three turns to go. I thought we soaked her up going into the last turn, but she was on the right side all way against the barriers. I somehow just missed her.”

Van Gilder won the field sprint for the final podium spot. Freedman narrowly beat out Cash for fourth place. Cash ended the day in fifth. Roettger took eighth.

With the sprinters handling the big criteriums of the day, three other Team Vera Bradley Foundation riders contested local races. Carla Swart won the road race at the Piney Flats Omnium in Piney Flats, TN. Alison Powers and Anne Samplonious went fourth and fifth at the North Boulder Criterium in Boulder, CO.

Next on the NRC calendar for the team will be the Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend, OR on July 20-25.

USA, USA, USA! Abbott Makes History, Evans Takes Finale – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 10

Lenny B — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:43:49 +0000

On Sunday, Shelley Evans (US National Team) claimed Stage 10 of the 21st Giro Donne ahead of Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam) and Giorgia Bronzini (Gauss RDZ Ormu), respectively. Evans' victory capped off a remarkable run of four successive wins by the US National Team and by Americans, in general, in what will long be remembered as America's first Giro Donne.

Mara Abbott (US National Team), Evans' teammate on the US domestic squad, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12, became the first American to win the Italian stage race in its 21-year history. Abbott, supported by the likes of former World Champion, Amber Neben, Carmen Small, Theresa Cliff-Ryan, and Evans, along with rising young stars such as US National U23 Road Champion, Sinead Miller, Amanda Miller, and Alison Starnes, would claim two stages along the way.

Abbott's former teammate, Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia) and Tatiana Guderzo (Team Valdarno) finished in second and third on the General Classification. Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) would claim the mountains classification, while Marianne Vos (Netherlands) would take home both the points and best young rider honors.

Stage 10 Results
1. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu

Other Notables
4. Rasa Leleivyte (Ltu) Safi - Pasta Zara
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
6. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
9. Emma Mackie (Aus) Australia National Team
14. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
15. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
18. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
21. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
27. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
31. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
48. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
49. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
55. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
66. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
68. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
78. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
81. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
8. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
85. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam

Final General Classification
1. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team - 25:15:54
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women - 0:02:05
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno - 0:03:05
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:05:26
5. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:07:29
6. Eivgenia Vysotska (Ukr) Team Valdarno - 0:08:23
7. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team - 0:09:24
8. Tatiana Antoshina (Rus) Team Valdarno - 0:12:08
9. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara - 0:23:03
10. Elena Berlato (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo - Ghezzi - 0:25:50

Final Jersey Winners
maglia rosa - Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
maglia ciclamino - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
maglia verde - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Photo: Courtesy Peanut Butter & TWENTY12 (top); Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it (bottom)

Abbott Takes Two, Soldifies Lead – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 9

Lenny B — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:00:10 +0000

Last Saturday, US National Team member, Mara Abbott, claimed the "Queen" stage of the 21st Giro Donne, and in the process set up the young American to be the race's overall queen.

Abbott's talents were once again on display on the 68.5km Stage 9, which featured a climb up the mighty Stelvio. The usual suspects, Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) and Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia) provided the greatest resistance to Abbott collecting her second stage in a row. But neither was really up to the task.

The US National Road Champion, adorned in the maglia rosa, rode away from her two toughest challengers on the slopes of the Stevlio and secured her second win in as many days. Abbott would finish twenty-seven seconds ahead of Pooley, while Arndt was 1'43" in arrears.

With only a single stage remaining in this year's edition of the Giro Donne, it is every bit a certainty that Abbott will make history as the first American ever to win the Italian stage race.

Stage 9 Results
1. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
2. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women

Other Notables
4. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
7. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
10. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
16. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team
17. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
18. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
30. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
34. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
46. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
49. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
50. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
69. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
71. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
75. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
91. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
92. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
93. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
94. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
DNS Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
DNF Amber Neben (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 9
1. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women - 0:02:08
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno - 0:03:05
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:05:29
5. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:06:53
6. Eivgenia Vysotska (Ukr) Team Valdarno - 0:08:26
7. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team - 0:09:32
8. Tatiana Antoshina (Rus) Team Valdarno - 0:12:05
9. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara - 0:23:03
10. Elena Berlato (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo - Ghezzi - 0:25:47

Leaders' Jerseys After Stage 9
maglia rosa - Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
maglia ciclamino - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
maglia verde - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Next: Stage 10 Autodromo Di Monza to Monza, 112.7km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Abbott Climbs Into Lead – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 8

Lenny B — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:41:44 +0000

Mara Abbott (US National Team), donned in extra stars & stripes as the current US National Road Champion, climbed into the lead of the 21st Giro Donne on Friday after soloing to victory on the 89km Stage 8 from Chiavenna to Livigno.

The 2009 Giro Donne runner-up was simply dominating on a stage that featured three Category 2 climbs, the Passo del Maloja, Passo Bernina, Forcola. She would attack early and stay away late in winning the stage by 1'27" over Emma Pooley (Cervelo TestTeam) and 1'40" ahead of former teammate, Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia).

With two stages remaining, Abbott is now in line to become the first American in history to win the grueling Italian stage race.

Stage 8 Results
1. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
2. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women

Other Notables
4. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
6. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
7. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
10. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
13. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
17. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
20. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
32. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
33. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
34. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
35. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
50. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
52. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
55. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
86. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
89. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 8
1. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women - 0:00:19
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno - 0:01:05
4. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team - 0:01:38
5. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:01:41
6. Eivgenia Vysotska (Ukr) Team Valdarno - 0:04:49
7. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team - 0:05:41
8. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:06:22
9. Tatiana Antoshina (Rus) Team Valdarno - 0:08:57
10. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women - 0:13:35

Next: Stage 9 - Livigno to Stelvio, 68.5 km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Stevens Solos – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 7

Lenny B — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:43:05 +0000

American Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia) confirmed her talents and justified her positions as one of the top young riders in the women's professional peloton.

On the 110.8km Stage 7 from Como to Albese Con Cassano, which featured the Cat. 2 Sormano and Cima del Ghisallo climbs, Stevens soloed to victory 42" ahead of an elite group of riders that included, teammate Judith Arndt, Marianne Vos (Netherlands National Team), Tatiana Guderzo and Eivgenia Vysotska of Team Valdarno, Claudia Häusler (Cervelo TestTeam) and US National Team teammates, Mara Abbott and Amber Neben.

With her victory, the newly crowned US National Time Trial Champion climbed into fourth on the General Classification, 1'14" behind maglia rosa wearer Vos.

Stage 7 Results
1. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women

Other Notables
4. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
5. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
6. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
8. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
11. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
15. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
24. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
36. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
37. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
38. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
43. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
44. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
50. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu
53. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
54. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
103. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
104. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
105. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women - 0:00:27
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno - 0:01:09
4. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women - 0:01:14
5. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:01:29
6. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team - 0:01:54
7. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team - 0:03:02
8. Eivgenia Vysotska (Ukr) Team Valdarno - 0:03:11
9. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara - 0:06:34
10. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:06:45

Next: Stage 8 - Chiavenna to Livigno, 93 km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Vos Doubles – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 6

Lenny B — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:57:09 +0000

It seems that as dominating as Ina Yoko Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) was in the first four days of the 21st Giro Donne, Marianne Vos (Netherlands) has been in the past two.

Vos would take her second stage in as many days, winning the 116.7 km Stage 6 from Gallarate to Arcisate. Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia) finished in second and Russian Olga Zabelinskaya (Safi - Pasta Zara) in third. With the win, Vos retained her overall race lead and the accompanying maglia rosa.

Stage 6 Results
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
3. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara

Mara Abbott (US National Team) was the highest placed American on Stage 6, finishing in ninth, nine seconds in arrears from Vos. Abbott currently sits in seventh place on the General Classification.

Other Notables
4. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
9. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
10. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
11. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team
12. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
14. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
15. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
20. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
26. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
27. Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
32. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
34. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
55. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
58. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
65. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
70. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
71. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
72. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
78. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
79. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
83. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
89. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women - 0:00:25
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno - 0:01:03
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:01:23
5. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara - 0:01:31
6. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam - 0:01:42
7. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team - 0:01:48
8. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women - 0:02:00
9. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women - 0:02:16
10. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team - 0:02:25

Next: Stage 7 - Como to Albese con Cassano, 110.8 km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Vos Breaks German Stranglehold – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 5

Lenny B — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:21:02 +0000

Up to this point, the 21st edition of the Giro Donne had been a one woman show with Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Team HTC-Columbia) taking the first four stages of the ten stage race. But the German's stranglehold on the event was finally broken on Tuesday as former World Champion, Marianne Vos (Netherlands), not only took the 122 kilometer Stage 5, but also wrestled away the race lead.

With a number of categorized climbs, including a steep ascent into the finish, highlighting the route from Orta S. Giulio to Pettenasco, the climbers were finally able to exhibit their talents and test their legs before the race heads into the high mountains. Cervelo Test Team teammates, Emma Pooley and Claudia Hausler, Judith Arndt and Evelyn Stevens of HTC-Columbia, and Mara Abbott (US National Team), among others would reveal themselves on the stage. Each was able to pull some lost time back while moving into a more favorable position on the General Classification.

In the end; however, the day belonged to Vos, who accelerated away from Arndt and Tatiana Guderzo (Team Valdarno) late to take the stage win.

Stage 5 Results
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women

Other Notables
4. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
5. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
7. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
9. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
17. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australia National Team
18. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
20. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
31. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
33. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
38. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
50. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
51. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Netherlands National Team
52. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
53. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
54. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu
56. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
62. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
66. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
67. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
68. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
69. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
84. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
5. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
6. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
7. Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Safi - Pasta Zara
8. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
9. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
10. Grete Treier (Est) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox

Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
maglia rosa - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
maglia ciclamino - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia verde - Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Next: Stage 6 - Gallarate to Arcisate 116km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Giro d’Teutenberg – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 4

Lenny B — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:41:00 +0000

Four stages into the 21st Giro Donne and it only seems appropriate that this year's edition be renamed in honor of Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Team HTC-Columbia), who has collected four wins in as many stages.

After surprising in the Stage 3 Individual Time Trial, it all but seemed a given that she would take the flat, 90 kilometer Stage 4 from Filarolo to Lendinara. The German would once again oblige and took another bunch sprint ahead of Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team) and Shelley Evans (US National Team), who seems to be getting stronger as the race goes on.

"It's a very special moment. I don't think in 30 years of racing as an amateur and professional that I've ever managed to take four wins in a row before," Teutenberg told Cyclingnews. "We didn't think we were going to win the stage, we knew that a lot of the other teams were going to try for breaks, but they never seemed to work out."

Stage 4 Results
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team

Other Notables
4. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu
8. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
12. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
13. Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
16. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
17. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
19. Emma Mackie (Aus) Australia National Team
20. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Netherlands National Team
21. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
23. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
24. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
27. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
28. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
29. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
35. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
51. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
59. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
62. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
76. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
87. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
110. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
111. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women

As expected, Teutenberg continues to lead the General Classification competition as well as the Points Classification. Evans remains in 6th placed on the GC, with teammate Amber Neben in 8th. American Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia) moved up one spot and now sits in the top ten.

General Classification After Stage 4
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
5. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
6. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
7. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team
8. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
9. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
10. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women

Jersey Leaders After Stage 4
maglia rosa - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia ciclamino - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia verde - Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Next: Stage 5 - Orta to Pettenasco, 122 km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Unstoppable, Teutenberg Surprises In Time Trial – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 3

Lenny B — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:49:52 +0000

On Sunday, the incomparable Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Team HTC-Columbia) made it three for three at the 21st Giro Donne as she won the 16.9km Individual Time Trial from Caerano to Biadene. Kirsten Wild (Cervelo TestTeam) and Judith Arndt (Team HTC-Columbia) would finish in second and third, respectively.

Known primarily as a sprinter, Teutenberg surprised with a time of 21:30, twenty-one seconds faster than Wild and twenty-two ahead of teammate Arndt. The victory added to her already impressive season tally, which now stands at 19. "I was just hoping I would go out there and maybe not lose too much time," explained a shocked Teutenberg. "But it was a really good course for me and I had really good legs."

The US National Team trio of Shelley Evans (6th), Amber Neben (8th), and Alison Starnes (9th) also showed remarkably well, each finishing in the top ten.

Stage 3 Results
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
4. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
6. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
7. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team
8. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
9. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
10. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam

Other Notables
11. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
14. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
16. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
17. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) HTC Columbia Women
22. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
38. Veronica Leal Balderas (Mex) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
51. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
60. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team
61. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
81. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 3
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
5. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
6. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
7. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team
8. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
9. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
10. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam

Jersey Leaders After Stage 3
maglia rosa - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia ciclamino - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia verde - Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Next: Stage 4 - Filarolo to Lendinara, 90 km

Photo: Giro Donne/www.girodonne.it

Another for Teutenberg – 21st Giro Donne, Stage 2

Lenny B — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:30:06 +0000

After winning only a single stage at last year's Giro Donne, Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Team HTC-Columbia) came into this year's race with some added motivation, which did not necessarily bode well for the ambitions of the rest of the peloton. On Saturday, the German took her second victory in as many stages by winning the 130km Stage 2 from Sacile to Riese Pio X in a bunch sprint.

Although an early solo effort would highlight the day, Teutenberg and her HTC-Columbia teammates were able to pull the race back together in time to set up their pink clad sprinter.

"One rider made a long individual breakaway but we managed to keep the race under control and with 10 kilometers to go we'd brought her back," commented HTC-Columbia team manager Ronny Lauke to Cyclingnews. "Ina's teammates set her up perfectly for a the finish, a 300 meter straightaway with a slight downhill, and she finished off their good work without any problems at all."

The HTC-Columbia rider easily crossed the line in front of Giorgia Bronzini (Gauss RDZ Ormu) and Marianne Vos (Netherlands) to take her 18th win of the season.

Results - Stage 2
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu
3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

American Shelley Evans (US National Team) missed out on the day's podium, finishing fourth. The winner of this year's Women's Tour of New Zealand is currently the highest placed American on the General Classification.

Other Notables
4. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
5. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
10. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (USA) US National Team
30. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
36. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
39. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
59. Amber Neben (USA) US National Team
60. Sinead Miller (USA) US National Team
62. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
91. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
92. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women
95. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo TestTeam
100. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
101. Alison Starnes (USA) US National Team
102. Kimberley Anderson (USA) HTC Columbia Women
108. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
110. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Australia National Team
111. Kirsty Broun (Aus) Australia National Team
113. Amanda Miller (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Gauss RDZ Ormu
3. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
4. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team
5. Grete Treier (Est) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
6. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
7. Shelley Evans (USA) US National Team
8. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
9. Alessandra D'Ettorre (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo - Ghezzi
10. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Jersey Leaders After Stage 2
maglia rosa - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia ciclamino - Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
maglia verde - Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
maglia bianca - Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team

Next: Stage 3 - Caerano to Biadene ITT, 16.9 km

Photo: Leonard Basobas/LB Photos