German claims second career Ronde van Vlaanderen victory

On Sunday, Judith Arndt (GreenEdge Cycling), won the Ronde van Vlaanderen for the second time in her career illustrious career; the first coming in 2008.

Coincidentally, both victories would come at the expense of Kristin Armstrong (Team USA), who once again watched as her breakaway companion surged ahead of her in the closing meters of the finale. And, if not for a late charge by Canadian Joelle Numainville, the 2008 podium would have been intact as Kirsten Wild (AA Drink - Leontien.nl) was narrowly pipped in the bunch sprint.

Results - 9th Ronde van Vlaanderen voor Vrouwen
1. Judith Arndt (Ger) Greenedge-Ais - 3:19:05
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) USA National Team - 0:00:02
3. Joelle Numainville (Can) Canada National Team - 0:00:30

Although many stories were born out of today's Arndt, Armstrong tete-a-tete, perhaps the biggest was the overall display by the Americans.

There was a time, in the not so distant past, where the opportunities for an American woman to race in Europe were few and far between, and the American "contingent" in the European peloton often consisted of one or two riders (in 2006, only Amber Neben and Kim Anderson were in the Ronde van Vlaanderen field). But in recent years, USA Cycling's efforts to develop the women's program have paid handsome dividends.

In addition to Armstrong, 13 other Americans, across 4 teams, started today's race. And while that fact alone is impressive, none were merely content to simply participate. Under the direction of Jackson Stewart, Team USA was either on or off the front the entire day.

Throw in the monstrous efforts by 2012 Women's Tour of New Zealand victor, Evelyn Stevens (Specialized - Lululemon) and Andrea Dvorak (Team USA), whose work in the chase group with Emma Johansson (Hitec Products-Mistral Home), belies their actual placings, and it is easy to see that the upward trajectory of the American women is still on the rise.

Other Notables
4. Kirsten Wild (Ned) AA Drink-Leontien.nl Cycling Team
12. Emma Johansson (Swe) Hitec Products-Mistral Home Cycling Team
13. Carmen Small (USA) USA National Team
21. Megan Guarnier (USA) Tibco-To The Top
28. Andrea Dvorak (USA) USA National Team
30. Tayler Wiles (USA) USA National Team
32. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Team Specialized-Lululemon
34. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) AA Drink-Leontien.nl Cycling Team
35. Emma Pooley (GBr) AA Drink-Leontien.nl Cycling Team 0:00:54
38. Samantha Schneider (USA) Tibco-To The Top
41. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Canada National Team
43. Kristin Mcgrath (USA) USA National Team
48. Lauren Hall (USA) Tibco-To The Top
57. Amanda Miller (USA) Tibco-To The Top

Photo: GreenEdge Cycling

By Nicola Cranmer

Snowmass, CO - Beautiful Snowmass at over 8000ft with 'wildlife on the course' set the scene for the challenging ten lap race.

For the first 3 laps it was gruppo compacto with riders testing their lungs and legs on the uphill/downhill course. Several attacks were quickly thwarted by the altitude and Olivia Dillon (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12). Halfway through the race there repeated reports on race radio of 'wildlife on the course' this kept everyone on high alert and wondering what exactly was wildlife! Later it was announced that it was a bear in a tree right on the course!

Six laps in Janel Holcomb of Colavita/Forno D'Asolo Pro Cycling Team, attacked midway up the climb. She was tracked by closely by Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12), who sat in 2nd place overall. The pair worked together efficiently and quickly established a solid 30 second gap. Two laps later Holcomb and Armstrong had extended to over 2 minutes.

With 2 laps to go Armstrong attacked on the climb gaining 10 seconds immediately, coming to the line with 40 seconds over Holcomb. A group of six riders had split from the field on the last lap with Anne Samplonious narrowly taking the sprint from Kristin McGrath.

Armstrong is now in leaders jersey with McGrath tied for 2nd with Holcomb. McGrath also wears the Colorado rider jersey.

The downtown Aspen Criterium starts at 1pm today. This 11 corner crit will be the decider for the overall in this omnium style stage race. The crowds will be massive. The USA Pro Challenge will roll into town just one hour after the finish of the womens race. Look for the winner of the Aspen Snowmass Pro Women's Stage Race on Versus today.

Photos: Wil Matthews

By Nicola Cranmer

The first edition of the Aspen Snowmass Women's Pro Stage Race commenced in classy style. While one Olympic Gold Medalist was racing her bike, the other, Connie Carpenter was on the microphone to help set the stage for the women's time trial.

The conditions were calm, although in typical mountain fashion, the skies looked ominous around the start time.

Road bikes were the winners' choice today on this 7.8 mile mostly uphill time trial course that featured plenty of elevation gains but not too many spots to hold any speed.

The women set off at one minute intervals beginning at 5pm. Durango resident, Kristin McGrath (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) took out the fastest time of the day with teammate, Kristin Armstrong just four seconds back. The Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 pair were followed by Janel Holcomb of Colavita/Formo D’Asolo in 3rd, Amanda Miller (HTC-Highroad) in 4th.

“I knew I’d have a good ride, but I’m really stoked to be on the podium," commented McGrath. "With Kristin [Armstrong] and I in second and first place, we’re in a really good position to defend the leader’s jersey tomorrow."

Race organizer, Jessica Phillips attention to detail was apparent at the podium where the riders were presented with beautiful bouquets of flowers and very stylish leaders jerseys. McGrath claimed all three (stage winner, race leader and the Best Colorado Rider) leaders jerseys on the day, but Amanda Miller of Fort Collins will wear the Best Colorado Rider jersey for tomorrow's stage. A growler of Ajax beer was also presented by two handsome podium men!

McGrath now leads the inaugural edition of the race, run in an omnium format. Tomorrow is a challenging 35-mile circuit race, to be held on a 3.5-mile course around Snowmass Village. The omnium concludes with a 60-minute criterium on the streets of downtown Aspen on Wednesday.

Racing begins at 10:00am tomorrow.

Photos: Nicola Cranmer

Excellent teamwork put Kristin McGrath on the top of the podium

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - Today’s first stage of the six day Cascade Cycling Classic featured 74 miles of beautiful but grueling terrain. With mere seconds separating the majority of the field, the racing was animated from the beginning. However, with a start as fast as this one, not many people were able to establish a gap.

It wasn’t until the road began to go up that finally a sizable group splintered off the front. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 had four of the 15 riders. However, as the road pitched up, the 22 miles of climbing took its toll and a group of 10 evolved. Kristin McGrath, Alison Starnes, and Alisha Welsh all represented Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12. Also present was Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo), TIBCO/To The Top teammates Carmen Small & Joelle Numainville, Kristin Lassaso (Primal Map my Ride), teammates Anne Sampolonius and Jade Wilcoxson (Now/Novartis) and Kathryn Donavon (SC Velo).

Throughout the race, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 rode smartly, arriving at the bottom of the final climb intact as a team with the group of 10. With Welsh setting tempo to hold off the intense chase behind from the peloton, Dvorak attacked, opening up a 15 second gap on the now shattering group of ten. McGrath answered the attack, making contact with her in time to counter her and ride clear into the finish for a stellar win and a 10 second time bonus.

Further down the slope, Kristin Armstrong responded to the attacks coming from Erinne Willock. As Armstrong fought to make contact, Clara Hughes matched her pace, and the three some came into the finish slightly behind the winners.

McGrath’s win puts her in Yellow by 17 seconds going into tomorrow’s 14 mile time trial over Dvorak. Behind McGrath are her Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 teammates, Armstrong, Welsh and Starnes, all within striking distance of the coveted Yellow Jersey. Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s strong showing today placed them first in the team competition. With the time gaps still slight at less than 50 seconds separating the top ten, tomorrow’s winner of the time trial will most likely wear home the Yellow Jersey. The BMC Cascade Cycling Classic is far from over. Stay tuned for more exciting action from Bend, OR.

Results - Stage 1
1. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
2. Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
3. Kathryn Donovan (SC Velo - Empower Coaching)

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Kristin Mcgrath (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
2. Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
3. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
4. Kristen T Lasasso (Primal/MapMyRide)
5. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
6. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
7. Kathryn Donovan (SC Velo - Empower Coaching)
8. Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)
9. Joelle Numainville (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
10. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS)

Photos: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us; Joe Savola
Kstrong Cascade - Joe Savola

Hundredths of a second separate the top women

By Nicola Cranmer

Bend, OR - Kicking off today, the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic is the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country. One of the premier stops on the NRC calendar, the six day stage race features an elite roster of women athletes including Canadian Clara Hughes, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Kristin Armstrong, and Hughes’ fellow countrywoman Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To The Top). With 14 teams and 113 women taking the start line, the Cascade Cycling Classic is one of the biggest stage races in 2011.

The star-studded field began their six day journey late in the afternoon with a 2 mile prologue. A technical course which tested the riders’ handling skills as well as their power, the course lent itself to the sprinters as well as the overall GC contenders.

Early on, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Cari Higgins lead the race with a time of 4:03. She held on to her lead until Jade Wilcoxson came through breaking the 4 minute mark with a 3:59. But the fastest of the fast were still yet to come with Hughes, Armstrong and Whitten patiently waiting until the end for their opportunity.

Hughes was the first to come in with a 3:55, only a snick off her time was Armstrong, only three one hundredths of a second away. But, shortly after Hughes and Armstrong came across, Whitten came flying out of the final corner and up the finishing straight, winning the stage by mere seconds.

Tomorrow’s 71 mile infamous McKenzie Bridge Stage will test all riders. With such small time gaps throughout the field, it is anybody’s race to win or lose. With a field so riddled with talent, the racing is sure to be fierce, and the woman who stands at the top of the podium tomorrow will have fought hard for her victory.

Results - Prologue
1. Tara Whitten (Team TIBCO/To the Top)
2. Clara Hughes (Cycling BC)
3. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
4. Pascale Schneinder (VanderKitten Focus)
5. Jade Wilcoxson (NOW and Novartis For MS)
6. Alison Shanks (BikeNZ)
7. Kaytee Boyd (BikeNZ)
8. Jaime Nielsen (BikeNZ)
9. Alison Starnes (Peanut Butter & Co.Twenty12)
10. Lauren Hall (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo)

By Cynthia Lou, Nature Valley Grand Prix

Stillwater, Minn. – Giorgia Bronzini (Colavita Forno D’Asolo presented by Cooking Light) attacked at the bottom of Chilkoot Hill Sunday to secure her third stage win at this year’s Nature Valley Grand Prix as Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad) held on to win the race overall.

Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) attacked the penultimate time up the leg-breaking climb that was packed with spectators, hoping to repeat her previous years' success at the Stillwater Criterium. But Neben's HTC-Highroad teammate, Evelyn Stevens, and Bronzini jumped after her. Bronzini's win was the reigning world road race champion's third of the five-day, six-stage race.

“I have no words for Evie (Stevens) – she made the race,” Bronzini said, laughing. “I tried to save my power for the last climb because I came here with all of the best climbers and I’m a sprinter. So I tried only to follow (wheels) and save my best sprint for the final.”

Between attacks from Team TIBCO/To The Top and Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 and the sheer difficulty of the 18 percent average grade on Chilkoot Hill, an elite group of riders quickly separated themselves from the peloton. The decisive breakaway group formed within five laps of the 13-lap race and featured a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers. It included Bronzini, Neben with teammates Stevens, Ally Stacher, and Amanda Miller, overall runner-up Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To The Top) and teammate Joelle Noumainville, defending champion Armstrong and teammate Kristin McGrath, Anne Samplonius (NOW and Novartis for MS), and Jade Wilcoxson (Nature Valley Grand Prix Pro Ride).

As the teams battled for the general classification, Armstrong and Bronzini were able to sit in the pack and save themselves for the finish.

“I wanted to sit and let Highroad do their work to protect the jersey,” Armstrong said. “I knew two minutes would be too much to gain today so we went for the stage win for the team. I tried my best, I tried to go with two to go but everyone out there was really strong. I just couldn’t get that extra acceleration.”

Neben said it actually was a very easy day for her because her team was so good.

“I didn’t really have to do anything but just watch them," Neben said. "It went according to plan. I’m proud of them, they rode really well this week. I have the yellow, but really, we all won.”

Stevens’ performance earned her the Freewheel Bike Most Aggressive Rider jersey.

“Ally, Amanda and Chloe raced their hearts out,” Stevens said. “Amanda and Chloe took it on the back, then I would take control on the climb. I think it was perfect teamwork – no one could get away. It was really exciting.”

Before the race, Stacher was honored with the "Carla Swart Sportsmanship Award," recognizing the female athlete at the race who sacrificed her own chances for the good of her team. Swart was a South African Olympic hopeful and the most decorated collegiate rider in U.S. history who died when she was hit by a truck during a training ride.

We raced how Carla would have raced," Stevens said. "She was just an amazing woman, and I know Ally was her best friend. I can’t think of someone better than Ally to wear that jersey. The way she rode today, she rode her heart out. It’s just incredible, the whole team.”

Stacher’s performance also won her the Tria Orthopaedic Best Young Rider jersey, and HTC-Highroad won the Team classification.

Riding for the Nature Valley Pro Ride team, Wilcoxson finished with the front group of elite riders to win the Nature Valley Grand Prix Best Amateur.

“I was really nervous to start it, but it turned out to be a really good course for me,” Wilcoxson said. “I kind of shocked myself as well. I was really surprised to hang with the big dogs like that. I just wanted to be able to finish the race today, so, I’m really excited about the results.”

Leah Kirchmann (Colavita Forno D’Asolo) held onto her Sports Beans Queen of the Hill jersey and Wheaties Fuel Sprint Competition jersey.

Results - Stillwater Criterium
1. Giorgia Bronzini (Colavita Forno D’Asolo presented by Cooking Light)
2. Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Highroad)
3. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12)

General Classification - Final
1. Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad)
2. Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To The Top)
3. Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12)
4. Ally Stacher (HTC-Highroad)
5. Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Highroad)
6. Anne Samplonius (NOW And Novartis For MS)
7. Jade Wilcoxson (NVGP Pro Ride)
8. Giorgia Bronzini (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo presented by Cooking Light)
9. Amanda Miller (HTC-Highroad)
10. Leah Kirchmann (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo presented by Cooking Light)

Photos: Matthew Moses

Bloomington, MN - Today’s very challenging 81 mile road race took the remaining 80 strong women’s peloton into Wisconsin. Truly a course that traversed through the valleys and over dale, the 81 miles was relentless with its undulating terrain and windy conditions.

With the overall classification still very much up for grabs, second place riders Evelyn Stevens and Amber Neben used their HTC-Highroad teammates Amanda Miller and Ally Stacher to draw out race leader Kristin Armstrong and her Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 team. With Miller at 1:03 arrears of Armstrong, and Stevens and Neben less than 30 second back, the three were bonafide threats to Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s race lead.

Having lost their race leader Shelly Olds in last night’s crash, the Diadora Pasta Zara team had little to lose, as did Colavita and the Tibco Team. Early in the race a break went up the road with 7, including Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Tayler Wiles. Wiles was the lowest in GC and did not invest in the break. However, Team TIBCO/To The Top had two riders, and as the time gap increased, Leah Kirchmann (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo presented by Cooking Light) was a threat to yellow at only 1:11 back. The gap quickly ballooned to 2 minutes, and then Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 organized at the front and brought the time back to 1 minute, managing the time gap from there. The time gap remained steady until the second Queen of the Mountain (QoM) climb when HTC-Highroad began to hammer away at Armstrong. Stevens and then Neben continued their attacks until Armstrong finally relented and Neben went clear.

Neben made contact with the front group as Wiles was sitting up out of it to come back and assist her Peanut Butter & Co. teammates in the chase. Just as they were organizing, Erinne Willock (Team TIBCO/To The Top) also went across to the break, bringing the total to 8. Behind the break of eight the Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12's well oiled machine began their rotation at the front. Bringing the break back to 25 seconds, it looked like the women in blue and black would succeed. As they entered the final circuits, race leader Armstrong took over the chase, and did everything she could to bring back the group up the road. But the power at the front of the race benefited from the technical course, and the time gap slowly opened.

With the Yellow Jersey slipping away, and her teammates spent from the chase, Armstrong did what she could to minimize the time loss. In the end it was Leah Kirchmann took the stage win, with Neben in second and Willock in third. Her second place moved Neben into the lead, with Willock in second, and Kirchmann now in third on the overall.

Tomorrow, the infamous Stillwater stage will test the wills of the women's peloton as numerous champions have faltered on the challenging course. With the firepower and teamwork of Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, the Nature Valley Grand Prix is far from over.

Last lap crash cancels stage finish; overall standings remain unchanged

Minneapolis, MN - Despite brilliant racing by Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12, HTC-Highroad, Colavita/Forno d'Asolo presented by Cooking Light and Diadora Pasta Zara, the results of this evening’s stage have no relevance to the overall classification as a late race crash negated both the finish and the intermediate sprints of the fourth stage at the Nature Valley Grand Prix.

For the third year in a row, an unforeseen event canceled a stage, resulting in a lot of hard work for absolutely no change to the overall classification.

A crash on the final corner coming into the bell lap took down nearly the entire field including race leader Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12). It was an aggressive move out of the final corner by a rider sweeping across wheels, about 10th wheel back which saw nearly the entire peloton on the pavement and forced the race officials to cancel the stage.

The first 26 laps of the race were action filled with an early break splintering off from the front of the field 7 laps into the 28 lap criterium. Driven by last year’s race winner, Shelley Olds (Diadora Pasta Zara), the 3 person break was soon joined by Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s Lauren Tamayo and HTC-Highroad’s Amanda Miller. Miller was the highest placed in GC and worked hard with a motivated Olds to drive the break away from the chase organized by Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s behind.

For the next 10 laps, the gap slowly opened as Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 fought hard to minimize the time Olds, Miller, Joelle Numanville (Team TIBCO/To The Top) and Leah Kirchmann (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo presented by Cooking Light) were gaining. For a while the gap remained at 15 seconds with Tamayo sitting on the break. However, as the gap slowly opened past the 20 second mark and Miller (only 1:03 behind Armstrong) won the 5 second time bonus, the call was made for Tamayo to sit up out of the break and assist her Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 teammates in the chase.

Within two laps the break was reabsorbed, and from there the Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 team remained at the front, keeping the speed high to protect race leader Armstrong. As the riders rounded the final corner into the bell lap, a rider about 10 places back made an aggressive move across the field and a touch of wheels saw 39 women hit the deck.

Thankfully, the majority of the riders walked away mostly unscathed. Armstrong was bruised but will be able to start tomorrow’s stage. Others were not so lucky, as many were carried away in ambulances.

"The team did a great job tonight of protecting their jersey, it was unfortunate that this last lap incident marred the positive experience" remarked Armstrong. "Tomorrow is another day, a tough stage but we are ready to race"

In the end, the officials declared the race over; no results would be given, no neutral lap, no restarts. The race will not affect the overall classification making any time bonuses gained today a non-factor entering tomorrow’s 88 mile Menomonie Road Race.

Despite the fact that the race did not have the outcome the teams had hoped for, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 once again proved they are up for the task of defending the Yellow Jersey. Exemplifying personal sacrifice for team goals, Tamayo and her determined Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 teammates have two more very challenging days ahead. However, as the cohesive team unit continues to withstand the attacks on the Yellow Jersey, they take a step closer finishing on the top step of the podium in Stillwater on Sunday.

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 extends their best wishes and speediest healing thoughts to the riders who were injured.

Minneapolis – Defending champion Shelley Olds (Diadora-Pasta Zara-Manhattan) was knocked out of the Nature Valley Grand Prix Friday night when a huge crash on the penultimate lap forced race officials to stop the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium and eventually nullify the stage.

Race leader Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12) was among the 39 riders who went down in the crash on the finishing straight. Four of them had injuries serious enough to require transport to a local hospital: Olds (rib injuries), Laura Ralston (facial lacerations, possible broken collarbone), Robin Bauer (separated shoulder) and Hillary Billington (extent of injuries unknown). None will start Stage 5.

Teammates gathered around Armstrong after she was helped to the side of the road by a race medic. The yellow jersey wearer cut her elbow and suffered a bruise on her back.

"Kristin’s pretty banged up,” Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 Director Nicola Cranmer said. “She was at the bottom of the pile, so she had a lot of riders on top of her. Her spirits are good, but it was a shock to her system. It's obvious she's uncomfortable."

After the crash, officials and medical personnel tried to clear the road in hopes of allowing for a final sprint. But as the lead motorcycle rounded the final corner, fallen riders were still being attended to and the race was stopped.

”Our initial thought was to restart the race with five to go and try to get the it back up to speed,“ Chief Judge Dot Abbott said. ”But with the injuries we had, it was pretty upsetting for everybody so we decided to cancel the stage and nullify all of the points and the time bonuses, as though today’s race didn’t happen."

Until the crash, Olds had animated the race, being part of a five-rider break, along with Lauren Tamayo (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12), Leah Kirchmann (Colavita Forno D'Asolo presented by Cooking Light), Amanda Miller (HTC-Highroad), and Joelle Numainville (Team TIBCO/To The Top). Wearing the Freewheel Bikes Most Aggressive jersey, Olds captured six sprint points and three seconds in time bonuses.

Cranmer said despite her injuries, Armstrong and her team are up to the challenge of defending the race lead for two more days. First up, a hilly, 81-mile road race that begins and ends in Menomonie.

"I think the team has rallied around her," Cranmer said. "They're pretty fired up about protecting the jersey. Obviously it will be a challenge."

Photo: Matthew Moses

Stage Three of the Nature Valley Grand Prix sees Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12 defend against an onslaught of attacks

Bloomington, MN - Yesterday's 66 mile road race stage started and finished in the quaint town of Cannon Falls. The weather finally cooperated, with blue skies and warm temperatures. The evening race finished with 5 challenging circuits around downtown Cannon Falls, but only after taking the remaining 84 riders up and down through the nearby farming countryside.

With the riders in the overall standings bunched together, all of the 15 teams racing in the Nature Valley Grand Prix were eager to make their play to win the coveted yellow leader's jersey. Attacks started within the first three miles of Stage 3 as powerhouse HTC-Highroad and Diadora Pasta Zara, whose team leader Shelley Olds tried escaping many times up the road, relentlessly attacked the holders of the leader's jersey, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12.

Committed to retaining their Yellow Jersey, Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12 had an answer for each attack. Purposeful and undaunted, Kristin Armstrong’s charges shut down a number of small groups attempting to breakaway throughout the 55 miles out on the road.

Once the peloton arrived in the final circuits, a group of 33 were left to contest the finish. A well organized Colavita Forno D'Asolo presented by Cooking Light led out of the final corner to set up their top two sprinters, Theresa Cliff-Ryan and Giorgia Bronzini. In the final 100 meters, HTC-Highroad's Chloe Hosking made a hard bid for the line to steal the victory, but World Champion Bronzini was more than equal to the task and snatched her second win of the race over both her teammate and Hosking.

Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12’s diligent work paid off, with Armstrong maintaining Yellow for today's fourth stage, an evening criterium. The team’s strength saw them retain the Team Classification today, illustrating the emerging depth of this developing team.

Stay tuned as the action packed racing continues here in the green, lush and humid mid-west.

Photos: Joe Savola