The women of PB&CO showed their strength today at the Snowmass Circuit Race. Tuesday's race included 10 laps around the Snowmass Golf Club. It was all climbing or descending, there was no flat road. Kristin Armstrong won the day with a solo escape. Armstrong bridged to a solo move from Janel Holcomb of Colavita/Forna d'Asolo. Then, she attacked to take a solo victory. Armstrong also took the lead in the general classification.
Early attacks from Colavita/Forno d'Asolo's Kristin Sanders and Janel Holcomb were controlled by PB&Co. Holcomb was finally able to get free about half way through the race only to have Kristin Armstrong Savola bridge across on the subsequent lap. The pair proceeded to build a lead of 2 minutes over the field which was patroled by PB&Co's Kristin McGrath and Allison Starnes.
Absent from the action was the HTC-Highroad squad. Adversely affected by the altitude, Amanda Miller surrendered the Best Colorado Rider Jersey to Kristin McGrath.
The women of Colavita/Forno d''Asolo apply pressure at the front
Armstrong and Holcomb cemented their lead, with Armstrong riding away from Holcomb with 2 laps to go. Armstrong soloed across the line with a 40 second advantage. Two minutes later, in a sprint for third Anne Samplonious (NOW and Novartis for MS) bested, McGrath and Andrea Dvorak (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) out of a groups of 5. The third group on the road came home 3 minutes behind the Armstrong.
In the Omnium format, Armstrong's win today placed her in the overall lead with 63 points. Holcomb and McGrath share second place with 56 points each. The stage is set for Wednesday's criterium in downtown Aspen.
Stage Results (pdf)
Omnium results (pdf)
Race Gallery.
More Photos, To the Flipper!
Primal Map My Ride plots in the shadows
US National Road Race Champion Robin Farina (NOW and Novartis) gets a little pre race adjustment
Amanda Miller in the Best Colorado Rider Jersey on loan from Kristen McGrath in the Brown Leaders Jersey
Janel Holcomb (Colavita/Forno d'Asolo) on the move
She-DEVIL prods the chase group
Samplonious, McGrath and Dvorak for third out of a small group
New Race Leader Kristin Armstrong (Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY TWELVE)