Team Vera Bradley Triumphant at Redlands

Thursday September 2, 2010

Team Vera Bradley Triumphant at Redlands

by Lenny B

Sunday, April 04, 2010 at 06:48 AM EDT

Team Vera Bradley Foundation wins overall team General Classification as Alexis Rhodes climbs into 3rd and Alison Powers takes Queen of the Mountains jersey

Redlands, CA - The Team Vera Bradley Foundation women wrapped up a successful week of racing, taking home the top team prize at Redlands and moving Alexis Rhodes onto the podium. 2009 NRC champion, Alison Powers demonstrated her climbing prowess by taking the climber's jersey for the race. The team showed their strength in the final Sunset Road stage today, despite some bad luck at yesterday's criterium.

Saturday's criterium started out with some unfortunate news. Leah Goldstein (below) was struck by a car just prior to the race, while she was warming up. Goldstein sustained two broken wrists and multiple facial lacerations, and underwent surgery today to repair the bones. "It happened so fast," said Goldstein. She wasn't paying attention and I don't think she saw me."

The accident shook up the other girls on the team and it was evident throughout the race. "It was a tough day for us," commented team captain, Robin Farina. "Fortunately, Alexis got in the break, but it wasn't a good break for the team." Rhodes bridged up to the break when it formed just after the intermediate time bonus sprints. "I didn't do much work, since Ina, Brooke Miller and two of her TIBCO teammates were in it, along with Theresa Cliff-Ryan from Colavita and Kat Carroll from Peanut Butter and Co," said Rhodes. "The gap kept growing, and Ina was really driving it." Theresa Cliff-Ryan took the win, with TIBCO's Jo Kiesanowski and Brooke Miller getting 2nd and 3rd respectively. Teutenberg took over the lead, with Carroll moving into 2nd overall and TIBCO's Rebecca Much in 3rd. Rhodes moved up to 6th on GC, with Powers falling to 12th and Farina to 14th.

But Sunday's road race would prove to make even more changes. "The Sunset Road Race is one of the most challenging stages," said team director, Lisa Hunt. "It's where you see the really strong stage race riders shine; and there's always a re-shuffling on GC. We had nothing to lose today. We wanted to keep Alison in the climber's jersey, but we also wanted to get on the podium, either with a stage win, or move one of the girls up on GC." And it proved to be a good day for the team. Lap 1 saw a dangerous break occur, with Powers represented, along with Teutenberg and Stevens from HTC-Columbia, Peanut Butter and Co/Twenty12's Mara Abbott, TIBCO's Much and Meredith Miller, Carmen Small from Colavita-Baci and Amber Neben. Powers took the time bonus and Queen of the Mountains points. The break gained over 45 seconds on the second lap, but then was reeled in just before the start of lap 3. From then on, it was a race of attrition, as the lead group of ridders whittled down to a group of 11, with TIBCO's Much falling off on the last few laps. Powers, Farina and Rhodes were represented in the group and took advantage of the numbers, launching attacks on the final lap. Powers attacked on the descent going into the final lap and got a 30 second gap on the final climb. She was caught at the top and the group was all together on the descent back into town. Both Farina and Rhodes launched attacks, but it was HTC-Columbia's Evelyn Stevens who countered Rhodes' move and stayed away by a small margin to take the win over her teammate, Teutenberg. Carmen Small was 3rd. Rhodes took 4th on the stage and moved up to 3rd place overall.

With Powers, Farina and Rhodes in the lead group, the team was able to win the team general classification prize, with Powers retaining her climber's jersey.

"What a great way to kick off the season," stated an elated Powers. "It was a great team effort, and I'm really excited to have won the jersey!" Powers also moved up to 7th overall, with Robin Farina moving back up to 9th. "Winning team GC really demonstrates the depth of this team," said Hunt. "It wasn't our primary goal going into today, but I knew it was a possibility. This is just the beginning for these women. I am so proud of them!"

Next up for the team will be Sea Otter in Monterey on April 14-17. The women will also be racing the Sunny King criterium in Anniston, AL on the 17th. Watch for updates on Twitter and Facebook.