Specialized-lululemon’s Loren Rowney has taken a win in the City of Beaumont road race event of the Redlands Bicycle Classic.
Rowney won the bunch sprint from the final selection of 28 riders who arrived at the finish line at the end of the challenging 120km circuit race.
“We went into the race with the early plan just to be present in any important moves and to look after Amber [Neben] for GC,” explained Rowney. “Ally [Stacher] and Katie [Colclough] did a great job of being in the moves early and I wasn’t feeling great.”
The race split up on the main climb each lap of the circuit and the final couple of laps saw a group of around 30 riders arriving at the finish line in the front group.
“I had a feeling it would be a bunch kick at the end so on the penultimate lap I tested my legs in an intermediate sprint on the finish line. Katie led me out and I went too early so for the finish I knew I had to hang back a bit and time it better.”
“The girls gave her a great leadout,” said Sport Director Ronny Lauke, and she was able to come around right on the line to take the win. The girls are racing really well and I’m very impressed with Loren in her first year. She has a great understanding of bike racing and reads the race really well.”
Neben finished in the bunch to retain her second place in GC. Tomorrow the girls will line up in the City of Redlands Criterium stage in downtown Redlands.
Race Leader Megan Guarnier (Team TIBCO) finished 5th and remains in the leaders jersey.
Mens Race
In the Pro Men’s Race, Patrick Bevin (Bissell Pro Cycling) won the field sprint ahead of Freddie Rodriguez (Team Exergy) for second and Sean Sullivan (Elbowz Racing) in 3rd. Phil Gaimon (Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder) remains in the leaders jersey.
