Reading, PA (June 5, 2008) - The second race in the 2008 Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling takes place today in downtown Reading.The town of Reading, in and of itself, reveals its tough and traditional blue-collar roots, while the Greater Reading area continues to expand and modernize.
Rain swept through the area during the evening, and the early morning overcast skies may prevent the course from completely drying out on some areas. Scattered thunderstorms and 80 degree temperatures are on the menu for later today, and they may play a part in the latter portions of the men’s race.
Speaking of the course, the disparity between the men’s and women’s courses is readily apparent at Reading, as it is in most of the races nationally and internationally.
A review of the course map reveals a difference in miles and course profile. The women will cover 25 miles by racing 14 laps on an eight-corner criterium circuit through downtown Reading streets. The men will tackle a demanding 75-mile course over 11 laps on a challenging 7.6-mile circuit that connects downtown Reading with Mt. Penn.
The two winners of the Lehigh Valley Classic, Yuri Metlushenko (Amore & Vita-McDonald's) and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (Team High Road) enter with the opportunity to sweep this week's Triple Crown events. Teutenberg and the rest of the women are first up with an 11:15 AM start, while Metlushenko and the men’s field starts at 1:00 PM. Amateur races begin at 9:00 AM.
Talking to Liz Hatch (Team Vanderkitten) yesterday afternoon, she sounded extremely enthusiastic and confident of her first-year team’s chances after a very good showing at Lehigh. The team seems to be on target to make some noise today, this weekend in Philadelphia and for the remainder of the summer.
Photo: Kurt Harvey (Liz Hatch at the Tour of California Women's Criterium)
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