Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Releases Resumes at Joe Martin

New series addition is second stop on 2009 tour

Minneapolis – The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series resumes this week at the Joe Martin Stage Race, a new addition to the Series. At the opener in Redlands, Team Type 1 and Team TIBCO traded blows, each claiming the lead in two of the four competitions. Expect Webcor Builders, a consistent WPCS powerhouse, to put in a strong challenge as well.

The individual competition is still up for grabs since all of the top five women in the standings will be on the startling line. Alison Powers, with the aid of her Team Type 1 teammates, will be trying to protect her narrow lead, but she’ll be chased by former US National champion Kathryn Mattis (Webcor Builders), Lauren Tamayo (Team TIBCO), Kristin Sanders (ValueAct Capital) and Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO), in second through fifth, respectively.

The WPCS Sprint Classification is looking to be a battle between Team Type 1 and Team TIBCO. Team Type 1 holds the first and third positions (Kori Seehafer & Powers), while Team TIBCO holds fourth and fifth (Tamayo and Joanne Kiesanowski). Colavita Sutter Home is not currently on the start list, taking second place Tina Pic, a legendary sprinter, out of the picture. Team Type 1 may have to choose between protecting Powers’ lead in the individual competition and Seehafer’s lead as the top sprinter.

Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) looks good for the Best Young Rider classification. Much currently holds second, but leader Julie Beveridge (Team TIBCO) is not on her team’s roster while Colavita Sutter Homes and Wines of Washington are not attending, taking third place Tiffany Cromwell and fourth place Lindsey Myer out of contention.

In the WPCS team classification, Webcor Builders is trailing leader Team TIBCO by 93 points (294 vs. 201), with Team Type 1 hot on Webcor’s heals with 196 points. However, the WPCS team competition offers bonus points for riders under age 26, giving a possible edge to Webcor Builders and Team Type 1, each of whom is fielding three young riders compared to only one young rider for Team TIBCO. If these young riders do well, it could narrow Team TIBCO’s lead and possibly shake up the team standings.

The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Following the Joe Martin Stage race, it will continue at the Nature Valley Grand Prix (June 10 – 14) before concluding at the Cascade Classic (July 22 – 26).