Top women cyclists signing up to compete in Aspen
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- Created on Friday, 19 August 2011 03:07
- Written by Dena Rosenberry
By Brian Holcombe, Velo News
BOULDER — The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is getting much of the media attention aimed at Colorado over the next week, but some of the top women in the sport are gathering in Aspen for a show of their own. The three-day Aspen/Snowmass Women’s Pro Stage Race opens Monday.
Semi-retired two-time national champion Jessica Phillips is behind the omnium-style event and has attracted riders like Olympic champion Kristin Armstrong Savola (Peanut Butter & Co.-Twenty12, above), Swedish national time trial champion Emilia Fahlin (HTC-Highroad) and 13-time world champion (and 59-time French champ) Jeannie Longo.
The inaugural three-day race fills a gap in the women’s national calendar following the Cascade Classic.
Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge finishes in Aspen after climbing Cottonwood and Independence passes from Gunnison. Olympic gold medalist Connie Carpenter told VeloNews earlier this year that the women’s race was key to the men’s event in Aspen.
“The Women’s Pro Stage Race is an essential component to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge,” said Carpenter. “Women’s cycling is equally as exciting and challenging as men’s cycling, and this race should help attract more spectators to Aspen to watch professional cycling. I raced in Aspen many times during the Coors Classic era many years ago, and it’s refreshing that Aspen has taken the lead in supporting women’s cycling. I can’t wait."
Read details about the 3-stage race and see who's on the preliminary start list.
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