Redlands Kicks off Series

Organizers of the annual Women’s Prestige Cycling Series today confirmed the 2007 Series calendar. After a year’s hiatus, the Redlands Bicycle Classic in California will return as the kickoff race to launch the four-race series. The full schedule will be:

Mar 22 – 25 Redlands Bicycle Classic
June 20 – 24 Nature Valley Grand Prix
July 23 – 29 International Tour de ‘Toona
Sept 20 - 23 CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix

The CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix will again be a prize for the teams. The top ten teams following the International Tour de Toona will receive housing and a generous travel subsidy to attend this increasingly popular event.

The Series’ individual title will again be on the line. Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) claimed the 2006 crown from 2005 champion Christine Thorburne (Webcor – Platinum) as the two powerhouse riders were heading for Gold and Bronze medals at the 2006 World Time Trial Championships. Both riders are expected to face off in the 2007 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series.

Canadian Alex Wrubleski (Colavita) is the clear favorite for the Series Best Young Rider competition. Last year’s winner and runner up, Katharine Carroll (Victory Brewing) and Erinne Willock (Webcor – Platinum), are now “too old” for this U26 division. Wrubleski, who claimed the Best Young Rider jersey at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, also won two Canadian National Championships and is clearly a rider to watch for both the young rider competition and for the overall Series.

Brooke Miller (TIBCO) was the surprise winner of the Series Sprint competition in 2006. She burst onto the national scene with her win at the Nature Valley Grand Prix’s Cannon Falls Road Race, going on to claim that race’s Freewheel Bike Sprint jersey. She will return to defend her crown in 2007, but is likely to be in the crosshairs of veteran sprinters such as Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) and Tina Pic (Colavita).

The team competition is wide open in 2007. While, Webcor – Platinum overtook TEAm Lipton to claim the title at the Bermuda Grand Prix last year, the slate starts clean for 2007 and the transfers of stars Laura Van Gilder from Litpon to Cheerwine and Erinne Willock from Webcor – Platinum to Team ExpressCopy.com are likely to change the math.

With the registration deadline still two weeks away (March 15), thirteen teams have already committed for 2007. These teams include Series veterans Webcor Builders, TEAm Lipton, Team ExpressCopy.com, Colavita / Sutter Homes pb Cooking Light, Team Cheerwine, Aaron's, Valkyrie Sports, Team TIBCO, AE Sports Development, Advil/Chapstick and Team Kenda Tire along with newcomers Team Wachovia /IBC and ValueAct Capital.