Aaron’s Sweeps the Series’ Titles

The Presbyterian Hospital Invitational, the 2008 grand finale of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series, proved to be decisive in the Series team standings. Criterium specialists finally had their day in a Series that has long been composed entirely of stage races. Aaron’s Women’s Pro Cycling capitalized on the opportunity by winning the race and placing four riders in the top 20, vaulting them past previous leader Cheerwine to claim the Series team title by an impressive 175 point margin.

Full Results

WPCS Team Classification

1 - 1032 - Aaron's Women's Pro Cycling
2 - 857 - Cheerwine Cycling
3 - 649 - Colavita/Sutter Home
4 - 436 - Team TIBCO
5 - 151 - Advil-ChapStick
6 - 31 - Team Kenda Tire


WPCS Individual Classification

Aaron’s rider Katherine Carroll easily defended her Individual Series lead by winning the race. Anne Samplonius (Cheerwine), her likely rival for the Series title, finished 17th on the day, leaving Carroll with a dominating margin of almost double the points of Samplonius. Notably, Cheerwine did demonstrate impressive depth, claiming three of the top four spots in the Series individual classification.

1 - 517 - Katharine Carroll (Aaron's)
2 - 242 - Anne Samplonius (Cheerwine)
3 - 231 - Leigh Hobson (Cheerwine)
4 - 184 - Laura VanGilder (Cheerwine)
5 - 165 - Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO)


WPCS Best Young Rider

Alison Testroete (Aaron’s) was the surprise winner of the Series Best Young Rider competition, vaulting from 10th to the top spot when she finished first among riders under 26 in Charlotte. Lauren Franges (Team TIBCO), the pre-race favorite, ended up second after sacrificing her chances by riding for teammate Brooke Miller. Tiffany Cromwell (Colavita / Sutter Home) finished in third.

1 - 330 - Alison Testroete (Aaron’s)
2 - 297 - Lauren Franges (Team TIBCO)
3 - 253 - Tiffany Cromwell (Colavita/Sutter Home)
4 - 220 - Catherine Cheatley (Cheerwine Cycling)
5 - 165 - Samantha Schneider (Colavita/Sutter Home)


WPCS Sprinter Classification

Winning the race also secured Carroll’s position as the Series sprint leader. Second and third place finishes in Charlotte by Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO) and Tina Pic (Colavita / Sutter Home) moved them into second and third for the Series sprint title, ahead of likely contender Samplonius, who ended the Series in fourth.

1 - 484 - Katharine Carroll (Aaron's)
2 - 286 - Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO)
3 - 264 - Tina Pic (Colavita / Sutter Home)
4 - 220 - Anne Samplonius (Cheerwine)
5 - 220 - Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO)


About the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series

The 2008 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began at the Redlands Bicycle Classic (April 3 – 6), followed by the Nature Valley Grand Prix (June 11 – 15) and then finished with the grand finale at the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational on August 2.

The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began in 2004 with the goal of highlighting women’s racing by giving them a spotlight that they don’t have to share with the men. The Series grew out of meetings that began in Minnesota in 2003 at the first Women’s Cycling Summit Conference hosted at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The Summit, now sponsored by Rasmussen College, takes place at the Nature Valley Grand Prix every June.