Hub Racing

Sunday June 17th 2007
Washington DC

Laura Van Gilder conquers the Nation's Capital again!
Repeating her victory from 2006, Laura Van Gilder of the
UCI Pro Team Cheerwine becomes the first woman to repeat in
the $5000 Hub Racing Women's Challenge, part of the City
Bikes RFK Criterium Bicycle Race in Washington DC.

With temperatures hovering around 120 degrees on the smooth
hot tarmac of the RFK Stadium Grand Prix Race Course, a
star-studded women's pro field began the bike race with
attack after attack. Hub Racing, venturing to show its
colors at its home race, sent rider after rider off the
front in an attempt to put Van Gilder on the defensive.
Cari Higgins of American Dairyland countered several times
to pick up a pair the early primes.

But Van Gilder found her moment and was launched by
Cheerwine teammate Catherine Cheatly a little over half way
through the 30-mile 18-lap race. Van Gilder exploded out of
the field in the long finishing straight and never looked
back. Absolute panic ensued in the peleton and several
riders took off after Van Gilder in desperation only to
find her untouchable.

Every team from Aaron's Pro Cycling to Team Kenda Tire to
hometown Hub Racing took turns launching riders at the
Power Puff of the Poconos, but all attempts to chase were
futile. Van Gilder's solo lead would grow to close to one
minute before she crossed the finish line, arms raised
high, unaffected by the afternoon's oven-like atmosphere.

Anna Lang of SDBC/Karl Strauss would win the sprint for 2nd
place ahead of the dehydrated and exhausted women's field.
Sarah Caravella (Aaron's Professional Women's Cycling Team}
would take 3rd to complete the podium. Host team Hub
Racing's Jenette Williams sprinted into another top 10 with
6th place.

full results and photos
http://www.hubracing.com/criterium/rfk2007/