Redlands Bicycle Classic (V)

30-03-2009 09:47:53

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg succeeded in winning the Redlands Classic on Sunday in nail biting dramatic fashion.

After taking third place in Thursday's uphill prologue, Teutenberg trailed Nuernberger's Amber Neben by 27 seconds. Gradually making up time over Friday and Saturday's stage Teutenberg went into the final stage still with two seconds to make up.

On a difficult course that consisted of nine laps of a hilly neighbourhood course in Redlands, the Columbia-Highroad women went on the attack to gain seconds. Winning the first time bonus sprint of the race at the top of the first climb, Teutenberg moved into the race lead by one second.

The team then raced to protect the lead over the next eight laps. A feat that proved harder than it looked. As well as constant attacks from Neben to get the jersey back, Teutenberg was involved in two crashes and had two punctured wheels.

"I couldn't have won this race today if I didn't have such a good team around me," said Teutenberg. "They kept the race together. They all stayed with me at all times to help me pacing on the climbs and get me in position for the next climb. The first time I punctured [on the penultimate lap], Emilia [Fahlin] gave me her wheel which was perfect. Unfortunately whilst we did that a girl came around the corner and crashed into us.

"On the last lap I punctured my back wheel and had to go straight into a brick wall," continued Teutenberg. "Mara [Abbott] was right there with me and we swapped bikes. I rode to the finish on her bike and she came in on my bike which looked quite funny.

"We were also very happy with the way the field reacted to my crash on the last lap. They waited for me to get back up which was great sportsmanship."

 The stage finished in a sprint with Alison Powers taking the win and Teutenberg finishing safely in the top ten to win the overall tour by a mere second.

The women now head to Europe for Ronde Van Vlaanderen World Cup which takes place next weekend in Belgium.