Race Report by Jennifer Rasmusson

(from L to R) Jen Rasmusson (Team Kenda), Leslie Jennings and Sarah Iepson (Cawes Powered By Specialized)

Team Kenda from the Mid-Atlantic Elite Team (Marni, Janelle, Chris Kelly, Tracy, Heidi, Jenn M) and myself, from the NRC team showed up for a tenacious weekend of racing in Maryland. Our pre-race plan was to try to keep two Kenda girls in contention for general classification (GC) all the way to the criterium if we could and make the field split who to chase.

The road race was a challenging rolling course with a couple of steep leg-breaking pitches and the humidity and heat did nothing to ease the day. The team road well while attacking and covering moves. In addition, Tracy and Heidi both got away for potential breakaways. Unfortunately, the field wasn’t interested in letting anyone go up the road alone and going into the bell-lap it was clear it was going to be a field sprint.

Starting the first set of stair-steppers, I dropped my chain and after my immediate horror, much to my delight both teammates Jenn M and Marni dropped back to help!  They staggered themselves from the group and launched me from one to another, so I could essentially leap-frog from one teammate to the next and then finally the field. After I connected, we settled in for the finish and it ended in a two hill – uphill field sprint and Kudos to Heidi for taking 5th and I finished 7th within 6 seconds of the leader. (before time bonus’ awarded)

The time-trial was where we planned to take the lead. Jenn Max and I had an awesome day and we went into the final stage with me leading the GC by 41 seconds and Jenn M sitting in 8th position.

The criterium was hard and hot. The goal was to keep me near the other general classification (GC) riders and work at getting Jen. Max some sprint premes in order to try and move her up a little further in GC.  Oh how plans change… Tracy unfortunately crashed and went to the hospital for X-rays. (Thankfully nothing is broken but she has lots of road rash and contusions.) Then with 7 laps to go and no free lap remaining, only 13 riders left from a 40+ rider field, I flatted on the downhill corner… Heidi and Marni selflessly dropped back: Heidi gave me her wheel and Marni gave me a pull to get me going and not to mention threw out as many words of encouragement as she could get out and still pedal at the same time. (I still don’t know how she did it!) Jen M. was in the field and tried to slow the remaining riders down, but once they knew the GC leader was chasing solo they weren’t very interested in waiting.

I chased for the last 7 laps and at one point had the gap down to about 50 seconds, but couldn’t keep it going down. In the end WE finished 2nd in GC, but it was certainly well deserved and well fought 2nd place final GC by all Kenda racers. (Washington County, June 19-20)

Full General Classification Results