Wentworth solos for a second prime (Photo by Paul Forsythe)

Race report by Paul Forsythe

Perfect weather greeted the women’s field at Sunday’s Tour of Elk Grove finale. In a move that has become typical for Kenda’s Kristin Wentworth, Kristin soloed off the front from the start. Remaining unchallenged, Kristin built her lead to 12 seconds when the first prime was announced. Glancing over her shoulder, Kristin confirmed her advantage and rode alone to take the prime. The pack was concerned and Kristin’s gap was cut in half until another prime was announced. Head down, and finish line bound, Wentworth motored to another prime win before returning to the safety of the pack for recovery.

The race then became the Joelle Numainville show, as she won sprint after sprint, ringing Kenda’s cash register again and again until Saturday’s race winner, Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom), gave her a challenge she could not match for the mid-race prime. It looked like Laura and Joelle might try to carry their gap from that sprint effort, but just one half lap later found Laura and Joelle sitting at the front of the reformed group of women.

Van Gilder remained carefully checked by Kenda for the balance of the race, which set up Catherine Walberg (3rd place in Saturday’s race) to take yet another prime for Team Kenda. With three laps to go, Numainville nipped Van Gilder at the line for the final prime of the race.

In the end, it was Numainville (Kenda), Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom), and Meshberg (BH USA) for the medals, Joelle crossing the line well ahead after a very animated field sprint.

Pictures to come…