Webcor Riders Abbott, Thorburn, and Curi Look Forward to Saturday's Road Race

Webcor riders Mara Abbott, Christine Thorburn, and Katheryn Curi were relaxing in their hotel located in the southern part of Stuttgart. After a short training ride on the Championship course they talked briefly about the time trial on Wednesday and Saturday's road race.

Christine, how was the course on Wednesday and how did your ride go?

Christine: It was windy, but I didn't notice it that much. At least it was dry. It was a really challenging course - not really any place you can rest. It was a very interesting time trial course. It had alittle bit of everything. There was a technical part and a long gradual climb through the start area. It was alot more challenging than it looked.

The U23 men and the elite woman winners both have cyclocross backgrounds and credited the cyclocross for their respective wins. Did you see this as an advantage?

Christine: There was a really fast part of the course, the downhill half of the course that lead into a tight two right turns so if you could take that faster you could gain quite a bit of time. I lost time at the first time check. Technically I am not bad, but I certainly am not one of the best and I do alot better when I get into the groove of the race.

Was there a key difference from last year's Championship course?

Christine: I think I actually had good efforts on both days. There was more of a sustained climbing last year and that is something I prefer. I am little smaller than most time trialers. I think it also did help Hanka that she raced on her home course. She lives just two hours away and she knew this course. It was a home court advantage.

What are the plans for tomorrow's ride?

Katheryn: We definitely have a strong team of seven. I think with the recent success from August that the US national team has experienced, we have alot of motivation and alot of momentum. Then you bring Christine, Kristin and Tina's energy and experience that just adds to what we already have.

Christine: I think we should not be the ones dictating the race. We have several riders that can be opportunists. The Germans, Dutch and Italians will probably try to control the race and we can play off that.

Katheryn: We'll talk strategies and what to look for in our team meeting tonight. We have a plan but I know that plan is flexible based on what is playing out in the race.

The American road team consists of Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho), Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif.), Christine Thorburn (Menlo Park, Calif.),Lauren Franges (Asheville, N.C.), Katheryn Curi (Mountain View, Calif.), Mara Abbott (Boulder, Colo.), and Tina Pic (Dahlonega, Ga.). The Webcor team spirit has definitely permeated into the strong American team.

Webcor is going to make a big push to do a substantial portion of the World Cup circuit, and will register as a UCI trade team. New riders joining the squad will be Canadian Erinne Willock, Gina Grain & Alex Wrubleski.