Women’s Prestige Cycling Series
Women’s Cycling Series Standings Released - In a Battle of the Young Guns, Webcor's rider Wrubleski climbed the top step in Redlands and tops the series standings.

Wrubleski. Get used to spelling the name.
22 year old Boulderite, Mara Abbott (High Road) seemed well on her way to defending her double win of the Individual and Best Young Rider classifications in the 2007 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series at the 2008 Series kickoff at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Abbott cruised to an impressive 25 second win in an 11 minute time trial on the opening day.

23 year old Canadian, Alex Wrubleski (Webcor) narrowed the gap from 29 to 19 seconds with a second place finish in the Beaumont Circuit race, moving from 5th to 3rd overall. Then another second place in the Redlands criterium brought her to 2nd overall, within 11 seconds of Abbott. Wrubleski delivered the coup de gras at the Sunset Road Race, where her win gave her a one second margin over Abbott.

Victory Alex Wrubleski! Photo © 2008 Action Images

“With a history of close finishes at Redlands (a one-second win in 2005 as well), Webcor devised a gutsy plan of attack to risk it all for the win rather then defend Alex’s second place”, wrote team director Karen Brems in a post-race E mail. “This success came despite having four riders suffer broken bones in the last six week.”

Wrubleski’s win, and the steady way she did it by strong performances in three consecutive stages of the Redlands Bicycle Classic, have marked the young Canadian as the rider to watch in the North American women’s circuit for 2008. And the rider for the future, possibly challenging the rock star status that Abbott achieved in the 2008 season.

Wrubleski’s dominance is emphasized by the number of jerseys that she claimed on that fateful Sunday at Redlands. By the time the podium ceremonies were complete, she was wearing the Redlands leader’s, sprinter’s and climber’s jerseys along with the individual, best young rider and sprinter’s jerseys for the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series.

Final Podium in Redlands and top competitors in the Women's Prestige Series: Mara Abbott (Team High Road), Alex Wrubleski (Webcor), and Katharine Carroll (Aarons Pro Cycling) Photo © 2008 Action Images

The current leaders in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series are:
Individual Classification
1 - 220 - Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2 - 165 - Mara Abbott, High Road
3 - 132 - Katharine Carroll, Aaron's
4 - 121 - Leigh Hobson, Cheerwine
5 - 110 - Kim Anderson, High Road

Alex Wrubleski wearing her new crown (trophy) and multiple jerseys at Redlands.
Photo © 2008 Action Images

Best Young Rider
1 - 220 - Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2 - 165 - Mara Abbott, High Road
3 - 132 - Tiffany Cromwell, Colavita/Sutter/Cooking Light
4 - 121 - Julie Beveridge, Aaron's
5 - 110 - Alison Testroete, Aaron's

Aarron's Katherine Carroll

Sprinter
1 - 220 - Alex Wrubleski, Webcor Builders
2 - 165 - Katharine Carroll, Aaron's
3 - 132 - Leigh Hobson, Cheerwine
4 - 121 - Anne Samplonius, Cheerwine
5 - 110 - Kim Anderson, High Road

Mara Abbot drew first blood in the prologue to take the yellow jersey at Redlands.

Team
1 - 572 - Webcor Builders Cycling Team
2 - 450 - Team High Road
3 - 383 - Aaron's Women's Pro Cyclng
4 - 275 - Cheerwine Cycling
5 - 259 - Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light

The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series continues in June at the Nature Valley Grand Prix on June 11 - 15 followed by the grand finale at the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational on August 2.

About the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series
The Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began in 2004 with the goal of highlighting women’s racing by giving them a spotlight that they don’t have to share with the men. The Series grew out of meetings that began in Minnesota in 2003 at the first Women’s Cycling Summit Conference hosted at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The Summits, now sponsored by Rasmussen College, take place twice a year: at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in June and at the Interbike trade show in September.
Visit www.WomenCyclists.com for more information.

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