Domestic Intel: Women’s series starts, a ride for Sandy Hook, and more

Women’s race series kicks off at Redlands

Specialized-lululemon leads the overall standings in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series after a strong performance at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, the first race of the three-event series.

Tayler Wiles, 22, finished second overall in the opening event of the 10th edition of the series. She is second in the individual series standings and sits atop the best young rider classification. Specialized’s Ally Stacher added to the team’s points total in Redlands, which propelled Specialized to the top spot.

NOW-Novartis for MS is second overall, while Tibco-To the Top is third. NOW’s Alison Powers won the overall Redlands title and leads both the individual and sprint competitions in the series.

“I’m proud to lead the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series,” Powers said in a press release. “Promoting women’s racing is very important to our sport. With the cancellation of the Exergy Tour, this series is the only chance for the women to have their own spotlight.”

Connecticut police officer to honor Sandy Hook victims

A Hartford, Connecticut, police officer plans to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting with a 26-hour bike ride in June.

Sergeant James Elliott, director for the U.S. Military Cycling Team, will ride his bike in memory of the 20 children and six staff members killed in the incident last December in Newtown, Connecticut. He estimates the ride will take him over more than 400 miles of road.

Sergeant Elliott will start at the Hartford Police Department at 6 a.m. ET on June 14, and he’ll end in the city the next day at 8 a.m. On May 19, he’ll host a benefit to raise money for the Sandy Hook Memorial Fund.

Providence festival adds gran fondo

The Providence Cyclocross Festival has added a mass-start road cycling event to its line-up for 2013.

Race organizers on Wednesday announced a deal with Kermesse Sport to host a mass-participation ride, called Gran Fondo New England, to be held October 6 this year. It will include distances of 50 kilometers, 100km, and 100 miles.

“It’s a natural outgrowth,” race organizer Richard Fries said in a press release. “It is the Providence Cyclocross Festival, but it’s about celebrating cycling in all its forms, be it racing, recreational riding, or advocacy. As we expand our reach into the community, why not expand out on the road as well?”

Kermesse Sport owner Brian Ignatin said the event has been a long time coming.

“Providence has all of the amenities of the world’s largest cities, yet is in an area with beautiful countryside immediately outside the city limits,” Ignatin said. “And with its proximity to major metropolitan areas like Boston and New York, it’s a great addition to any cyclist’s late-season calendar.”

For more information about the race, visit the event’s website.

Page signs long-term deal with Fuji Bikes

U.S. cyclocross champion Jonathan Page will compete on Fuji Bikes for the rest of his career, thanks to a recent deal he signed with the manufacturer.

The four-time national champion had initially signed with Fuji before the 2013 U.S. cyclocross championships. After inking a new contract, Fuji will now sponsor the 36-year-old Page for the next three years.

“Jonathan is not only one of the best ’cross racers in the world; he’s a terrific person, who spends hours signing autographs and chatting with fans after a race,” Fuji sponsorship manager Milay Galvez said in a press release. “He has already brought great value to our sponsorship by giving us excellent product feedback, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue this relationship.”

Page will ride Fuji’s Altamira CX frame. Later this season, he will use the 2014 Altamira CX Signature Edition, which was designed for Page and features stars and stripes graphics.

“I’ll be on the fastest bikes in the world for the rest of my professional career. Feeling lucky and thankful,” Page wrote on Facebook and Twitter.

Mancebo leads 5-Hour Energy in Spain

The 5-Hour Energy-Kenda team showed well at the Vuelta a Castilla y León in Spain last weekend.

Francisco “Paco” Mancebo rode to second place overall, behind Rubén Plaza (Movistar), in the three-day race that ended April 14. Finishing third was Carlos Barbero (Euskaltel-Euskadi). Mancebo previously won the race twice (2000, 2003) while racing for European-based teams.

This was the first time 5-Hour Energy competed in Europe this season.

“I feel good that we went for it and that the 5-hour Energy Team leaves with a second place in the general classification,” Mancebo said in a team release.

The squad will next compete in the Joe Martin Stage Race from April 25-28 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.