Alexander wins Deer Valley cross-country
British cross-country champion Caroline Alexander has recovered quite nicely from the tough HP Women's Challenge road race in Idaho that she finished last Sunday. Alexander won the Chevy Trucks NORBA cross-country race at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, Friday. To earn her first NORBA win, the Specialized rider had to stop the winning machine that is Mary Grigson. The Australian Gary Fisher-Subaru rider had won five in a row, a streak dating back to last season, and was attempting to tie the record of six set by Juli Furtado in 1993. "I'm really, really surprised," said Alexander
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By Kip Mikler, VeloNews Editor
Photo:
British cross-country champion Caroline Alexander has recovered quite nicely from the tough HP Women’s Challenge road race in Idaho that she finished last Sunday. Alexander won the Chevy Trucks NORBA cross-country race at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, Friday.
To earn her first NORBA win, the Specialized rider had to stop the winning machine that is Mary Grigson. The Australian Gary Fisher-Subaru rider had won five in a row, a streak dating back to last season, and was attempting to tie the record of six set by Juli Furtado in 1993.
“I’m really, really surprised,” said Alexander after finishing the tough 20.5-mile race in 1:54:03. “I thought Friday was too soon to be able to push myself. My coach said, ‘Please, please only ride 80 percent.'”
Eighty percent was all the British climbing ace needed to beat an ailing Grigson by 1:15. Ruthie Matthes (Trek-Volkswagen) finished third, 2:32 off Alexander’s pace.
A complete report and results will be posted later today, after the men’s race which begins at 2 p.m. mountain time.