Zirbel, Mirabella clinch overall in Valley of the Sun
Sunshine and blue skies marked Sunday's finale to the 14th annual John Earley Memorial Valley of the Sun Stage Race, the Landis Cyclery Downtown Capital Criterium in Phoenix. Attacks and breaks were the order of the day in both men’s and women’s races, run on a 1.6km, figure-eight course at Wesley Bolen Plaza, but nothing stuck. In the 70-minute men’s crit, Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) proved best of the bunch, taking the win ahead of Emile Abraham (AEG-Toshiba-JetNet) and Wes Hartman (Targetraining). The 40-minute women’s crit went to Laura Downey (America’s Dairyland), who outkicked
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By VeloNews Interactive
Photo: courtesy Valley of the Sun
Sunshine and blue skies marked Sunday’s finale to the 14th annual John Earley Memorial Valley of the Sun Stage Race, the Landis Cyclery Downtown Capital Criterium in Phoenix.
Attacks and breaks were the order of the day in both men’s and women’s races, run on a 1.6km, figure-eight course at Wesley Bolen Plaza, but nothing stuck.
In the 70-minute men’s crit, Neil Shirley (Jittery Joe’s) proved best of the bunch, taking the win ahead of Emile Abraham (AEG-Toshiba-JetNet) and Wes Hartman (Targetraining).
Photo: courtesy Valley of the Sun
The 40-minute women’s crit went to Laura Downey (America’s Dairyland), who outkicked Anna Webb (Karl Strauss-SDBC) and Nicky Wangsgard (CPT-Colnago Pro).
When the times were finally tallied, Tom Zirbel (Priority Health) and Erin Mirabella (Bicycle Johns), both of whom finished in their respective bunches on the day, had clinched the overall victories. Curtis Gunn (Team Successful Living) and Ryan Blickem (Targetraining) were second and third overall in the men’s competition, with Andrea Ratkovic (B1 Rocks) and Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail) second and third among the women.
Results
Men
1. Neil Shirley, Jittery Joe’s, 1:10:05
2. Emile Abraham, AEG-Toshiba-JetNet, same time
3. Wes Hartman, Targetraining, s.t.
4. Jeremiah Wiscovitch, Successful Living, s.t.
5. Andy Wilson, Karl Strauss-SDBC, s.t.
6. Nathan Rogut, Compliance Depot, s.t.
7. Austin King, Jittery Joe’s, s.t.
8. Randall Coxworth, Karl Strauss-SDBC, s.t.
9. Robbie King, Priority Health, s.t.
10. Jaime Gandara, Southwest Speed, s.t.
Women
1. Laura Downey, America’s Dairyland, 33:25
2. Anna Webb, Karl Strauss-SDBC, same time
3. Nicky Wangsgard, CPT-Colnago Pro, s.t.
4. Miranda Duff, CPT-Colnago Pro, s.t.
5. S Anne amplonius, Team Biovail, s.t.
6. Gina Voci, Cheerwine, s.t.
7. Erin Mirabella, Bicycle Johns, s.t.
8. Laurel Green, Team Mack Paper, s.t.
9. Catherine Dickson, Bicycle Ranch, s.t.
10. Carol Hutton, Vitesse-Argon, s.t.
Overall (after three of three stages)
Men
1. Tom Zirbel, Priority Health, 5:33:16
2. Curtis Gunn, Team Successful Living, at 0:18
3. Ryan Blickem, Targetraining, at 0:39
4. Clayton Barrows, Agisko-Dart-Cyclin at 0:48
5. Peter Andersen, Hi-Tech Bikes, at 0:49
6. K Austin ing, Jittery Joe’s, at 0:51
7. Neil Shirley, Jittery Joe’s, at 1:03
8. Brian Sheedy, Priority Health, at 1:14
9. Jake Rubelt, AEG-Toshiba-JetNet, at 1:24
10. David Harward, Porcupine-Specialized, at 1:26
Women
1. Erin Mirabella, Bicycle Johns, 3:52:35
2. Andrea Ratkovic, B1 Rocks, at 0:23
3. Anne Samplonius, Team Biovail, at 0:24
4. Gabriela Gonzales-Ferrat, Hi-Tech Bikes, at 0:30
5. Jennifer Reither, Bicycle Johns, at 1:07
6. Betsy Galenti, America’s Dairyland, at 1:14
7. Mara Abbott, Sports Garage, at 1:45
8. Carmen Small, Vitamin Cottage, at 1:47
9. Shannon Koch, Compliance Depot, at 1:53
10. Maggie Williams, Landis-Trek-VW, at 2:00
