Stage 3 – Criterium – 1hr

Today racers took to the streets of Downtown Redlands to contest the Beaver Medical criterium.  The race was fast from the gun as battle lines were drawn with each team trying to protect there positions leading into tomorrows Sunset Road race.  T-Mobile and Webcor wanted to establish a break so that the midway time bonus could be won by non GC riders protecting the team leader’s position in the overall.

In the first sprint for points, Quarks Laura Van Gilder who was away in a break, took the points over Lara Kroepsch of T-mobile. The field sprint was won by Quarks Green jersey clad Helen Kelly.

As the second sprint approached the field was together and Ina Teutenberg of T-Mobile came around the corner first, taking the 3 seconds and the points.  She then put her head down and powered away. Quarks Annette Beutler took second and the 2 second time bonus moving her with 1 second of Kim Baldwin and 7 of the yellow jersey worn by Christine Thorburn of Webcor.

As Teutenberg was blasting off the front Andrea Ratkovic of the Bicycle Store was able to respond and get up to Teutenberg’s wheel and the two were away for good. In the end the great German sprinter was able to drop Ratkovic on the last lap and finished with her arms raised high as she not only won the day but pulled the sprinters jersey over her head for the points she earned on the road.

Quarks Tina Pic was able to win the field sprint for third to round out the podium while Thorburn and her teammates were able to rest for what will sure to be an exciting finish to the Redlands Classic tomorrow for the final stage.

Results

1 Ina Teutenberg  ( T-Mobile)

2 Andrea Ratkovic (The Bicycle Store)

3 Tina Pic  ( Quark Cycling Team )