Devo Wrap: Guarnier garners recognition

Seven women clipped into their bikes to race for USA Cycling's National Development Program at a pair of one-day road races in Belgium. Megan Guarnier paced the contingent's effort placing fifth and 15th at the two races while Jackie Crowell rode in the lead breakaway at the Omloop van het Hageland.

WOMEN
Le Samyn des Dames

On Wednesday, Feb. 29, a group of six American women contested Le Samyn des Dames, a one-day race in Belgium. In a sprint of 25 riders, Megan Guarnier (Mountain View, Calif./TIBCO-To the Top) overcame a broken rear wheel to finish fifth.

"My teammates marked potential moves, however, the nature of the course and the weather conditions were not conducive to a breakaway" Guarnier said. "Due to mishaps, I found myself alone with about six kilometers to go and knew it was going to be a tough fight against the top teams. Considering the competition and it was my first race of 2012, I am satisfied with fifth and it scored some UCI points for the USA.  I am looking forward to the next races and hope to be on the podium, and continue to score points for the USA as we look forward to the Olympics."

Samantha Schneider (Milwaukee, Wisc./TIBCO-To the Top) was 1:05 back while Robin Farina (Charlotte, N.C./NOW and Novartis) was 1:37 back. Andrea Dvorak (Crozet, Va./Exergy Twenty12) and Amanda Miller (Fort Collins, Colo./TIBCO-To the Top) were 3:00 behind. Alexis Ryan (Ventura, Calif./Team TIBCO II) finished 7:18 behind the winner, Adrie Visser (NED).

Check out Alexis Ryan's blog of her experience.

Omloop van het Hageland

Jackie Crowell spent the majority of the Omloop van het Hageland in the lead breakaway. (Photo by Bart Hazen)

Officially, Megan Guarnier (Mountain View, Calif./TIBCO-To the Top) finished 15th, Samantha Schneider (Milwaukee, Wisc./TIBCO-To the Top) was 46th, Robin Farina (Charlotte, N.C./NOW and Novartis for MS) placed 50th while Andrea Dvorak (Crozet, Va./Exergy Twenty12) and Crowell placed 55th and 60th, respectively.

COMING UP

A group of women are slated to compete in three separate one-day road races in the Netherlands. The first race, Drentse 8, is scheduled for Thursday, March 8. The next race, Ronde van Drenthe, is a World Cup scheduled for Saturday, March 10. The trio of races concludes on Sunday, March 11 with the Novilon Eurocup.

Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich./Exergy Twenty12)
Jackie Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Exergy Twenty12)
Andrea Dvorak (Crozet, Va./Exergy Twenty12)
Robin Farina (Charlotte, N.C./NOW and Novartis for MS)
Ashley James (Dousman, Wisc./NOW and Novartis for MS)
Carmen Small (Durango, Colo./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)

USA Cycling's National Development Programs are supported by the USA Cycling Development Foundation. Support the future of American cycling with an online donation now.