Ladies lead a week of strong performances

Back in full swing, the riders of the USA Cycling National Development Program contested the Tour of Bretagne Feminin in France. They also have started competing in Le Tour de l'Abitibi in Canada and the U23 Tour of Liege in Belgium. Additionally, many alumni of the Program posted stellar results at the 2011 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships in Ketchum, Idaho.

ROAD

In the early stages of the Tour of Bretagne Feminin, Jackie Crowell was in top three of the general classification and Coryn Rivera donned the Young Riders jersey. (Photo by Jackson Stewart)

A group of six women contested the Tour of Bretagne Feminin, a four-day stage race in France, spanning July 14-17. The USA Cycling contingent had a strong showing, placing three riders in the top 20 of the general classification. Jackie Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Team Type 1 Development) led the effort placing fourth while Ashley James (Dousman, Wisc./Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder) placed 15th and Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) finished 18th. Kendall Ryan (Ventura, Calif./Team TIBCO to the Top) finished 36th, Cinthia Lehner (Greer, S.C.) and Kaitlin Antonneau (Racine, Wisc./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12) placed 49th and 55th, respectively. Additionally, Rivera finished sixth and Crowell placed eighth in the Queen of the Mountains classification. James placed third in the Young Rider classification.

In the opening stage, the riders executed the plan perfectly and placed Crowell third in the general classification and Rivera earned the Young Rider's Jersey. Crowell posted the best result in the second stage (individual time trial), finishing 10th after a crash caused her more mechanical problems than physical harm. The third stage was a 120.9-kilometer road race traversing rolling hills in wet and windy conditions. While Ryan was the top American finisher, placing sixth in the stage, Crowell flatted late, costing her valuable time in the general classification. Crowell battled back to place fifth in the fourth stage — a 110.1-kilometer race — but was one second short of third place in the general classification.

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Several current and past riders in the USA Cycling National Development Program participated in the 2011 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships at Sun Valley Resort in Ketchum, Idaho, from July 14-17. Check out all of the results and photos.

COMING UP

USA Cycling sent a contingent of six riders to Le Tour de l'Abitibi, a seven-stage race in Amos, Canada. The racing commenced July 19 and will continue until July 24. Check out next week's Development Wrap for a full report.

Gregory Daniel (Englewood, Colo./Chipotle Junior Development Team)
Alex Darville (Santa Barbara, Calif./Echelon Santa Barbara)
Kristo Jorgenson (Boise, Idaho/BYRDS)
Mathew Lipscomb (Decatur, Ga./Hincapie Development Team)
Colby Wait-Molyneux (Vancouver, Wash./Hammer Nutrition-CMG Racing Team)
Tyler Williams (Shafter, Calif./All Sport-Team Swift)

Also underway is the U23 Tour of Liege, a five-day race in Belgium from July 18-22. There will be a full report in next week's Development Wrap. The following six riders are contesting for USA Cycling:

Adam Liebowitz (Indianapolis, Ind./OUCH Pro Cycling)
Eamon Lucas (Pacific Grove, Calif./California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized)
Ty Magner (Athens, Ga./Team Type 1 Development)
Conor O'Leary (Belt, Mont./Montana Junior Cycling Foundation)
Tanner Putt (Roswell, Ga./Team Type 1 Development)
Mike Stone (Monroe, Ga./Hincapie Development)

USA Cycling will send a group of women to contest the Tour du Limousin, a five-day stage race in France. Below are the riders contesting for USA Cycling:

Kaitlin Antonneau (Racine, Wisc./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12)
Jackie Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Team Type 1 Development)
Ashley James (Dousman, Wisc./Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder)
Cinthia Lehner (Greer, S.C.)
Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY 12)
Kendall Ryan (Ventura, Calif./Team TIBCO to the Top)

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.