Devo Wrap: Ladies take center stage in Europe

Devo Wrap: Ladies take center stage in Europe

The women's road program in the USA Cycling National Development Program (NDP) is in high gear as they contested a pair of races in Belgium over the last week. On Wednesday, the women competed in Le Samyn des Dames before riding in the Omloop van het Hageland Tielt-Winge on Sunday.

Le Samyn des Dames

Heather Fischer leads Michelle Geoghegan during Le Samyn des Dames on Wednesday. (Photo by Jack Seehafer)

Jade Wilcoxson (Talent, Ore./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) was the unit's best-placed rider, finishing 20th in the final results. Jacquelyn Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Exergy TWENTY16) crossed the finish line 10 seconds behind Wilcoxson and 4:28 behind the winner, Ellen Van Dijk (NED). Megan Guarnier (Mountain View, Calif./Rabobank-Liv-Giant), who was subbing for Lauren De Crescenzo (Boulder, Colo./Team Kenda p/b RACC), finished with the same time as Crowell in 51st place.

Shelley Olds (Gilroy, Calif./Team TIBCO-To the Top) finished second overall, 3:16 behind Van Dijk, while riding for her trade team.

The riders stayed together during the first 40 kilometers. As they began the first of four 20-kilometer finishing loops, Heather Fischer (Boulder, Colo./Exergy TWENTY16) worked to keep her teammates in favorable position. The finishing circuits included a small plateau with crosswinds that would split the peloton each lap.

A small break of four riders escaped with two laps remaining. The USA Cycling contingent remained in the peloton and worked to keep Wilcoxson in good position throughout the final two laps. The peloton finished in a field sprint with Guarnier being the final leadout for Wilcoxson, who had a long, uphill sprint to finish 20th.

Check out a photo gallery of pictures from the race.

Omloop van het Hageland Tielt-Winge

From left to right: Jacquelyn Crowell, Jamie Bookwalter, Lauren De Crescenzo, Jade Wilcoxson and Heather Fischer during team presentation at Omloop van Het Hageland Tielt-Winge. (Photo by Jack Seehafer)

Shelley Olds (Gilroy, Calif./Team TIBCO-To the Top) continued her strong riding as she placed second to Emily Collins (NZL) in the final results while riding for her trade team.

Jade Wilcoxson (Talent, Ore./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Jacquelyn Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Exergy TWENTY16) stuck with the peloton throughout the race and finished 17th and 29th, respectively, in the field sprint. Jamie Bookwalter (Asheville, N.C./Colavita Racing, Inc.) placed 39 seconds behind Collins in 48th place.

The peloton remained together throughout the race. A few breakaway attempts gained three kilometers, gaining no more than 10 seconds before being chased down.

Lauren De Crescenzo (Boulder, Colo./Team Kenda p/b RACC) and Heather Fischer (Boulder, Colo./Exergy TWENTY16) also contested the race.

Check out a photo gallery of pictures during the race.

COMING UP

The following group of women will compete in three races in the Netherlands:

Jacquelyn Crowell (Maitland, Fla./Exergy TWENTY16)
Lauren De Crescenzo (Boulder, Colo./Team Kenda p/b RACC)
Heather Fischer (Boulder, Colo./Exergy TWENTY16)
Janel Holcomb (San Diego, Calif./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)
Jade Wilcoxson (Talent, Ore./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)

On March 7, the riders will toe the line in the Drentse 8 before contesting the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe on March 9 and Novilon Euregio Cup on March 10.

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.

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