NCC: Alzate pulls away as Cliff-Ryan surges up the standings

  
  


The USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) sped through a pair of multi-day events last weekend. The action began Friday in Tulsa, Okla., with the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough spanning June 7-9. There was also criterium action on the east coast as riders competed in the Air Force Cycling Classic in Arlington, Va., from June 8-9.

Aldo Imo Ilesic topped the pro men's podium after winning Saturday's Air Force Cycling Classic race. (Photo by Douglas Graham, WLP)
Aldo Imo Ilesic topped the pro men's podium after winning Saturday's Air Force Cycling Classic race. (Photo by Douglas Graham, WLP)
The five riders that comprised the top five of the NCC men's standings remain in top five, although one rider has made a move toward the top. Luke Keough (Sandwich, Mass./UnitedHealthcare) topped the omnium in Oklahoma and has moved from fifth place in last week's standings into third place with 585 points. The standings leader, Carlos Alzate Escobar (COL/UnitedHealthcare), who finished second in the omnium in Tulsa, has opened a 140-point cushion on Hilton Clarke (AUS/UnitedHealthcare) in the race for the top spot. Shane Kline (Bally, Pa./Team SmartStop p/b Mountain Khakis) holds fourth place with 562 points, only 23 points behind Keough. Karl Menzies (AUS/UnitedHealthcare) is only 52 points behind Kline in fifth place.

Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich./Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy) won two of the three races in Oklahoma to top the women's omnium and continue her ascent in the NCC women's standings. Cliff-Ryan moved from third place in last week's standings into second place, 315 points behind the standings leader Erica Allar (Tucson, Ariz./CARE4CYCLING p/b Solomon Corp), who leads the standings with 850 points. Laura van Gilder (Cresco, Pa./Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers), who finished second in the omnium in Virginia, slipped down one spot into third place with 457 points while Samantha Schneider (Milwaukee, Wis./Team TIBCO-To the Top) has moved into fourth place with 358 points. Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas/Rouse-Oogie Racing) rounds out the top five with 330 points.

Theresa Cliff-Ryan topped the women's omnium podium after winning two of three races in Tulsa. (Photo by Jake Drevs)
Theresa Cliff-Ryan topped the women's omnium podium after winning two of three races in Tulsa. (Photo by Jake Drevs)
UnitedHealthcare continues to dominate the NCC men's team standings. After sweeping the top three omnium positions in Tulsa and placing a fourth rider in fourth place in the Air Force Cycling Classic omnium, UnitedHealthcare has amassed 3,278 points. Team SmartStop p/b Mountain Khakis remains in second place with 1,367 points. Jamis-Hagens Berman, which earned the top three spots of the omnium in Virginia, remains in third place with 646 points. Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies holds fourth place with 282 points while Jelly Belly Cycling moved into fifth place with 269 points.

CARE4CYCLING powered by Solomon Corp remains the NCC women's team standings leader with 1,239 points. Colavita-Fine Cooking sits in second place with 754 points. Team TIBCO-To the Top remains in third place with 698 points while Exergy TWENTY16 moved up one spot into fourth place with 525 points. Primal Pro women p/b BH rounds out the top five with 401 points.

Check out a photo gallery from the Tulsa Tough.

Full results of Saint Francis Tulsa Tough.
Full results of the Air Force Cycling Classic.

 

USA Cycling NCC Standings:

Men's Standings
1. Carlos Alzate Escobar (COL/UnitedHealthcare) — 1,101
2. Hilton Clarke (AUS/UnitedHealthcare) — 961
3. Luke Keough (Sandwich, Mass./UnitedHealthcare) — 585
4. Shane Kline (Bally, Pa./Team SmartStop p/b Mountain Khakis) — 562
5. Karl Menzies (AUS/UnitedHealthcare) — 510

Women's Individual Standings
1. Erica Allar (Tucson, Ariz./CARE4CYCLING powered by Solomon Corp) — 850
2. Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich./Fearless Femme p/b Pure Energy) — 535
3. Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, Pa./Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers) — 457
4. Samantha Schneider (Milwaukee, Wis./Team TIBCO-To the Top) — 358
4. Christina Gokey-Smith (Denton, Texas/Rouse-Oogie Racing) — 330

Men's Team Standings
1. UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling — 3,278
2. Team SmartStop-Mountain Khakis — 1,367
3. Jamis Hagens Berman — 646
4. Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies — 282
5. Jelly Belly Cycling — 269

Women's Team Standings
1. CARE4CYCLING powered by Solomon — 1,239
2. Colavita-Fine Cooking — 754
3. Team TIBCO-To the Top — 698
4. Exergy TWENTY16 — 525
5. Primal Pro Women p/b BH — 401
 

For complete standings, visit the NCC's official webpage at usacycling.org/ncc.

After a weekend without an event on the NCC, the riders will return to action for the Tour of America's Dairyland in Wisconsin from June 20-23.


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This Article Updated June 10, 2013 @ 10:41 PM For more information contact: