Hanson, Peñuela and Hall podium at Alabama Cycling Classic
“I love racing here in Alabama,” said Hall, last year’s winner of the Sunny King Criterium and first stop on the US Pro Road Tour. “The event has a long-standing history of attracting a tough field, which makes it even more exciting to participate in. This year, despite not grabbing that elusive win, we were able to make some magic happen with great teamwork and communication.”
The rainy, hour long Sunny King Criterium was the first test of the classic. The team rode aggressively from the start, with Hanson igniting a three-woman breakaway. The trio were able to hold off the approaching field, and in the final stretch to the line, Hanson was narrowly outkicked by Lily Williams of Hagens Berman Supermint.
The next day, the women tackled the Piedmont Road Race, a 39-mile course featuring 2,342.66 feet of climbing across Talladega National Forest.
After multiple attempts to breakaway during the course of the race, it ended up as a bunch sprint. Peñuela bettered her third place from last year and claimed second place behind Peta Mullens of Hagens Berman Supermint. Hall rounded out the podium in third place.
Next stop for the women’s team is the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas.
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