Winder wins overall, QOM competition; Wiles takes GC second and green jersey
WOODSTOCK, Georgia (March 5, 2017) – Ruth Winder claimed her first victory of the 2017 season this past weekend, winning the Tour of the Southern Highlands in Woodstock, Georgia. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team also took home three individual stage wins and swept the jersey competitions.
“It was a great weekend of racing, with a good variety of courses and races to test us,” team director Rachel Heal said. “I’m super happy with how the team raced all weekend, and it’s good to get a weekend of US racing under our belts as we start gearing up for the bigger US UCI races.”
An evening criterium in downtown Woodstock officially kicked off the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling women team’s US spring campaign.
“The criterium went extremely well for us,” Heal said. “Katie Hall lapped the field and took the win while Lauren Hall finished second from a 2-up chase group. Tayler Wiles and Ruth brought the field home and claimed fourth and fifth. We’re feeling pretty good.”
The next morning, Winder climbed up to the top step of the podium after winning the 3-mile Merckx Time Trial six seconds ahead of Wiles. Katie Hall finished in third place, 16 seconds back.
“It was a good weekend of racing,” Winder said. “I’m really happy with win in the time trial.”
A hilly road race marked the final stage of the Tour of the Southern Highlands. Winder attacked early on in the 75-mile race and a few miles later, Wiles bridged across. The duo eventually won by over 12 minutes. Lauren Hall and Katie Hall finished third and fourth in the field sprint.
“Tactically we’re really happy with today,” Wiles said. “Ruth attacked first, then I bridged up to her. We rode really hard and we’re happy to stay away to take the stage.”
Next on the calendar is the Joe Martin Stage Race at the end of the month. The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling men’s team will be flying to Asia for the Tour de Taiwan, March 26-30.
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