VK takes 3rd at San Pedro GP

With over 100 feet if climbing per lap and a 600 meter sprint to the finish, the San Pedro Grand Prix is considered one of the toughest 1.1 mile criteriums in SoCal. Over 45 women arrived to the start line the breezy Sunday afternoon. With only two Vanderkitten riders (Jenn Reither and Jenn Wilson, A.K.A “The Jenn’s) we had our work cut out for us as we were surrounded by the teams of Helen’s, SDBC, and La Grange who all brought six riders.

Jenn and I decided it was a perfect breakaway course for us and spared no time attacking the field from the gun. With the help of Helens and a few smaller teams we were both able to get in a few breaks with small gaps, but nothing seemed to stick. After several attempts attacking in the head wind I decided to attack on the 100 foot climb. I rounded the 160 degree turn third in line and made a huge move and sprinted up the hill, settled in then motored. I heard a girl behind me say, we have a little gap. I clicked down another gear and continued to motor on the front and would assess the break later.

Within two laps our break of 8 gained 20 seconds on the field and it was time to assess the break. The break included, Pam Schuster (Helens) Jennifer Weinbrecht (B&L) Coryn Rivera (Pro Man) Kenda Ryan (MS Now) Ann Drackulich (La Grange) Laura Hines (SC Velo) and Heather Jackson (unattached) and Me, Jenn Reither (Vanderkitten). The break seemed a little large for my liking, so I heated it up the hill and into the off camber 170 degree turn 4, but had no luck dropping any riders. At 4 laps to go, I needed to start conserving and consider winning. After sitting in for 3 laps, I decided to take the final turn hot and on the inside. I ramped it up and made my move into the final corner but Kendal Ryan came under me for the inside and Jennifer Weinbrecht came over the top of me on the outside. This was still a good spot; I was 3^rd out of the turn. I stuck on Jennifer’s wheel for a moment but felt it was too slow and had to go for the line. There was still 500 meters to the finish and I knew it would be a long way but I was committed and had to go for it. At 100 meters out I was in 1^st, at 50 meters, I was 2^nd, at 25 meters, I was 3^rd and had to gut out the final 25 meters with everything I had to podium. Final Podium with 1^st Coryn Rivera (Proman) 2^nd Pam Schuster (Helens) 3^rd Jennifer Reither (Vanderkitten)

Back in the field Jenn Wilson took 2^nd in the field sprint behind Anna Lang (B&L) for 10^th.