Van Gilder shows it doesn't have to be a bunch kick to win

by Kristy Scrymgeour

May 29, 2005

Arlington, VA, As could probably have been predicted by most, especially if they have raced here over the past few years, it was Ina Teutenberg who made the very early move, breaking away on the third lap, never to be seen again. Reminiscent of 2001 Teutenberg took Laura Van Gilder with her and the two sprinters took off for their 50-kilometre partnership. Back in the field, Victory Brewing quickly realised they had missed what could possibly be the winning move, put a couple of riders on the front to try and bring things back, but without full strength at the front, it was not to be and the breakaway duo worked well together and continued to gain time.

As the race proceeded, a few riders tried to attack, and midway through the race Victory Brewing put if a flurry of one attack after the other, but Teutenberg's T-Mobile teammates continued to bring things back and the break stayed away. It was with two laps to go that Teutenberg, probably the strongest sprinter but not confident she could win today after illness put her in bed yesterday, decided to attack. Van Gilder was on it however, and Teutenberg didn't get far, leaving the two of them back together to sprint it out. On the final straight, Van Gilder had the upper hand sitting in behind Teutenberg and the track stand game began. Finally Teutenberg kicked but couldn't hold Van Gilder off and the Quark rider came around to take the almost-photo-finish win on the line.

Van Gilder's grin spread from ear to ear, knowing that she had pulled off a pretty special victory against the German. "Once I got in the break I was looking forward to duking it out with Ina," explained Van Gilder after the race. "I really wanted to go woman on woman. In other races this year she has always got away from me, so I'm glad I got the opportunity this time."

"I knew [Ina] would try and make a move late," she continued. She is a very savvy rider, but I told myself to be confident and in the break I was ready to do it and I gave it 100% and take my chances."

Teutenberg was less than pleased with her performance, knowing that she had messed up the final lap. "It sucks to lose," she joked on the podium, "but Laura deserved the win."

"I went early," she told Cyclingnews later, referring to her attack with just over a lap to go, "because I was worried I wouldn't beat her in the sprint. In hindsight I should have done things differently."