Van Gilder gets the job done in Somerville by Kristy Scrymgeour

May 30, 2005

A delighted Laura Van Gilder (Quark)
Photo ©: Jon Devich

Adding to a rich history on the streets of Somerville, NJ, Laura Van Gilder (Quark) and Kyle Wamsley (Snow Valley) took out their respective events in the race that has drawn crowds of spectators since 1940. Tour of Somerville is the longest continual bike race in America. Since its inception in 1940, the only three years the race hasn't been held were the years of 1943 to 1946 due to World War II. The bike of Furman Kugler, who won the race in its first two years, is cased in class along one of the end straights of the course. It was his father, Fred, who started the bike race that was to become a legend to the residents of Somerville.

The crowds were out yet again today enjoying the Memorial Day race, and so was the sun. This year the course has changed slightly with the finishing straight and the back straight swapping places. The course is known for its long wide-open straights which make it hard for breaks to stick and today, according to the riders, there seemed to be a headwind going both directions.

The women started off the pro events with 130 girls lining up for the 20-mile race. The field was strung out immediately, helped by the fact that, after one lap a bell rang announcing the first prime of the day. Amy Moore from Victory Brewing won the prime after which Rebecca Much attacked and kept the field strung out. Every two laps for the first half of the race offered a prime sprint, making attacks hard to succeed.

Midway through the race Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile) won the big prime of the day, taking $500 for her team and causing a slight split in the field. It was then that Kristen LaSasso (Team Lipton) attacked to get the most convincing gap of the day. A lap later she was joined by Lisa Jellet (CTS/Cranford Bike Club) and the pair worked well together for another lap. When they were caught LaSasso's Lipton teammate Liza Rachetto countered the move, but the Victory Brewing girls were right onto it and with just over three laps remaining in the race it was all back together.

Taking the final prime of the day was Rebecca Larsen (Colavita Olive Oil) and then the Victory Brewing team hit the front to start he lead out for the finish. Up in the mix was the T-Mobile team and a couple of Quark riders, with Van Gilder safely tucked in on the wheel of her teammate Sarah Uhl.

Leading the final corner with Teutenberg on her wheel was Lara Kroepsh, but then Shannon Hutchison (Aaron's Corporate Furnishings) attacked down the side. Teutenberg hopped on her wheel with Van Gilder in tow. With 150 meters to go Van Gilder came around and nobody could match her speed as she took the win, making it her third win in as many days. Teutenberg took second and Hutchison held on for third.

Van Gilder was again excited with her win, emphasising how nice it is to win in front of a home crowd and the people who have supported her throughout her 14-year cycling career. "There are people her that I started racing with 14 years ago," she told Cyclingnews after the race.

Today's bunch sprint win, again proved Van Gilder's diversity as a rider. "It feels good to win each day in a different way," she said, "especially after a tough race in Richmond on Thursday." It also gives her more confidence for Philly next week and for the rest of the year. "My ultimate goal is to make the Worlds team," she explained. "I'm hoping that I can perform well enough that the US National Team feels I have met the criteria. Quark have provided me with the opportunity this year to do that."