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By Ben McCarty
News staff writer
May 20, 2008
Julie Beveridge gingerly rode her bike across the finish line
with the main field at the end of Sunday’s downtown Hood River
Criterium. Not content to simply cruise the final day of the Mt.
Hood Cycling Classic and collect her winnings, she decided to
take some of Hood River’s asphalt with her as well.
“I wanted to take back a souvenir,” she said with a tired smile,
her legs and arms wrapped with gauze after taking a nasty spill
in the final few laps.
Even when she was down during the five days of racing, Beveridge
was never out.
She solidified her lead with a second place performance during
the difficult Wy’East road race on Saturday, a victory that gave
her a 13-second lead on Leah Goldstein and a 15-second advantage
over Jeannie Longo.
By the end of the Criterium, Longo moved into second place
overall with a third place showing in the stage, but it was not
enough to overcome Beveridge’s gap.
It was a display of the sport’s bright future holding off its
still brilliant past. The 49-year-old Longo pushed for the
overall lead throughout the race, but it was the 19-year-old
Beveridge, not even old enough to take a swig from the
celebratory champagne, who solidified her status as a dominant
rider in the sport by not only winning the race, but also
claiming the Best Young Rider jersey.
Beveridge gave credit to her Aaron’s Pro Cycling teammates for
holding off the rest of the field in the final day to help her
hold on to the yellow jersey.
“We just have such a strong team,” she said. “They were just
phenomenal today.”
The Aaron’s team also got to share in the spoils by winning the
women’s team championship.
Tina Pic of Team Colavita won the criterium to move into 18th
place overall.
On the men’s side Rory Sutherland of Healthnet Maxis took first
in the overall standings. Sutherland held a 30-second lead
entering the final stage and his teammates provided a wall of
protection to help him hold on to the yellow jersey.
“I didn’t even have to do anything today,” he said. “My team is
just a great group of guys.”
Andrew Pinfold of Team Symmetrics won the men’s criterium but
was not a threat to grab the overall lead entering the day.
After the win, Sutherland said he was hoping to get a little
while to enjoy Hood River.
“I took a ride around town this morning and I think that may
have been my favorite part,” he said.
He may not get that luxury with the schedule that many of the
top teams keep.
Beveridge and her Aaron’s teammates are off to Montreal next
week for the World Cycling Championships.
“Hopefully I can get some rest and then get some good training
in,” Beveridge said as she limped away from the post-race
revelry with the support of several of her teammates.
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