The USA's Pro Cycling Tour has announced the final selection of elite women's teams scheduled to compete in the three race Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling. 23 teams from around the world will take part in the first ever all-Pennsylvania series, scheduled June 4-11.
This field includes teams from New Zealand, Canada, Germany and the U.S. European strength will be on display once again with German Ina Yoko Teutenberg (T-Mobile) returning to defend her title in the Liberty Classic as well as World Champion Regina Schleicher (Equipe Nürnberger), who placed a close second to Teutenberg last year. Looking to end a long drought by North American riders will be local favourite Laura Van Gilder (Team Lipton) who hails from nearby Cresco, PA. Also look for Van Gilder's teammate Kristin Armstrong, who is coming off an impressive victory at the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico.
The women will face challenging 25 mile short circuit races in the Commerce Bank Tom Bamford Lancaster Classic, Lancaster, PA on June 4 and the Commerce Bank Reading Classic, June 8 then back to the 57.6 mile Commerce Bank International Liberty Classic in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 11.
For the first time ever there will be overall prize money awarded to the top point scorers in the combined three event series for both men and women. A total of $29,000 will be up for grabs for the women during the week.
The first two races in the Commerce Bank Triple Crown will be contested on downtown criterium courses using the same start/finish line as the pro men's circuit races to be held later in the day. The cities of Lancaster and Reading will host these races, with large crowds expected.
The final race of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling will be held in downtown Philadelphia on the 14.4 mile Liberty Classic loop, including the Manayunk Wall climb on each lap. The women will be completing four laps of this challenging course for a total of 57.6 miles (93 km). It will determine the final outcome of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown, and the winner will take home the lion's share of the $29,000 in prize money.
Teams
Aaron's Cycling Team
ADG / Joe's Bike Shop
Amoroso's Racing Team
Argon / Champion Cycling Team
Bike NZ (New Zealand)
Biovail (Canada)
Cheerwine
Colavita Cooking Light
CRCA/Comedy Central-New Canaan Cyclery
East Coast Velo
Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung (German)
HPC / List
Hub Racing
Independent Fabrication
Team Advil - Chapsitck
Team Fuji / Bolt Brothers
Team Lipton
T-Mobile (USA)
TravelGirl Magazine / BMW-Bianchi
TRIA
Verducci /Breakaway Racing
Victory Brewing Cycling Team
Webcor-Platinum Cycling Team
