NRC supremacy all but decided

By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor

With only one race remaining on the NRC calendar, the Priority Health Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there is still one battle yet to be decided – but only on the women's side of things, and even that is a long shot. Once again the Health Net-Maxxis team has won the men's series, entering the final race with a 154 point lead over Colavita-Sutter Home, one point more than is available this weekend. As well, Rory Sutherland (Health Net-Maxxis) has locked up the individual standings for the second year in a row, with a commanding lead over Bissell's Ted King.

The women's individual series is still a close battle with only 42 points separating leader Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home) from Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine). But with the final race listed as a 1.5 category, Van Gilder would need to win the race and have Pic finish no better than ninth. But Van Gilder can celebrate with her Cheerwine teammates as they have an insurmountable lead in the team classification over Aaron's.

Many of the top men's NRC riders and teams will be contesting the Tour of Missouri which begins Monday in Kansas City.