Teutenberg wins Central Valley Classic Criterium

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg continues her winning ways, this time in Northern California (Image credit: John Veage)

The Tower Criterium, formerly an NRC event, is part of the Central Valley's Highway 99 series. All of the top US women's teams were well represented at the race, with 7-8 riders represented from each of the High Road, Tibco and Colavita squads. Riders were using this race as a tune-up for next week's NRC's Sequoia Cycling Classic. Value Act, with Sato, Martina Patella and Hannah Banks, were happy to get someone on the podium, amidst all the high-level teams at the start. "We knew it was going to be an aggressive race; and we had to cover lots of things. We kept a close eye on Ina and Brooke," commented Patella.

High Road was aggressive from the gun and Teutenberg launched numerous attacks herself. Patella and Sato were always quick to cover her moves. But it was the final attack, halfway through the race that stuck. Joining Teutenberg in the break were Sato, Miller, Gomez and Colavita riders Iona Wynter-Parks and Mackenzie Woodring. The break had a sizeable gap on the field, with Teutenberg getting the win over Brooke Miller. And it was a tight race for third, with Sato nipping Winter-Parks at the line.