Kristina Clonan (Fearless Femme Racing) just edges past Laura Jorgensen (Feed Hungry Kids Project) to take yet another prime.(Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Kristina Clonan (Fearless Femme Racing) just edges past Laura Jorgensen (Feed Hungry Kids Project) to take yet another prime.(Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
With 5 laps to go the women's field was reduced to a select few racers that would contest the finish in front of an eager crowd. (Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers) get's interviewed after her second place finish. This legendary racer is always a presence in the US races(Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Kristina Clonan (Fearless Femme Racing) celebrates her victory in front of packed downtown West Reading(Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Laura Jorgensen (Feed Hungry Kids Project) attacked several times but she was always closely marked by eventual winner Kristina Clonan (Fearless Femme Racing). (Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Julie Kuliecza (Hagens Berman / Supermint) was active the entire race, winning several primes on her way to claiming 5th place(Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
22. The women's podium of Kristina Clonan (Fearless Femme Racing), Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers), and Katie Clouse (DNA Pro Cycling). (Image credit: Reading Radsport Festival)
Kristina Clonan made a fool of announcer Brad Sohner at Saturday's West Reading Criterium. The Australian, riding for Fearless Femme Racing, didn't mean any offense, of course, but just seconds after Sohner explained to a crowd of thousands that the $500 "gambler's prime" could leave a rider with a nice pile of cash, but likely without the legs to contest the finish, Clonan took the prime. Then, a little less than two minutes later, she also won the race.
Clonan said she had to rely on her tactical savvy to remain at the front of the race in the closing laps of the fast, aggressive race through this city in Pennsylvania's Americana Region.
"There were a lot of attacks in the last eight laps, especially with the tailwind on the backstretch," said Clonan. "It was tough to stay in a good position."
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The West Reading Criterium, part of the Reading Radsport Festival, gave racing fans a chance to come out and celebrate this region's homegrown cycling culture -- local youth groups took to the streets before the women's race to show off their wheelie skills -- and cheer for elite athletes racing this second-year event in Pennsylvania's Americana Region. With a $10,000 purse on offer, the racing was fast and positive throughout, with relentless attacks that strung the field out on the long, upwind homestretch.
Clonan spent much of the day in a two-woman break with Laura Jorgensen (Feed Hungry Kids Project) and also took a mid-race prime. Once returning to the field, Clonan stayed hidden while waves of successive attacks and surges sent riders out the back on each lap.
Legendary North American crit racer Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) stayed hidden most of the day, riding defensively to stay at the front of the race. She claimed an early prime and unleashed a fearsome sprint to take second behind Clonan. Katie Clouse (DNA Pro Cycling) finished third on her 17th birthday.
