Mandy racks up the NRC points, Riina takes a sweltering win in Fayetteville

Mandy Lozano returned to her homeland of Oregon to participate in the Cascade Classic Stage Race.  Little did she know it would be Mandy vs. T-mobile!  Stage one was a very challenging road race with an uphill finish, and the ever tough and tenacious Mandy took 7th from the chase group, behind the T-mobile dominated break of four. 

The next day was the time trial, and because the start times were determined by GC position, Mandy set off between former world TT champion Mari Holden and strong-woman Kori Seehafer, her Bianchi road frame with clip-on aero bars and Sockguy shoe covers as her only special equipment (aside from her hot skinsuit!) in sharp contrast to the full aero setups of these top professionals.  Still, Mandy held her own and finished 22nd, slipping to 14th in the GC.

Later in the day was a criterium, and Mandy was riding well in the top ten when she felt her back wheel start to fishtail on every turn - the dreaded sign of a slow leak or a flat.  When she pulled into the pits, her tire wasn't flat after all, and the resulting time loss slid her down in the overall to 20th. 

Determined to fight back from this misfortune, Mandy rode hard in the next day's circuit race, trying to bridge to the break containing four (!) T-mobile riders in a break of eight only to look back to see the rest of the T-mobile team on her wheel.  Mandy stayed in the select chase group as the rest of the race splintered apart, finishing  17th and moving up two rungs on the GC ladder to 18th.

In the final criterium, it was again T-mobile dominating the race with a three-up T-mobile team time trial breakaway and then sweeping the top two field sprint placings, and Mandy finished in the pack, keeping her 18th overall.

In Fayetteville, NC, Riina Tehver won the inaugural Cross Creek Cycling Road Race in sweltering near-100 degree temperatures in a race of attrition - she proved that despite her Estonian heritage, she can withstand the southern heat!

Up at Superweek, Daniele took 8th in the opening criterium, suffering through the 65k long criterium without getting dizzy and falling over from going around in circles for almost two hours.  Sara LeGrand, in her first race in the BMW-Bianchi colors took a prime and 16th place.  We'll be looking for more results from these ladies as the Superweek marathon continues!

Read all about Cara's Donut (doughnut?) adventures in the Tour de Donut in St. Louis here!

Happy Birthday this month:
Riina - July 14th
Jessica - July 17th
Cara - July 25th
Mandy - July 30th