Mercy Cycling Team – Elite Women

Race report from our riders taking part in the annual Queen City Criteriums in Springfield MO

Saturdays Race
Donning the new PINK Mercy kits, Pam, Jennifer and Michelle had a plan: get first, second and third. The course was technical and well designed and with the rain we realized that the best place to attack was on the start finish stretch since it was a hill and the longest section. For the first prime Jennifer took off; however Molly rocketed past, grabbed the money and ran. Pam followed her with Michelle racing to catch. Inching closer Molly stepped on the gas and opened the gap. Rejoining Jennifer and one other racer, the race calmed. Then Jennifer attacked speeding up the road and a few laps later Michelle jumped to join her and off they rode. Afterward Pam said she tried everything to attack Molly but she would counter and then took a risk in the last brick laid corner to take the win. Michelle and Jenn finished third and fourth. Time to wring out the new kits and get a refreshing recovery drink- Snapple!

Sundays Race

With the sun shining and our legs a little stiff from the wet race the night before we were ready to try out the plan a second time. The Queen City course was short and technically only had two corners, the first and last since the others were sweepers; plus, there was a downhill on one side and a slight uphill on the start finish stretch. So we had the same plan, attack! We didn’t want the same situation as Saturday so each time Molly closed the gap the others would shut it down and counter attack. Taking all three primes, we felt more confident for the final sprint. Molly had a few other racers who helped pull so she didn’t have to do all the work but she did 75% probably. After attacking nearly every lap we came down to the final three laps and waited. But perhaps everyone got a chance to recover except Pam on the front of the lead out. Jumping first in that last corner on the inside was the way to win and Molly beat us to it. Jen shot out from behind the group and took second followed by Michelle. Pam hung on after leading the last laps an placed fifth. Well that didn’t go according to plan; we tried to rehash what we could have done differently and decided that we did what we should have done. We’ll get another chance in a few weeks.

For the omnium Jen took third and Michelle second.

Race Reports Hinton, Jensen, Rhoades

Last weekend, Pam Hinton rode in the infamous Leadville 100 MTB Race in Leadville CO. With the entire 100 miles ABOVE 9000ft, this has always been the most difficult bicycle race in the country.

This afternoon, Pam made contact with us… she’s alive... In a field of over 1000 athletes (mostly Male as noted by Pam), she finished in a time of 11 Hours and 11 Minutes with a final placing of 484th !! What a fantastic result.

Pam commented that “this was by far the hardest bike race I’ve ever done. But, I’m going back next year—knowing the course and getting more comfortable on my mountain bike—especially the crazy descents—will make a difference“.

She also noted that lining up beside the one and only Lance Armstrong was certainly a highlight for her trip into the Rocky Mountains.

Great Ride Pam !!

Race Reports Hinton

Last weekend, Michelle Jensen and Jennifer Herrell, took part in the annual Tour of Kansas City race weekend. Both came home with excellent results. On Saturday, Michelle took 3rd in the wet and wild Cliff Drive event, with Jennifer just behind in 7th. Then, on Sunday at the Overland Park GP, Jennifer was in great form and took 5th in the super fast technical and fast event. Michelle was just behind in 10th.

Great Job Ladies!!

Race Reports

Congratulations to Mercy Elite rider, Michelle Jenson (KS), upon being selected to ride in the prestigious Nature Valley Stage Race. After a strong showing by the whole of the Mercy Elite team at the recent Tour of Winghaven, Michelle was invited to be part of the “Nature Valley Cycling Team” composite team. The event will run from Wednesday June 11th and will finish on Sunday June 15th. Event central is Minneapolis MN. Michelle will get a chance to rider with 150 of the top women cyclists in America !! Stay tuned for any updates we may receive from way up North…

Race Reports, Team News

Pam Hinton just recently got the ‘all clear’ from her doctors to return to full time competitive bike racing. And in her first big test in almost a year, Pam stormed home to a fine solo victory at the prestigious Joe Martin NRC event in Fayetteville, AR.

Stage 1 was the traditional road race with 2 ascents of the infamous ‘Wall’. At the end of the stage, Pam rode home alone and crossed the line over 5 minutes ahead of the chasing riders.

Stage 2 was the Devils Den Uphill Time Trial. Pam had to settle for 4th with a time just 18 seconds behind the stage winner Katja Heinicke from Dallas TX.

Going in to the final Stage 3 criterium, Pam has a comfortable 5:30 lead. All going well, Pam should come out as the overall winner of the 2008 Joe Martin winner.

Stay tuned for updates as we get them…

In the Women Professional Cat 1/2 event, Michelle Jeanson from Lawrence KS is representing Mercy Cycling. We are still awaiting ‘official’ results to be published, so please hold tight until the results arrive…

Race Reports Hinton, Jensen