Vanderkitten-Focus young kiwi speedster picked up all the cash priems and the Tissot Sprint award on her way to a fine 2nd place finish at tonights BTIG Glencoe GP in Illinois.

Cyclingnews report here:

Difficult course ultimately neutralises escape attempts as field settles for bunch dash

Emma Mackie (Tibco-To the Top) won the bunch sprint at the BTIG Women’s Glencoe Grand Prix on Saturday outside of Chicago, Illinois. She out-paced Emily Collins (Vanderkitten-Focus) who took second and her own teammate Jo Kiesanowski in third.

“It was nice to have the sprint today because I’m usually the lead-out but I think I have a good sprint,” Mackie explained to Cyclingnews. “I went down the right side and came around Jo, down the finishing straight. I knew that Emily was coming down the left side. It was a good race, aggressive and it was great to get the win.”

The Pro-Cat 1-2-3 women’s field contested a 70-minute criterium for a prize purse of $3000USD. The course was some-what of a dumb-bell shaped that included 10-corners and one challenging ascent.

“The course was quite technical and it was a fairly long lap,” Mackie said. “It was technical on the back side with sharp corners that went right into a climb on the course. The climb wasn’t huge but it hurt going over it so many times.”

“There was some good competition with our team, we had three riders, and Vanderkitten who had Emily Collins and we knew to watch her in the sprint,” Mackie said. “We wanted to be aggressive in the second half and let Jo go for the sprint.”

The race was aggressive; however, most teams and individual riders seemed content to keep the field together for a bunch sprint. Jasmin Hurikino (Vanderkitten-Focus) led the field through the final corner with Kiesanowski and Mackie in tow, followed by her teammate Emily Collins. Kiesanowski got the jump on the field and Mackie sprinted passed her on the way to the finish line.

“I was fighting the whole last lap on Jo’s wheel to not let anyone else get on it because that was our plan,” Mackie said. “Emily must have been on my wheel. I started my sprint down the right side and Emily on the left – it worked out well.”

Results

Brief Results

#	Rider Name (Country) Team	Result
1	Emma Mackie (Tibco-To the Top)
2	Emily Collins (Vanderkitten-Focus)
3	Jo Kiesanowski (Tibco-To the Top)

 

19 year Old Vanderkitten-Focus rider Maura Kinsella proved herself as one of the best of the new generation of female athletes in the USA with todays 5th place at the USA Cycling National Championships in Augusta, Georgia.
Naturally, the feisty young Missourian Biology Student was unhappy with her performance in the sweltering temperatures. Maura has medalled in this event in previous editions, despite being one of the youngest riders in the event overall against athletes who are already on professional squads. However her aim for 2011 was to aim for a podium place and although this did not happen today, the crit and road race await our shining gem from St Louis, MO!!

Race report by TourofAmericasDairyland.com

Travelling up Highway 57 to Greenbush for Stage 5 of the Tour of America’s Dairyland presented by Wisconsin Marketing Board, you encountered dairy farm after dairy farm, many worn from generations of toil and productivity. ToAD promotes the genuine validity of chocolate milk as a recovery drink but witnessing the true root of the product in the Wisconsin Dairy Farm Families living and work spaces was a humbling bonus this morning, among hazy skies. Amateur and Pro Cycling tours alike have seen their most unfortunate demise among sponsor abandonment over the years, and we at Tour of America’s Dairyland are grateful to the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board for their intense support of the sport of cycling.
Stage 5 – Greenbush

Laura Van Gilder and her Team Mushroom teammates are on track to pay extra baggage on their way out of town with all the primes and cow print jerseys they’ve acquired…and fans are loving every splotch of it. For much of the day’s Road Race in Greenbush, the field was sitting together until one rider, Van Gilder, launched off the front, leaving the field in a frantic chase in the final stretch. Van Gilder deservedly took home another win with ease along with another photo opp on the top podium spot in the Becker Law Pink and White Overall Jersey. Cari Higgins (Peanut Butter & Company) and Starla Teddergreen (Vanderkitten-Focus) rounded out the podium, with Teddergreen climbing back in the coveted Oarsman Capital Amateur Cat 2 Leaders Jersey, previously worn by Anne Grabowski (Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder).

After a lengthy season working for her Vanderkitten Focus teammates, Vanessa Drigo scored a fantastic result at the Tour of Americas Dairyland stage 2 Criterium.

In a fast and furious race that saw teammate Starla Teddergreen crash spectacularly and flip through the air- before rejoining the race a lap later, Vanessa took full advantage of the Courtney van Dizzle and Teddergreen leadout to secure 2nd behind the winningest active rider in Professional Cycling.

Vanessa says “It was a very fast race and i am so happy i had my Vanderkitten-Focus teammates to do the hard work of bringing back dangerous breaks. I knew it would be a good day when i was  away with Van Gilder and Cari (Peanut Butter &Co) and one of the New Zealand Metro VW girls, and although i was gassed when it came back i found Van Gilders wheel and it was a strong sprint. I am looking forward to the next 9 days of racing!!”

Vanderkitten-Focus currently sits in second in the teams classement also!

Tour of America’s Dairyland is an 11 day stage race sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Board that showcases some of the finest regions in Wisconsin in the USA’s Mid West. Further details can be seen at www.tourofamericasdairyland.com

Vanderkitten-Focus had a fantastic result against the worlds top women cyclists at yesterday’s Stage 3 Nature Valley GP Cannon Falls Road race. In a race heavily controlled by Olympic Gold Medallist Kristin Armstrongs Peanut butter &Co TWENTY 12 squad, Vanderkitten-Focus in an aggressive manner to try and separate from the peloton. Midway through the race, 20 year old Maura Kinsella featured in a move with Amber Rais (Diadora Pasta Zara) and Carmen Small (TIBCO), but this was brought back.

The race reached a high paced crescendo in the last 15kms with a 1km dirt section as an entrance to the 5 lap finishing circuits. Beth newell suffered an unitmely puncture and crashed, and then a mile later crashed againat high speed because of equipment damage. She managed to finish the stage but lost her 2nd place in best Amateur rider Competition.

 

On the finish circuits Collins took advantage of her criterium skills to manouvre into great position for the sprint, and in the finale it was World Champion Bronzini, HTC’s Chloe Hoskins, Theresa Cliff Ryan (Colavita), Shelley Olds (Diadora Pasta Zara) and the speedy 20 year old Kiwi Collins in 5th.

Todays stage is the Minneapolis uptown Criterium, VK fans can watch live on www.velonews.com !!

 

 

Swiss Miss Vanessa Drigo continued Vanderkitten-Focus success at the opening stage of Tour of America’s Dairyland in Wisconsin. Racing with teammates Starla Teddergreen and Courtney Van Dizzle, Vanessa negotiated a tight finale to overcome bigger teams and score a great 5th place. Vanderkitten-Focus currently sits 2nd in teams classement!!!

Beth Newell and Emily Collins led the VK charge on day 1 of the Nature Valley GP in Minnesota. In argualbly one of the best fields assembled in the USA in recent years, Beth managed 22nd place behind Olympic Gold Medallist Kristin Armstong in the wet and slippery morning 6.1 mile TT, before Emily Collins placed 6th in the afternoon Downtown Criterium in St Paul.
Fans and competitors agree that the crit was raced at one of the fastest paces of the season, despite the slippery and dangerous road surfaces that saw several riders crash throughout the 60minute race. Jazzy Hurikino was active early, covering attacks by current World Champion Giorgia Bronzini and Shelley Olds before a massive 20 rider crash halfway through the race disrupted momentum.
Soon after a 6 rider break with representatives from TIBCO, Colavita, Peanut butter & Co, Twenty 12, HTC and Missing Link dashed off the front. Although they had Lauren Tomayo in the break, Peanut Butter was not satisfied with the composition and the possibility of time being taken out of Kristin Armstrongs lead, and mounted a full scale chase over ten laps.
With 5 to go Beth Newell and Emily Collins had asserted their positions in the front of the main peloton and Emily was handily dropped off into the final km amongst the worlds best sprinters.
In the finale it was World Champion Bronzini taking the win, followed by Chloe hoskins (HTC) and Shelley Olds, with tiny Emily Collins managing a spirited sixth.
Overnight the kitties rested and relaxed and are now prepping for tonights 66mile Cannon Falls Road Race.

Vanderkitten- Focus rocked Oklahoma at the recent Tulsa Tough, racing three days of intense criteriums against some of the fastest women in the world.
We will never forget our 2011 Tulsa Tough experience- the fans came out in force to support the kitties, and our special hosts Jason and Jake made the 3 day omnium an event to cherish. Here is a pic of the VK Focus gals Jenn X, Jazzy, Starla, Vanessa and Emily after the final stage at Cry Baby Hill, taken by www.jasonperryphoto.com

Photo credits © Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com
Vanderkitten Focus rode a classy race in a speedy and hard fought edition of the UCI 1.1 Liberty Classic in Philadelphia. Over 50000 spectators lined the course including the brutal 17% Manayunk Wall to cheer on some of the best female athletes in the world.
Vanderkitten-Focus was represented by Jazzy Hurikino, Emily Collins, Starla Teddergreen and Vanessa Drigo. Nicky Waansgard, one of the most experienced athletes in the US Women’s peloton, was brought on to mentor and guide the Kittens in what is an epic annual event.
On lap 1 Jazzy Hurikino was top 15 leading into the Manayunk wall when a crash took her out of the race. With servicing almost impossible on the narrow, steep street Jazzy was forced to wait a minute for a wheel change, and her race was over.
The other 4 riders managed to be involved in decisive sectors of the race, with Starla and Vanessa constantly using their positioning skills to assist Emily and Vanessa stay near the leaders of HTC, Diadora, Colavita, TIBCO and Juvederm throughout the race.
Lex Albrecht from Juvederm was certainly the most active rider in the race, soloing off the front by over a minute at one stage and winning the Queen of the Mountain title.
On lap 3 Starla had a front puncture and had to chase for nearly a lap, but regained contact through her feisty determination through the crowded start finish area.
With a lap to go and Albrecht caught it was anyones race and Vanderkitten Focus still had four riders in strong position through leading into the wall. Final time up the climb kaboom! The heads of state made a bid for freedom and Cheatley (Colavita), Neben and Stevens (HTC) rocketed off the front. Chaos ensued in the peloton, with Starla and Vanessa losing contact but Emily and Nicky cresting in the front selection. Alas on the fall from the wall, Nicky was stuck behind a dramatic high speed crash and despite her hot pursuit never regained contact with the front.
Coming to the line Emily Collins from New Zealand was the last remaining VK in the front group and she was bumped around alot by the sprinters teams. Fighting for position made it impossible for her to retain strength for her nifty sprint, and in the end she still finished a solid 16th. World Champion Georgia Bronzini (Colavita) took a stunning win from Shelley Olds and Jen Purcell (Danbury Audi).
All in all a great event and experience for the Vanderkitten-Focus gals. Being able to mix it up with the best riders in the world in front of super VK fans, and with the onsite support of JLVelo.com and KENDA Tires in the expo.

Jazzy, Emily and Starla are now roadtripping halfway across the USA to Tulsa, Oklahoma where they will meet up with Anna Lang, Vanessa Drigo and Jenn X for Tulsa Tough June 10-12

The biggest One Day Race of the year, UCI 1.1 Liberty Classic is only a few hours away. Tonight our riders hit the streets of Philly, VK style- one group of gals, all laughs and smiles ahead of their biggest test of the year.
In less than 12 hours one of the best Professional riders in the world will be crowned Liberty Classic champion. HTC, Diadora, Colavita, Juvederm and TIBCO all have their A squads at the race.
VK did a lap of the course today including a couple ascents of the famed 17% Manayunk wall. Lets see how they go!!!

Vanderkitten-Focus is about to embark on its most daring Summer Tour yet- with 6 races in 6 different states in June over 21 days of racing! On June 5 the team will race the biggest one day race for Women in North America, the TD Bank Liberty Challenge UCI 1.1 in Philadelphia. Following on from this, the Tulsa Tough in Oklahoma features fast packed Crit racing and a $31000 prizepurse for women. From there, the team will split into two, with stage racers fronting up at the Nature Valley GP in Minnesota, and the critters hitting Tour of Americas Dairyland in Wisconsin (11 days of racing!!). Following this, the USA Cycling National Road Championships will be held in Virginia, with Maura Kinsella looking to medal in te Under 23 Time Trial.
We couldnt do it without the support of Vanderkittens everywhere- supporter tees are available at Vanderkitten.com and hopefully we will see you on tour!!!!

Young Kiwi Emily Collins, in her first race back since recovering from a fractured wrist, led a resurgent Vanderkitten-Focus to 3rd place at yesterday’s Easton Bell Giro Scotts Valley GP.
The race was aggressive and fast from the outset, with Primal/Map My Ride and TIBCO launching several attacks that were patrolled by Jazzy hurikino, Jenn Reither and Vanessa Drigo.
Maura Kinsella was super throughout the race, countering several moves with strong attacks of her own, and drawing out the best riders in the peloton in order to keep Starla Teddergreen fresh for the sprint.
Collins, who only jumped on her road bike on thursday after training on her tt bike since the final Sea otter Stage incident, managed to win a $100 priem with 10 laps to go. In the finale, as Starla was boxed against the barriers, Collins managed to sneak down the right hand side and sprint to 3rd behind Nicky Waansgard and Megan Guarnier. Starla and Vanessa both managed top ten finishes also!
A great day for Vanderkitten-Focus in front of our sponsors JLVelo, Easton, Blackburn and Giro who were all present at the race supporting Women’s Cycling!

Vanderkitten Focus will race a classic NorCal double header this weekend, with Jazzy Hurikino returning to defend her title at the Mikes Bikes Cats Hill and Classic and Jenn Reither racing her hometown event the Giro Bell Easton Scotts Valley GP.
Coming off a strong showing at last weekends PittCrit, the Vanderkitten-Focus riders are racing for $4000 over the course of the weekend against top squads from TIBCO, Peanut Butter Twenty12, Metromint, Red Racing and Webcor SportVelo.

STOP PRESS: Current U23 New Zealand National Champion Emily Collins has today been cleared to race beginning at the Easton Bell Giro Scotts Valley GP on Sunday. Emily, who fractured her scaphoid in a sprint crash on the final day of Sea Otter Classic, today received the go-ahead from doctors and Vanderkitten-Focus Director Jono Coulter to re-enter the US Peloton at Scotts Valley.

Vanderkitten-Focus rode an aggressive and calculating 75 minute race at the  inaugural Pittsburg Twilight Criterium, placing 4 riders in the top 20 of the $5000 prizepurse.

Racing was dominated by Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY12 riders Olivia Dillon and Coryn Rivera, who finished 1-2, but Vanderkitten-Focus Team Captain Jenn X was able to rally the troops to ensure VK was in contention until the furious final sprint. Vanessa Drigo, Maura Kinsella, Starla Teddergreen and JennX worked tirelessly at the front of the pelotonas Webcor, Peanut Butter, Metromint and Touchstone launched dangerous moves deep into the critical part of the technical, windswept race.

In the final, Jazzy Hurikino showed her versatility as a roleur and finsihed 6th in the kick, with Starla T in 12th. Jeff Namba has a great flickr gallery here.

Next on the agenda is the Cats Hill Classic May 14 and Scotts Valley GP on May 15.

Bicycling Magazine is featuring a 2 page ad with Vanderkitten-Focus riders Jazzy and Emily aboard their Focus Izalco Team bikes, riding with jelly Belly p/b Kenda Professional Bernard Van Ulden.

Dont mean to turn the screws on poor Bernie, but we really think that Jazzy is putting the hurt on him in this pic, with feisty Emily about to kitty pounce!!

Thanks to Jules from Focus for putting this together, and Bernie for being such a great sport.

Pixie sprinter Starla Teddergreen showed a fine return to form this past weekend, with a 4th and 3rd place in the Menlo Park GP and Dumbarton Easter Classic. Her excellent finishes, made possible by strong assistance from her Vanderkitten-Focus Teammates Jazzy Hurikino, Vanessa Drigo and Maura Kinsella, gave Starla the third place overall in the two day Dumbarton Cup Omnium. Jazzy also managed a 4th place at Menlo Park GP, and Vanessa was 6th at Dumbarton and 8th at Menlo.

Vanderkitten-Focus had a breakout Sea Otter Classic, bringing their own brand of exciting racing and mixing it with fan and supporter duties over the course of the 4 days of racing and events at Laguna Seca Circuit in Monterey, California.
The final day of racing saw Emily Collins poised to move into a top three position overall and with a positive plan in place, Vanderkitten-Focus animated the race early.
Starla Teddergreen drove the pace on the opening laps to keep Emily safely tucked out of the wind and prevent the early breaks from establishing.

At the first GC Bonus sprint, Vanessa Drigo put the young Kiwi speedster into a prime position, and Collins was able to take full advantage of her leadout.
At the second QOM sprint a dangerous move that included Kristin Armstrong, Flavia Oliviera, Kristina Seley and 4 other GC contendors made a break. Vanderkitten-Focus was caught out by the split and a full lap chase by Jazzy Hurikino ensured that the defecit was brought back as they made the 8th of 18 ascents up to the top of the Laguna Seca Circuit. Jazzys effort was key as on this lap the field seperated for good, with 12 of the best riders in the USA forging ahead with Emily Collins sitting comfortably latched onto Armstrongs wheel.

Over the course of the final 45 minutes of racing, as riders began to show signs of fatigue, Emily was beginning to look fresh and ready to unleash her sprint. In the final lap Peggy LeGrande made a strong attack but Armstrong covered the move and into the run into the line Armstrong and Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO) lined up head to head leading out Riviera and Schneider, with Collins tucked in 4th wheel in the sweet spot.
Alas as the riders shuffled and bumped in the crosswind and stepped out to begin the sprint, Collins and riviera collided and both riders were sent sprawling to the bitumen. Jade Wilcoxson (Landshark) won the sprint from Schneider and Riviera (Fenix), whilst Collins was able to re-mount her Focus Izalco and cross the line bleeding from the elbow and hip.
She was taken immediately to Medical by Team Captain Jenn X and Director Jono Coulter, and bandaged and splinted for the Overall Classification Podium Presentation.

Sea Otter is one of the best races in North America for athletes to interact with fans, supporters and sponsors, and although the girls did a great job over the 4 days of racing, their biggest presence was mingling with Vanderkittens everywhere in the Sea Otter Expo. Clothing Manufacturer JL Velo was gracious in hosting the riders in their booth, whist they and Co-Sponsor FOCUS took the gals out to two memorable dinners where laughs aplenty were had.

The riders also had a great time at Nuun, KENDA, Easton, GIRO, Chamois Butt’r, Defeet and plenty of sneaky sticker placement by the gals meant Ophelia the scraggly tooth kitten was seen all over Sea Otter, from guide signs to lampposts to Pro men riders backsides!!

Speedy Kiwi Emily Collins scored a fine second place to Olympic Gold Medallist Kristin Armstrong in  the hilltop finish that marked the end of a challenging Sea Otter Road Race.

Today’s Stage is an undulating 7.8 Mile tt on one lap of yesterdays multilap course, the Vanderkitten-Focus riders will be aboard their FOCUS Calebro TT rigs for the first race day of the year. Emily hopes to be able to consolidate her 2nd place GC position, and Jazzy, Vanessa and Starla are out to show their speedy skillz kitty style!!

Vanderkitten-Focus will have a strong presence at next weeks Sea Otter Classic in Monterey (April 14-17), with Emily Collins, Jazzy Hurikino and Vanessa Drigo set to ride. Our little Pixie sprinter, Starla Teddergreen is returning from injury and we cant wait for her to show her crafty kitty moves in the criterium and the final day circuit race around Laguna Seca Raceway.

Sea Otter is a great opportunity for the VK-focus team to connect with fans and sponsors. We will have signings and meet and greets each day across our main sponsor booths including JL Velo, FOCUS, Chamois Butt’r, nuun, Easton, Giro and Blackburn.

Most importantly, everyone can come check out the latest 2011 www.vanderkitten.com range in the JL Velo booth- we want Vanderkittens everywhere to look sleek and stylish and those that get to Sea Otter Classic have an opportunity to get decked out in the hottest apparel in Women’s Cycling!! Kitty Meow!

 

Vanderkitten Focus had a mixed day at Redlands Bicycle Classic Criterium today, placing three riders in the top 20 on the stage, whilst highest placed on GC Jen Weinbrecht was crashed out and taken to hospital for suregery on a broken elbow.Bike racing is such a hard sport, with phenomenal demands placed upon the physical capacities of athletes, but at no time is it ever easy to deal with broken bones on top athletes.

VK- Focus riders have visited Jen W at Loma Linda Emergency this evening- the gal has amazing strength and will be back with the kitties in no time. Tonorrow- Sunset Loop @ Redlands, one of the toughest stages of the year…

Todays Redlands Bicycle Classic got off to a warm and sunny start with the prologue won by Amber Neben (HTC) with her teammate Evie Stevens in Second. Vanderkitten FOCUS fringed on the top 25- with much bigger goals targeted for later in the week.
The Vanderkitten team has a special presence this year, with new kits, new designs and phenomenal support from FOCUS Bikes USA, The plan for tomorrows Beaumont stage is to be in the final selection over the final QOM to give the riders a  shot at the stage.

Young Kiwi sensation Emily Collins ended the San Dimas Stage Race just 9 seconds off the coveted white jersey of Best young Rider, won by Canada’s Lex Albrecht.
Entering the final day criterium, Emily and Jazzy Hurikino fleshed out several scenarios to try and claw back the one second defecit to Aussie Bec Werner (Webcor Sportvelo) and Albrecht, however with HTC and Peanut Butter TWENTY12 dominating the hotspot sprints, it proved too difficult to gain those precious seconds.
Still, a great result for the young Collins, and with a complete team at this weeks NRC season opener, The Redlands Bicycle Classic, Vanderkitten-FOCUS is looking to improve on their recent successes and forge themselves at the top of the peloton.

Vanderkitten-Focus riders Jasmin Hurikino and Emily Collins have joined Vanderkitten VIP rider in SoCal for a weekend of racing at the San Dimas Stage Race- the final dress rehearsal before the NRC season starts in earnest at Redlands Classic next week.
There is minimal pressure for the riders at this race- up against full squads from HTC High Road, Peanut Butter TWENTY12, Colavita and TIBCO- rather, it is an opportunity to dial in their FOCUS Izalco bikes and finetune their preparation. In the case of Jazzy (from Australia) and Emily (from New Zealand), it is about watching which riders have the best form coming into the USA season.
Not that the cheeky Vanderkittens wont be able to play their own cards in the race-Emily is fresh off multiple top results in New Zealand whilst Jazzy has been building form and has three wins in the USA to her credit in 2010.
Bringing Kat Carr- a young but experienced rider originally from New England, will be on board to provide support and show her Vanderkitten colors at the race also. Kat impressed Vanderkitten-Focus Director Jono Coulter with several top finishes at NRC events last year, including a 5th at joe Martin Stage Race. In 2011 she is a part of the extended Vanderkitten VIP program, which includes female athletes from across the USA, Europe and Australasia.