Joelle Numainville wins the 2nd annual Chicago Criterium with the support of teammates Catherine Walberg, Ashley James, Christy Keely and team captain, Kristin Wentworth. The victory came in part because Team Kenda was the largest presence in the pack of 35 women racers.
Fresh from winning the Gold Medal in the 99km road race at the Pan American Championships on July 24 in Tlaxcala, Mexico, Joelle Numainville boarded a plane destined for Chicago and arrived late on Saturday night to join her teammates.
The goal for the Chicago Criterium was to respond to any moves put forth by the peloton to protect Numainville and ensure no missed opportunities for a win.
The team executed to perfection winning several primes during the 50-minutes plus 2-laps criterium. In the last lap several riders shuffled, but Numainville’s only concern was to grab a good wheel despite being marked by several riders. Joelle indicated that she was confident in her ability to drill it straight into the finish and thanks her teammates for their help in making the win possible.
About Team Kenda Tire Women’s Cycling: Team Kenda Tire began in 1999 as Team Ameritech with nine riders who excelled at bicycle racing. Over the years, the team has steadily grown in size and now boasts NRC Elite and Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and West Regional Teams. The team competes in the United States focusing on the National Race Calendar and top Canadian events sanctioned by the Canadian Cycling Association. (http://www.teamkendatire.com)
