Hughes takes overall win in Gila

Clara Hughes cemented her cycling return with overall victory in one of the toughest races in the U.S., the Tour of the Gila.

Hughes, riding for Pactimo Cycling Team, took the overall lead in the Stage 3 time trial on Friday, followed up with a win in Saturday’s criterium in downtown Silver City, New Mexico, and her seventh place in Sunday’s mountainous finale was more than enough for the overall win.

In the final standings, Hughes was two minutes, 52 seconds ahead of runner-up Mara Abbot of the Diadora-Zafira Pasta team.

Next up for multiple cycling and speed skating Olympic medalist Hughes is the Pan American time trial and road race championships in Medellin, Colombia, on May 6 and 8.