Lex Albrecht and Denise Ramsden shine at the Green Mountain Stage Race

With the world championships approaching, two of Canada’s top women made the trip to Vermont to show off their form at the Green Mountain Stage Race, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. Lex Albrecht and Denise Ramsden dominated the four-day event finishing first and second respectively in the overall classification. Along the way, Albrecht, who rides for Twenty16 Pro Cycling, won the first three stages, claimed top honours in the climbers’ classification and finished second in the sprint contest. Ramsden, who rides for Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, finished fifth in the Stage 1 time trial, second on Stage 3, which finished at the summit of Appalachian Gap, first in the Stage 4 criterium, where she lapped the field, second in the QOM contest and third in the competition for the sprinters’ jersey.

After such a run of success, Ramsden was smiling.“It was really fun to be back at the race for the first time since I was a junior. Lex was climbing really well. As a team, we just tried to get results where we could and try and put some pressure on her,” she commented.

As it turned out, Albrecht was indomitable. Heading into the race, she knew she was near her best. “I was hungry to race hard and for a good fight. The weekend prior to Green Mountain, I had successfully defended my road and time trial titles at the Quebec championships.  I was hoping to continue the momentum I had through the Green Mountain Stage Race, where I would be representing my team all on my own.  The Stage 1 time trial gave me confidence and some good cards to play, as it had left me leading by an entire minute.  I knew that maintaining the general classification lead would be tough, especially with teams like Optum Pro Cycling, with the former champion of New Zealand Courtney Lowe, Denise Ramsden, and Amber Pierce, a rider with a lot of European racing experience, teaming up against me. I was right; they wouldn’t give any mercy!” she noted.

Such a hard-fought contest displays both riders’ determination to shine in September. Each has made the world championships a target, but neither is sure of her place Canada’s squad. “One of my big goals this year was worlds. However, I’m not sure if that will pan out with me not being in Europe at the moment,” Ramsden commented. Albrecht is in the same boat, but still has eyes on the world championships. “The Green Mountain Stage Race was a great way to test the end-of-season fitness, and great preparation for the championship race in Spain” she noted.

Both riders will be hoping their names will be on the final roster when Cycling Canada announces its world championships team on Monday.