September 23, 2005 – Pedalmag.com caught up with 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Dede Barry, who is in Madrid to watch her husband Michael compete in the elite men’s road race this weekend. With her expertise of the women’s scene, we asked Dede for the “insider’s scoop” for this Saturday’s elite women’s road race.

“Although many are saying that the Madrid course will suit the sprinters in the elite event, women’s racing is different and it does not take as much difficulty to create a selection in the races,” Barry explains. “I think this course will suit riders like Mirjam Melchers and Susanne Ljungskog, who are complete racers with a fast sprint. It could even be a course where Ina Teutenberg will excel, as she is looking lighter this season and riding quite strong all-around as well.”

What about some of her former teammates on the American National Team or any Canadians?

“As for the North Americans, I think Kristin Armstrong could have a breakthrough ride on this type of course, as she is quite fast and powerful at the moment, and Canada’s Sue Kolmar-Palmer is likely to sneak into the top ten as well.”