February 18, 2008 (Santa Rosa, California) – Brooke Miller (USA) Tibco, 31 years strong, won the inaugural Women’s Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center today as the pro 1/2 women rode into Santa Rosa for the first women’s criterium associated with the Amgen Tour of California, riding a closed circuit race that thrilled the crowds before the men entered the city.

Canada’s Jenny Trew (Vanderkitten Racing) from BC finished 9th today with team mates Leah Guloien, also from BC in 13th and Moriah Jo MacGregor in 49th.

The race doubled as the season opener for the NRC series as Laura Van Gilder (USA) Cheerwine finished second and Emilia Fahlin (Swe) High Road placed 3rd.

Brooke Miller, 31 years strong, added yet another first place to her recent string of successes – the Cherry Pie Criterium (February 10), the Cross My Heart and Hope to Die Willoughby CSX (November 10), and the USCF Criterium Championships (August 19). The Los Gatos resident thanked others for her win, “I couldn’t have done it without my team. Kimberly helped me out on the great and tough course.” Tibco’s Team Director is none other than Canada’s Linda Jackson, a former top pro and Canadian National Team member for many years.

Today’s race was the fourth here for the women, who have been here throughout the President’s Day weekend. According to Nichole Wangsgard, a professor from the University of Southern Utah (up the road from wildly beautiful national parks: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin, Zion), and Colavita team member, “It was a fast race with lots of attacks, but only one crash. We had lots of fun today. I hope we are invited to more stages!”

Results

1. Brooke Miller (Team Tibco)
2. Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine)
3. Emila Fahlin (Team High Road)
4. Shelly Olds (Proman Racing)
5. Nichole Wangsgard (Colavita Racing)
6. Jennifer Wilson (SouthBay Wheelman)
7. Virginia Perkins (PROMAN)
8. Jadine Riley (Sound Velo)
9. Jenny Trew (Vanderkitten Racing)
10. Shontell Gauthier (Colavita/Sutter Home)
11. Alison Rosenthal (Team Tibco)
12. Kori Seehafer (Colavita Racing)
13. Leah Guloien (Vanderkitten Racing)
14. Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capitol)
15. Olivia Dillon (Touchstone Climbing)
16. Yukie Nakumura (Team Kendra)
17. Jane Robertson (Metromint)
18. Jane Despas (Vanderkitten Racing)
19. Stacy Marple (Cheerwine)
20. Meredith Miller (Aaron’s Team)
21. Morgan Kapp (SouthBay Wheelman)
22. Leigh Valletti (Vanderkitten Racing)
23. Melissa Sanborn (Vanderkitten Racing)
24. Ashlee Staroba (NorCal Womens Cycling Team)
25. Kristin Drumm (Proman Racing)
26. Anna Davenport (Village Peddler)
27. Bonnie Bourque (Acqua al 2/SDBC)
28. Megan Guarnier (PROMAN)
29. Amanda Eaken (Metromint)
30. Liz Hatch (Vanderkitten)
31. Helene Drumm (Proman Racing)
32. Lara Krospsch (ValueAct Capitol)
33. Victoria Bastide (Team Tibco)
34. Kristen Sanders (Aaron’s Team)
35. Martina Patella (ValueAct Capitol)
36. Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia)
37. Janel Holcomb (Webcor)
38. Claire House (NorCal Womens Cycling Team)
39. Alison Littlefield (CONTENDER BICYCLES)
40. Hannah Banks (ValueAct Capitol)
41. Elis Bradshaw (Metromint)
42. Katie Mactier (ValueAct Capitol)
43. Laurel Green (Dolce Vita Cycling)
44. Rushlee Buchanan (Team Tibco)
45. Kim Anderson (Team High Road)
46. Mara Abbott (Team High Road)
47. Heather Sborz (Vanderkitten Racing)
48. Amanda Seigle (Code Three Women)
49. Moriah Jo MacGregor (Vanderkitten Racing)
50. Megan Elliott
51. Tracy Barhydt (NorCal Womens Cycling Team)
52. Erica Allar (Aaron’s Team)
53. Madeleine Sandig (Team High Road)
54. Kelly Benjamin (Cheerwine)
55. Amber Rais (Team Tibco)
56. Nicole Evans (ValueAct Capitol)
57. Cheryl Fuller Muller (Nouveau Velo)
58. Jennifer Reither (SouthBay Wheelman)
59. Patricia Bell (Morgan Stanley)
60. Abby Lynn Cooper (PROMAN)
61. Jennifer Van Muckey (Easton)
62. Sharon Allpress (ValueAct Capitol)
63. Anke Wichmann (Team High Road)
64. Emily Zell (Proman Racing)
65. Marni Hambleton (ValueAct Capitol)
66. Kristina Seley (Proman Racing)
67. Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine)