August 17, 2003 (Downer's Grove, IL) – Diet Rite's Tina Mayolo successfully defended her 2002 National Criterium Title today in Downers Grove, IL when she won the Championships for the second consecutive year. Mayolo's win was made possible by her Diet Rite Team's cohesive teamwork and clear determination to see the Georgia native capture her second title.
The 10am, 50K criterium was held on an eight corner, challenging course and got off to an on time start under beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the low 80s. The race got off to a quiet start with no attacks in the first ten laps. Things heated up about half way through after Mayolo won the $500 mid race prime. Mayolo's teammate Charm Breon escaped the field and gained up to 20 seconds before Saturn's Sarah Uhl's well timed move allowed her to shed the field and bridge the gap to Breon.
Uhl joined Breon at the top of the hill, and immediately picked up the pace, but Breon was riding to protect Mayolo and would not work. T-Mobile brought the field back together and with eleven laps to go it was clear a field sprint was inevitable.
Diet Rite kept the speed high, matched by Saturn's Megan Elliott, Jessica Phillips and Uhl, keeping Laura Van Gilder protected until the final kick. With half a lap left, Uhl was at the front, diving into the final series of corners, with Van Gilder and Mayolo hot on her rear wheel.
Coming out of the final corner it was all Mayolo. Van Gilder jumped hard to her left but could not come by for the win. Throwing her hands up in the air, Mayolo's victory salute was almost as wide as her smile.
From here most of the women's teams will take a break in preparation of the upcoming T-Mobile International presented by BMC on September 14 in San Francisco.
1. Tina Mayolo – Diet Rite2. Laura Van Gilder – Saturn