Banff Stage Race - Stage 2: Criterium

The Giant gals went into the crit with their star TTer 'Downtown' Laura Brown in 4th place in the GC, with Jessica 'Hannibal' Hannah within striking distance of 5th place GC, 4 seconds behind Total Restoration's Sarah Stewart.

The team was pumped for a fast crit, and fast it was! With World-Class talents Julie Beveridge (Aaron's Pro Cycling Team) and Tara Whitten (Velocity Cycling Club) on the start line, it was blistering with attack after attack, until the textbook post-prime attack saw Jess Hannah off the front with Sarah Stewart and Heather Kay (ERTC).

Team Giant was sitting pretty while Beveridge and Whitten pulled back the break with about 10 minutes remaining in the race. Another flurry of attacks ensued, notable mention to our guest rider Marie-Claude Gagnon on the attack, as well as Jess Hannah countering her own move (and she claimed to have bad legs).

Finally with 2 laps to go, Jillian Moody (Total Restoration) launched a gutsy move, and I (Lisa Howard) saw an opportunity. I jumped, but only finally caught her with a 1/2 lap remaining. I launched the sprint only to be overtaken by Whitten, who had slipped from the pack. Laura Brown had a wicked sprint and brought it in for 3rd place, followed by M.C. Gagnon in 4th.

A pretty successful day for the Giant Team!