A different Miller claims US title

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Meredith Miller (TIBCO) out smarted a breakaway of five riders to claim her maiden United States of America Road Championship title after 11 years of racing. Miller made her winning move with two kilometres remaining, holding off chasers Chrissy Ruiter (Value Act Capital) and Kristin LaSasso, who took second and third respectively.

Amy Dombroski (Webcor-Builders) finished fourth, claiming the Under 23 title. Kori Seehaffer (Team Type 1), who initiated the break, finished fifth.

“I don’t know what to say, I have never been a national champion before,” said Miller, who is best-known for her selfless work as a domestique. “I was in the break and once it was clear that it was going to stay, I was thinking, ‘Ok, Meredith, you’re not normally in this position so don’t screw it up’.”

Miller shares a team and surname with previous champion Brooke Miller, but the riders are not related. TIBCO entered five riders prepared to defend the national title.

“We had so many other cards to play,” said Miller. “We are all about team work and laying it down for each other. It’s been amazing having such strong team-mates and having support and encouragement from everyone. I’m confident that any one of us could have won.”

Several kilometres before the successful break, Miller put in one hard effort over the gradual feed zone climb to shed Jen McRae (Team Type 1), the fastest and most dangerous to win should they arrive to the line together.

“I was watching Chrissy to attack on the steep climb,” Miller said. “We went over it together. I jumped over the top just to see if we could drop Kori because she’d be the next fastest at the finish, but she made it back on. Lasasso was eager to do most of the work. I attacked over the last little roller and got the gap.”

Miller had some wiggle room to play her cards and sit on due to a chase group of three that followed 40-seconds behind the leaders. They included her team-mate Katharine Carroll, former champion Mara Abbott (Columbia-HighRoad) and Evelyn Stevens (CRCA).

Elite, U23 jerseys change hands after a tough race

Some 120 combined Elite and U23 women lined up early enough to appreciate the mid-60F weather temperatures, much cooler than the men’s U23 race held the previous day where temperatures reached above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The race, that would see riders tackle four laps of the 27 kilometre circuit, kicked off with an early move that included Liza Rochetto (Sugar CRM), Anna Milkowski, Alison Starnes (TIBCO), Jacquelyn Crowell (Team Type 1) and Martina Patella (Value Act Capital). The move was short lived and it was not long before a new one was up the road.

Amber Rais (TIBCO) attack half way through the first lap and gained a 40 seconds advantage heading into the start of the second lap. Rais, who placed second overall in last week’s Cascade Cycling Classic, continued to push on the pedals furthering her lead to a maximum of 1:30 minutes.

Several attacks animated the front of the field before Value Act Capital took matters into its hands and organised a chase. Rais’ gap dropped down to one minute and held steady for the duration of the second lap.

Value Act Capital received help from Team Type 1 in the chase on lap three. The two teams were committed to bringing Rais back before the fourth and final lap. However when Rais was in sight Value Act Capital reverted to plan B - attack mode. It sent Farina and then Ruiter to counter one another. The bridge attempts were not successful but they did serve to reduce Rais’ margin to a mere 20 seconds.

“When we had Amber off the front it was perfect because the rest of TIBCO got to enjoy the ride, follow wheels, no pressure,” Miller said. “When she came back things were starting to reshuffled and Kori got off solo on the fourth lap, Amy attacked, I went with the move.”

Rais returned to the field over the circuit’s steep climb after a hard, solo effort for more than 50 kilometres. A short lull in the field and it was back in to full swing, a series of attacks resulted in a second solo break from Seehafer.

Seehafer’s advantage grew to 45 seconds with 24 kilometres remaining. Given her stellar palmares the peloton reacted quickly and small chase group formed behind her shattering the remaining peloton. A group five riders that would make it to the finish line together.

“Dombroski jumped first and I followed her,” Miller said. “Then LaSasso did most of the work to bridge up to Kori.”