Walters, Van Gilder take Chris Thater Memorial

Van Gilder fighting for world’s spot

• Results

By Bryan Jew, VeloNews Senior Writer

At the Chris Thater Memorial Criterium in Binghamton, New York, on Sunday, Navigators Mark Walters and Trek Plus’s Laura Van Gilder took the wins at the National Racing Calendar event, each adding to an impressive season résumé.

Walters, the winner of the USPRO road championship in Philadelphia, was part of a nine-rider breakaway group at Chris Thater that lapped the main field as the 50-mile race wound down. With 10 laps to go, the Navigators began to set things up for Walters, delivering him to the win on the last lap. Mercury’s Mike Sayers took second, while last year’s winner, John Lieswyn (7UP-Nutra Fig), took third.

In the women’s race, Van Gilder took an impressive solo win, as she continues to make her case for a selection onto the U.S. world championship team. Van Gilder broke away with 25 miles to go in the 35-mile women’s race, with teammates Sophie St. Jacques and Anne Samplonius controlling the pack.

Behind, Lynn Gaggioli (Michela Fanini), Charmain Breon (Freddie Fu), Amy Jarvis (Rona) and Lenora Felker (Freddie Fu) gave chase but could never close the gap. Van Gilder took the win by 40 seconds, with Gaggioli beating Jarvis in the sprint for second.

Van Gilder is trying to earn selection to the U.S. team for the world’s in Zolder, Belgium, where the circuit is being touted as a sprinter’s course. Despite Van Gilder having one of her best seasons ever, however, her team manager Frans Verstraeten said it has been an uphill fight.

“With what she’s done and won this year, there shouldn’t be a doubt in anybody’s mind [that she should be selected],” said Verstraeten.

“Laura’s really looking, and deserves, to go to world’s this year,” he said. “It’s not just her sprint anymore …. She has the power to sustain a breakaway now as well.”

Van Gilder has posted impressive results all season, including first at Somerville, first at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, second at the Liberty Classic, stage wins at the International and third at criterium nationals. There are six women’s spots on the U.S. world’s team, with four of those likely to be taken by automatic qualifiers, leaving Van Gilder to fight for one of the remaining two spots.

Results

Women;
1. Laura Van Gilder, Trek Plus; 2. Lynn Gaggioli, Michela Fanini; 3. Amy Jarvis, Rona; 4. Charmain Breon, Freddie Fu; 5. Lenora Felker, Freddie Fu;
;
Men;
1. Mark Walters, Navigators; 2. Mike Sayers, Mercury; 3. John Lieswyn, 7UP-Nutra Fig; 4. Viktor Rapinski, Saturn; 5. Alexander Lavallee, Trek-Volkswagen

FILED UNDER: Race Report / Race Result / Road TAGS: Chris Thater Memorial