Back in the mindset of racing, Carmen Small continued her impressive season Saturday in London.
The 36-year-old professional cyclist from Durango finished eighth in the Prudential RideLondon Classique, part of the UCI Women’s World Tour. The race was contested on a 3.41-mile circuit through central London and some of the city’s great landmarks such as Big Ben and Trafalgar Squre. Riders made 12 laps through the course, and Small finished in 1 hour, 28 minutes, 14 seconds. She was one second off the time of winner Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands.
Wild made her move with 500 meters to go and held off Nina Kessler and Leah Kirch to secure the win.
“I’m really happy with my performance,” Small said in a text message to The Durango Herald. “For my first race back in Europe and considering I haven’t had the best preparation, it felt good. Hard, but good.”
Small is coming off a third-place finish last week at the five-stage Cascade Cycling Classic in Oregon. That was her first competition in more than a month after taking USA Cycling to arbitration after being left off the Olympic roster.
The national time trial champion earned 750 Euros, or $838.09, for her individual effort. Wild earned $27,936.25 for topping the 107-woman field.
Small’s Cyclance Pro Cycling Team finished tied for 16th overall with her former team, Cervélo Biglad Pro Cycling, with 205 points.
“I’m super excited to be here with my new team, Cyclance,” Small said. “They are really supportive, and I’m very motivated to move forward and look to the next goals.”
Small will stay in Europe to race the Ladies Tour of Norway Aug. 12-14.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
