Photo by Rebecca Reza: NRC Women's podium after the Tyrone Time Trial-from left, hostess Elizabeth Salas of Silver City, Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco), Laura Brown (Colavita-Fine Cooking), Mara Abbott (United Healthcare) and hostess Kasha Blair, also of Silver City.

SILVER CITY, NM (May 2, 2014) Calling it one of the best results of her career, Canadian track specialist Laura Brown (Colavita) sped toward a surprise win today in the individual time trial in Tyrone ahead of Lauren Stephens (TIBCO) and Mara Abbott (UHC).

Brown, who is part of her country's national pursuit team, said she tapped into her leg speed during the downhill sections of the 16.5 mile out and back course. Her smooth pedaling style helped Brown finish with a time of 39.25, four seconds ahead of Stephens and six ahead of Abbott.

"When I crossed the line, I knew in my heart I had done well," Brown said. "I looked at my power meter time, and thought, that's pretty fast."

Brown's blistering time is a good indication she's in top form for the Tour of California Invitational on May 12.

"This was kind of a trial run," Brown said. "Every time there's a TT I want to do my best, but I never expected to win."

Brown's result comes as somewhat of a surprise with current TT national champ Carmen Small and 2008 national TT winner Allison Powers also in the running, but the two specialists were ousted from the podium when GC leader Mara Abbott proved she can time trial with the best of them too.

UnitedHealthcare Team Director Rachel Heal said Abbott has been working hard on improving her TT skills to become a more complete GC rider. And her stellar display today against the clock showed it's paid off.

"You except Mara to be impressive on the climbs, but she was also really impressive on the descents," Heal said about Abbott's TT ride. "Obviously she's a small rider and doesn't have gravity on her side, but she was really smooth and handled the bike really well."

Abbott leads the overall competition by 2 minutes 15 seconds over Flavia Oliveira (FCS) heading into tomorrow's downtown criterium. Twenty16's Abby Mickey sits in third and leads the Best Young Rider competition.

NRC Women Results

Top 3 on Stage 3 - Dan Potts Memorial Tyrone Time Trial

Laura Brown (Colavita-Fine Cooking)
Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco)
Mara Abbott (UnitedHealthcare)
Town of Silver City Leader's Jersey: Mara Abbott (UnitedHealthcare)

PNM Sprinter Leader Jersey: Carmen Small (DNA)

Freeport-McMoRan King of the Mountain Jersey: Flavia Oliveira (FCS)

Southwest Bone & Joint Institute Best Young Rider: Abagail Mickey (TWENTY16)