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Published: 04 May 2014 04 May 2014

Final jersey winners at the 28th Annual Silver City's Tour of the Gila presented by SRAM.Photo: Mitch Clinton

Pinos Altos, NM (May 4, 2014) The 28th edition of the Tour of the Gila powered by SRAM proved to be Mara Abbott’s from the start. The UnitedHealthcare rider was unstoppable this week, winning the overall by 4:13 over Flavia Oliveira (FCS) and Abby Mickey (Twenty16). “This race is really special and I adore it, especially because my parents are here to see it,” Abbott said. “My parents don’t get to come to many bike races so to get to share the experience with them is really, really fun for me. This is the part of my life that they don’t see. So I’m happy to bring them along.” 

Abbott, who started the Gila Monster Road Race two minutes and 15 seconds ahead of her nearest rival, doubled her lead after she attacked at the base of Sapillo and time trialed to the stage win. UnitedHealthcare also took the overall team GC. In the early miles of the race, Colavita’s Olivia Dillon attacked and quickly gained 30 seconds on the field, despite strong crosswinds. Her attack fueled a counterattack of eight riders that pulled out a one minute 30 lead on the pack that included UHC’s Sharon Laws. As the peloton reached Sapillo, the race blew apart. Abbott attacked out of the break, bridged to Laws, and flew up the climb on her own. “It was a great day for us,” Abbott said. “We got Sharon in the break, which gave us a chance to win with her and I ended up going on the climb and got away solo.”

NRC Women Results

Top 3 on Stage 4 - Downtown Silver City Criterium

Mara Abbott (UnitedHealthcare)Flavia Oliveira (FCS|Zngine)Abagail Mickey (TWENTY16)

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)

Full Results: 

http://www.tourofthegila.com/mara-abbott-seals-fourth-overall-win-tour-gila/