HTC-Columbia women took first and third place and the Merced Downtown criterium on Saturday. Ina Yoko-Teutenberg won the bunch sprint for the second year running from American Shelley Evans and HTC-Columbia’s neo-pro Chloe Hosking.

“It was nice to be able to pull on the sprint today,” said Teutenberg. “It’s always hard to judge your form before the first race of the season and I’m lacking top-end speed right now so I was a little nervous going into it.

“The girls raced really well to control the race. Kim, Chloe and Evelyn were in every break and did the perfect lead out over the last few laps. It’s also nice that Chloe was able to get on the podium after leading me out.”

After a serious crash with three laps remaining, the race was neutralized for 15 minutes. When the officials restarted the race, they increased the lap count to six. HTC-Columbia controlled the finish.

On the last lap Anderson was setting the pace with Teutenberg on her wheel. Teutenberg let a gap open up forcing other teams to chase. Anderson was caught just before the last corner and Hosking set Teutenberg up for the sprint.

For 19 year old Hosking “it was a good introduction to US racing. I was happy to be able to help Ina in the lead-out and hold on for third place.”

Team Director Rene Wenzel was happy with the team’s second win in two days. “It was a pleasure to see the girls in action today. They all did their job perfectly and when it finishes with a win and a third place, one can only be happy.”

Tomorrow the women line up for the Foothills Road Race.