Women’s Points Race: Hicks goes all-in, Ingram seals the podium

Seventeen riders, 60 laps, and nonstop chess. Anna Hicks (Boulder, Colo.; UCI CTW: Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) took control early—snagging the fifth sprint, then stacking points by winning the sixth, seventh, and tenth. She doubled down by taking two laps on the field and never looked back, claiming the national title with 66 points.

Behind, it came down to the wire for silver. Stephanie Lawrence (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Star Track) and Laurel Rathbun (Encinitas, Calif.; L39ION of Los Angeles) were tied going into the final dash; Lawrence won the last sprint to lock in second with 24 points. Our own Bethany Ingram (Columbia, S.C.; UCI CTW: Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) threw down for 6 points on the final sprint to secure bronze with 16 points. Rue Tomko (Bellevue, Wash.; Jerry Baker Juniors) earned the U23 Stars & Stripes.

"I was excited for the points race after winning the points event in the Omnium. As soon as the race started I could feel the entire field marking me, knowing I would likely try and go off the front as I had in all the previous events. Knowing they would try to stop it and/or go with me. I had to be smart as well as strong to pull off my race plan. I sent some early attacks to keep the race fast, snagging early points and then setting myself up to attack and go solo. I was able to go off the front for ~20 laps, taking points on 4 sprints and eventually lapping the field. In the final laps I was able to lap the field once again for a second +20 points. I really enjoy the excitement and tactics of the points race." - Anna Hicks

Results — Women’s Points Race

1. Anna Hicks (Boulder, Colo.; UCI CTW: Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28)
2. Stephanie Lawrence (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Star Track)
3. Bethany Ingram (Columbia, S.C.; UCI CTW: Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28)