Erica Allar made her Giro di Burnaby debut a special one.
The Colavita/Fine Cooking team rider outraced B.C. Superweek leader and four-time Canadian criterium national champion Leah Kirchmann in a sprint to the finish to win in her first-ever start at the Giro on the streets of Burnaby Heights on Thursday.
With the wind direction creating few opportunities for breakaways over the 37-kilometre race, the final charge down Hastings Street was won by Allar by a wheel over Kirchmann, who had five top-2 finishes in six previous Superweek races, including wins in the criterium in Ladner, Delta road race and the night before at the Gastown Grand Prix.
At Gastown, Allar was caught behind a crash on the final lap and taken out of contention.
“After last night, I was super motivated,” said Allar, who was part of a three-rider Colavita/Fine Cooking team that came up to support Superweek’s move to provide equal prize money for the women’s race.
“We wanted to support the event,” Allar added. “We really wanted to represent our team and the sponsors, because we want the sponsors to know we appreciate their support.”
The 28-year-old American rider was the California calendar criterium champion last year and Allar and her team are currently leading the series again this season.
Laura Gilder, the 2012 Giro winner, picked up her second Superweek podium finish, placing third in Burnaby.
