June 22nd: Ripon Time Trial

A short yet challenging day seemed to be a welcomed respite for riders at Stage 7 of the Tour of America's Dairyland presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Judging by how fast the racer lot cleared after the Ripon Time Trial, it was lights out early for many on Wednesday night. The day began with an arduous climb leading into the quiet yet bustling-behind-the-scenes dairy farmlands. From there, racers where treated to the sandstone bluffs of Green Lake followed by the tumultuous beauty of up and down motion, before coming face-to-face with an incredible steep ascent. Fast thinking and quick maneuvering were mandatory, before riders could ultimately relish in the twisty decline, which led to the sloping sprint of a finish.

Team Kenda pb Geargrinder's Ashley James showed the best time for the 13-mile course on Wednesday, just 'nths faster than current Becker Law pink and white leader's jersey owner, Laura Van Gilder of Mellow Mushroom. Mellow Mushroom teammate Kristin Lasasso took the third spot on the podium, and helped secure Mellow Mushroom's first place standing in the 5-hour Energy Team Competition.

Starla Teddergreen of Vanderkiiten - Focus took back the Oarsman Capital Cat 2 Amateur Green Jersey from Laura Parsons (Primal Rose Bandits), inciting a fire among Cat 2 contenders. Teddergreen, who is now tied with Kelley Hess (Team Kenda pb Geargrinder) in Overall points, but took over the day's title based on her finish at Ripon, is just six points ahead of Z-Motion's Tina Schofield, with four stages to go.

AeroCat continues to be a powerhouse, with Serghei Tvetcov clocking in for the win, just under a minute ahead of Brian Sheedy (Hampton Trails Bike Shop) and Bissell's David Williams. Tvetcov stays in the yellow and white Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Overall Leader's jersey as his Aerocat team stays atop the 5-hour Energy Pro Team Competition leaderboard.

Tour of America's Dairyland continues Thursday with the Sheboygan Harbor Centre Criterium, which leads to the Fond du Lac Gran Prix before closing this weekend with a PRIME-a-pa-moooooo-za weekend featuring a CASH COW prime giveaway totaling over $13,000 for Pro Men at the ISCorp Downer Classic on Saturday and the Madison Capital Criterium on Sunday.

View previous race reports in the archive.