Alongside Team USA women’s track cycling teammates Jade Wilcoxson and Jennifer Valente, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team members Lauren Tamayo and Cari Higgins earned a Silver Medal for their country on Friday, January 17, in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the third and final round of the 2013-2014 UCI Track Cycling World Cup.
Racing at the Guadalajara Pan American Velodrome, the women finished in second place behind Team Canada, which raced very well and proved to be the strongest squad of the night.
For Lauren Tamayo, tonight’s event marked the first World Cup (or international track race) she has competed in since the 2012 Olympic Games where she was part of the women’s team pursuit squad that earned a Silver Medal in London.
“This is my first World Cup since the Olympics in August of 2012,” Tamayo said. “I am glad I had the mental break, it was much needed. I’m proud of our team’s second place finish tonight and this will serve as motivation toward the future.”
Cari Higgins, who was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic Team and who has earned multiple national championships including a title in the team pursuit with Tamayo, said, “This provides great momentum going into preparation for the World Championships next month in Cali, Columbia. After riding together for several years, it is a great honor to stand on the podium with my teammates and represent our country. It is also an honor to be able to stand on the podium alongside my UHC Pro Cycling teammate, Lauren Tamayo.”
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Director and General Manager, Mike Tamayo, was proud of the result Team USA produced, and commented on the effort from Higgins and Lauren Tamayo.
“Both Cari and Lauren have been working hard towards this World Cup result,” Mike Tamayo said. “It is a good feeling for all of us at UHC Pro Cycling to have two of our riders represent the United States of America at a World Cup level. As a team, we have worked with Lauren and Cari’s schedules to allow them to prepare and focus so they can help produce medal-winning results for Team USA. We are very proud of how Lauren, Cari, Jade and Jennifer raced tonight in Mexico.”
Next stop for Team USA will be the World Championships in Cali, Colombia at the end of February. Ruth Winder, who was not at this World Cup but is a member of Team UnitedHealthcare, is also one of the riders in the hunt for the World’s team selection.
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.