Tour of Elk Grove: Kirchman and Amaran Take Overall wins

Posted by Editoress on 08/7/11http://www.canadiancyclist.com
 

Cuban-born Luis Amaran, currently a resident of New Mexico, beat out more than 100 professional cyclists to be the $15,000 overall winner of the 3-day, 3-stage men's pro race at the 6th annual Alexian Brothers "Tour of Elk Grove" held Friday-Sunday, August 5-7, in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Ill. Amaran competed as a member of the Janis/Sutter Home pro cycling team.

The overall winner of the women's 3-day, 3-stage race-which debuted at Elk Grove for the first time-was Canadian Leah Kirchmann, riding as a member of  Team Colativa (U.S.). Kirchman won both the women's Stage 2 circuit race on Saturday and the women's Stage 3 criterium race on Sunday.

The 3-stage men's pro race featured $106,500 in total prize money, the largest prize purse for a 3-day, 3-stage men's pro cycling race in North America. Overall prize money in the women's 3-stage was $15,000. 

Placing second overall in the men's 3-stage pro race was American Bobby Sweeting, a member of Kenda Pro Cycling Team presented by Geargrinder. He also place first at Saturday's Stage 2 men's road race (155K). Placing third overall was American Chad Haga, a member team Kelly Benefit Strategies.