International Cycling Classic: Wangsgard secures three-peat, Feng holds yellow

Nichole Wangsgard proved she's perfectly capable of working and playing well with others, scoring her third straight victory in the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic with the help of her Primal Racing/MapMyRide teammates.

In 2010, the college teacher from Cedar City, Utah, raced solo to defend her Superweek crown. This year, she had friends and helpers, including Tiffany Pezullo, who wrapped up the women's portion of the series with a victory in the Evanston Gran Prix.

Wangsgard was fifth in the Sunday night criterium, well-placed to maintain her points lead over Hsia Mei-Yu, (Action Cycling Team) and Wan Yu Jamie Wong (Team Hong Kong).

The strong performance by the Asian teams has been the big story of the 43rd annual Superweek series.

Despite struggling in the heat and humidity in Evanston, Feng Chun-Kai (Action Cycling Team) held onto the yellow jersey he's worn for most of the past 10 days. An Olympian on the track, Feng has been superb in the sprints.

"What he's showing me is pure versatility," said Eddy Van Guyse, the classic's venerable announcer. "To be able to hold onto a red jersey, he's gotta spring every day, and then you have to make sure you go with the break-aways and defend yellow."

The series continues Monday and Tuesday in Whitnall Park: a road race on Monday and criterium on Tuesday.

Feng will be challenged there and through the rest of the week by a European contingent that has added firepower.

Tour de France veterans Hans Dekkers and Ricardo Van der Velde have joined the series, and Swiss rider Laurent Beuret remains within striking distance of Feng.

"The history being made in the 43rd Superweek is the Asian domination, thus far, but now the Euros are coming on strong," Van Guyse said.

The teams from Hong Kong and Taiwan have numbers on their side, however.

"They have some big races coming up in Asia, and they know there's no better preparation than Superweek," Van Guyse said.

Check out the schedule and standings here.

Photographer John Wilke has been capturing some of the Superweek action, and produced this video recap of the Great Downer Ave. Bike Race on Saturday night.