Wangsgard on pace for International Cycling Classic three-peat

Nichole Wangsgard, a college teacher who spends her summers cycling, holds the overall lead through seven races in the 43rd annual Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic.

A year short of 40, Wangsgard has kept herself near the front of the pack and picked her spots wisely in the races in Illinois, Brown Deer Park and Cudahy. On Friday, she will continue to pursue a third consecutive Superweek overall title in the Brookfield/Maximized Living Criterium / presented by Bravo Cucina Italiana.

A strong contingent of riders from Hong Kong and Taiwan will be chasing Wangsgard on Friday, then again Saturday in the Great Downer Avenue Bike race sponsored by Fields Automotive Group Waukesha. The riders from Asia have been taking victories through the first week of the series remain within striking distance of Wangsgard (Primal Racing/MapMyRide).

Check out this gallery from the stop in Brown Deer Park on Wednesday, and John Wilke's shots from the South Shore Cyclery Classic on Thursday.

Founded by Otto Wenz Jr., the Superweek series has drawn top-level riders from around the world. In 2011, the Asian teams are adding the international flavor and setting the pace in the men's pro ranks.

Feng Chun-Kai (Action Cycling Team) holds a slight lead over Lauren Beuret (Team Atlas Personal) and Ho Burr (Team Hong Kong).

The pro men's criterium race starts at 5:45 p.m. on Calhoun Road just south of the Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. The .9 mile course loops north on Calhoun, east to the entry drive to the Public Safety Building and finishes back on Calhoun Rd.

Amateur racing on Downer Ave. in Milwaukee starts at 11:45 a.m. Saturday and the pro women will take the line at 4:15. The pro men are scheduled to begin chasing the $2,500 in prize money at 5:45.