Huff doubles at Tulsa Tough; Higgins outsprints the women
Jelly Belly's Brad Huff wins his second consecutive race at the Tulsa Tough omnium, and Cari Higgins wins her first.
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By Caley Fretz
Brad Huff (Jelly Belly/Kenda) took his second win in as many days on Saturday at the Tulsa Tough, charging to another field sprint win ahead of teammate — and Friday’s third place — Sean Mazich, with Kyle Gritters (Williams Cycling/SC Velo) slotting into third this time.
After a number of failed attacks, a small but powerful group made a bid for freedom with just minutes remaining, edging their gap out to the largest of the race. Furious chasing by Team Hotel San Jose spoiled their party, and set the field up for the field sprint, which Huff won handily.
The 60-minute women’s race ended in a bunch sprint as well. Cari Higgins (Peanut Butter & Co.-Twenty12) snatched a tight sprint from collegiate phenom Jennifer Purcell (MSU Cycling) and Christina Smith (Veloforma).
Purcell and Huff now hold commanding leads in their respective omnium competitions, with one hard day of racing remaining. Sunday’s brutal crit course will send riders up and over a steep climb up the bank of the Arkansas River, and will likely favor a strong all-around rider who can win out of a reduced field.
