March 26/04 2:51 am - Bessette Takes Lead at Redlands

Posted by Editor on 03/26/04
 

Redlands Classic - California

Our correspondent Leigh Hargrove (Pushbikes.ca) has just called in a report for the stage 3 of the women's race.

Lyne Bessette (Quark) has taken over the lead in the women's race at the Redlands Classic, after finishing third in a breakaway group behind Kristin Armstrong (T-Mobile) and Sue Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba-FFCC). The trio finished over 40 seconds ahead of a chase group containing race leader Genevieve Jeanson (Rona), and Bessette started the day 16 seconds behind Jeanson.

The 67.6 kilometre third stage consisted of a start loop and 4 laps of a 15 kilometre circuit. Each lap has one major climb and descent. A group of four riders broke away early in the race, with Canadians Amy Moore (Quark) and Melanie McQuaid (Ford) taking part. This group maxed out with an approximately two minute gap.

Bessette attacked on the third lap, taking Palmer-Komar and Armstrong with her. Jeanson was unable to follow. The three riders quickly caught and dropped the early break, and continued to widen their lead (at 50 seconds with 4 kilometres to go). Jeanson dropped the main group to chase with two other riders - Bessette's team mate Magali L'Floch and Christine Thornburn (Webcor), but could not close the gap.

The men's race is just about to get underway.

Preliminary results:

1 Kristin Armstrong (T-Mobile)
2 Sue Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba-FFCC)
3 Lyne Bessette (Quark)