August 2/06 1:55 am - World Outgames Montreal: Women's Road Races: Report & Results

Posted by Editoress on 08/2/06
 

First World Outgames Montreal ˆ Sizzling Cycling Events Bring out the Best!
By Amanda Leigh Cox

Montreal, August 2, 2006 - The 1st World Outgames Montreal is an international sports, cultural, and entertainment event. Held with the rights and primary interests of the Gay, Lesbien, and Transgendered communities at heart, The Outgames separates itself from the recently ended GayGames Chicago in that participants of any sexual orientation can participate. The field is enormously international; participants from Israel, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland (to name just a few) have traveled to test their mettle in the sports events, to work for equality and justice in the cultural events, and to build community in at the various entertainment nights and events.

The Outgames officially opened this past Saturday with a gala concert and Nation's parade at the Olympic Stadium ˆ a spectacle which was reminiscent of the 1976 Olympics opening ceremonies. The sports events have been underway ever since. Cycling is no stranger to The Outgames; five events are featured; Individual Time Trial (July 31), Road Race (August 1), Criterium in Petite Italie (August 2), Team Time Trial (August 4), and Mountain Bike (August 3). Yesterday was the Road Race at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (where Montreal's F-1 race is held each year) and in the women's race competition was sizzling. Women raced 42 K around the F-1 track and were divided into 'licensed' (by a provincial or state sports body) and unlicensed categories.

From the start Caroline Theberge and Genevieve Gauthier attacked consistently, shaking off riders with each surge; then it was Julie Munro's turn to take a few attacks off the front. Chasing down the attackers were Montrealer Amanda Leigh Cox and French rider Nathalie Pelletier. With four laps to go, Pelletier and Cox stayed at the helm working together, navigating the stretched out peleton through a created chicane and up a small hill on the course. In the final stretch, Munro again took the lead but slightly faded approaching the finish; ceding her place to Cox, sprinting for the line. Gauthier, who had been quiet and sheltered from the strong wind, then jumped out and sprinted past Cox to grab the win by a hair, with Theberge, Munro, Antoinietta Lembo, and Pelletier following behind by mere seconds.

Women's Road Race Results

Licensed Women 18-29
1. Caroline Theberge
2. Julie Munro

Licensed Women 30-39
1. Genevieve Gauthier
2. Amanda Leigh Cox
3. Antoinietta Lembo

Licensed Women 40-49
1. Krista Waitney
2. Jody McCudy
3. Nicole Laviolette
Licensed Women 50 +
1. Cristina Baggi

Unlicensed Women 18-29
1. Julie Munro
2. Jen Jacobs
3. Geraldine Cahill

Unlicensed Women 30-39
1. Nathalie Pelletier
2. Martine Riou
3. Karen Mitchel

Unlicensed Women 40-49
1. Lisa Nelson
2. Barbara Hoffman
3. Debbie Johnson

Unlicensed Women 50+
1. Jan Nisbet
2. Trish Magee