May 15/99 12:07 pm - Fullana Takes World Cup #5

Posted by Editor on 05/15/99
 

Women's World Cup XC #5

Margarita Fullana (Mt Dew-Specialized) won a two up sprint today with Gunn-Rita Dahle (DBS) to take the fifth round of the cross country women's World Cup in Plymouth, England. World Cup leader Alison Sydor (Volvo-Cannondale) was third. Fullana becomes the first double race winner of the year. Fullana and Dahle got away on the first lap and basically rode together for the entire race. Sydor stayed in third all race, 15 seconds down after the first lap, nearly a minute after the second, 1:10 after the third lap and 2:05 by the end of the 4 lap race. Paola Pezzo (Gary Fisher-Saab) was with Sydor for the first lap, then faded badly; to 12th at the end of the second, and then dropping out. Swiss rider barbara Blatter (Scott-One Life) moved up to fourth, before being caught be a hard charging Annabella Stropparo (Volvo-Cannondale) in the last lap. Chrissy Redden (Ritchey-Yahoo!) started out well, but dropped to 15th by the end of the first lap, eventually finishing 16th, just behind Lesley Tomlinson (RLX Polo Sport). Melanie Dorion (Ford-Devinci) was 19th, and Melanie McQuaid (GM-Rocky Mountain) did not finish. Conditions were excellent - sunny and clear - with more than 7,000 spectators in attendance. Sydor continues to hold the World Cup overall lead, over Dahle and Alison Dunlap (GT), with Redden 8th in the standings and Tomlinson 15th.

Quotes:

Sydor - "I am very tired at this point. I'm just ready to go home for a while and recharge my batteries."

Fullana - "I felt that I was under no pressure, just to ride my best."

Dahle - "I felt good, my ribs (broken in Spain) did not hurt during the race. Fullana just had the edge in the sprint."

Full results and standings to follow.