August 12/99 10:40 am - MTB Nationals, B.C. News, Womens Tour, Euro Results

Posted by Editor on 08/12/99
 

Mountain Bike Nationals

Tomorrow (Friday, August 13th) the Canadian Mountain Bike Nationals begin at Camp Fortune - just across the river from Ottawa. We will be bringing you complete coverage, starting with a new event - the Team Relay - tomorrow afternoon, and the Dual in the evening. So check back often after 3:00 pm (local time).


XTERRA WHISTLER SUMMER SESSION TO FEATURE PROVINCIAL ROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHISTLER, B.C.---While mountain bike competitions and events constitute the foundation of the Nissan Xterra Summer Session, road cyclists will not be without their opportunity to shine as a number of prestigious road racing events have been included on the Summer Session schedule of events.

September 3 - 6, 1999, Whistler and Pemberton will play host to some of the most preeminent road cycling events in the province.

On Friday, September 3, the Road Criterium will take to the streets of Whistler on a course that encompasses a 600 metre loop along Main Street and Northlands Boulevard. As riders drop from the lead pack they are pulled from the race. Multiple sprints and attacks will keep the pace fast and the race exciting for the spectators. The action kicks off at 5:00 p.m.

On Saturday, September 4, road racers get out of town as the action moves to Pemberton for the Provincial Individual Time Trial Championship running from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Racers will leave the start gate every 30 seconds and race against the clock, pushing themselves on a flat, but challenging course where the wind can be a factor. The event registration takes place at the Pemberton Community Centre. The course, which varies in distance from five to forty kilometres depending on category, will follow Pemberton Meadows Road.

On Sunday, September 5, the Whistler Cycling Club will be hosting the third annual 125 kilometre Pemberton to Darcy Road Race, which will also be the B.C. Road Championship. The course follows the undulating terrain of the valley with a total elevation climb of 2,500 feet, with the top cyclists expected to finish in under 2.5 hours.

Last year1s winner Christian Jordann said, "The Pemberton - Darcy Road Race is one of the toughest in the province."

The weekend wraps up on Labour Day with the Downtown Pemberton Criterium for the Provincial Championships, with racers in the Masters category starting at 7:30 am. Senior Men will compete in a 60 minute plus 10 lap loop of a 450 meter, box-shaped course with a start time of 11:30 am.

Otto Kamstra, President of the 50-member Whistler Cycling Club, notes, "The Pemberton to Darcy race has been growing over the past couple of years. We are very pleased to be working closely with TEAM Management and to be playing a role in building cycling events and the Xterra Whistler Summer Session festival."

The designation of the road races as provincial championships demonstrate the potential for road racing to grow and become a regular fixture on Whistler's summer sporting calendar. „We hope to add to our cycling events in future years,‰ remarked Kamstra.

„This is the biggest single weekend of road racing in the province,‰ said TEAM Management's technical director Claire Bonin who was previously the Domestic Programs Coordinator and Events Coordinator for the Canadian Cycling Association. „Back-to-back races and the escalation of the road race to a provincial championship mean we will attract a larger and stronger field of up to 150 riders from B.C. and Washington state.‰

In the Canada Cup series mere points separate the top five riders. Racers confirmed to date include Jesse Keefer of Vancouver who is currently in fourth spot in the men's standings, while Darnelle Moore and Sandy Espeseth who are in second and third respectively in the women's standings, are definites. Whistler will be represented by Jim Shaw, Lloyd Thomas and Luc DeGagne.

The winner of each provincial championship will be awarded the coveted champion's jersey which will be worn throughout the next racing season.

Registration fees for the ITT and Friday Crit depend on category and are either $20 or $25. Advance registration is recommended. Registration forms can be picked up at bicycle shops throughout the province. Online Registration can also be done through the website.

Only day off registration is available for the Pemberton to Darcy Road Race and Downtown Criterium. Registration is $25 for all categories.

To stage the races the Whistler Cycling Club and TEAM Management are looking to the communities for volunteer assistance. Kamstra says "The volunteer community in the Whistler - Pemberton valley is great. So many people offer so much time. I guess the community understands both the economic value and the fun and camaraderie that develops by hosting these events."

To volunteer to assist specifically with the road events please call: 905-2285 or 932-3531, or the Summer Session Volunteer Hotline: 938-7593.

The road racing events are part of the inaugural Nissan Xterra Whistler Summer Session, August 27-September 6, 1999.

Over a 10 day period competitive athletes, spectators and recreational enthusiasts of all ages will be treated to over 30 exciting events. The Xterra Summer Session kicks off with the internationally-sanctioned Whistler International Classic Stage Race, and wraps up with The Gravity Tour mountain bike downhill stage race and biker cross. Other events include skateboarding, in-line skating and trail running competitions. The action-packed line up is rounded out with resort-wide recreational and family events as well as an abundance of entertainment to suit every taste. For further information, check out the Nissan Xterra Whistler Summer Session web site: www.summersession.com.


Grande Boucle Feminine, France

Stage 5 - Arrens Marsous to Loudenvielle 122 km

1. Valentina Polkhanova (Rus) Russian Team 3:35:43
2. Diana Ziliute (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena
3. Joane Somarriba Srrola (Esp) Alfa Lum William Aurora at 0:26
4. Daniela Veronesi (Sma) Alfa Lum William Aurora s.t.
5. Edita Pucinskaite (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena 1:11

27. Sandy Espeseth (Can) Canada 10:18
52. Alison Sydor (Can) Canada 15:15
71. Heather Cole (Can) Canada 23:44
88. Leah Golbstein (Can) Canada 30:20
89. Stacey Spencer (Can) Canada s.t.
97. Amy Jarvis (Can) Canada 42:10

GC

1. Diana Ziliute (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena 16:10:49
2. Valentina Polkhanova (Rus) Russian Team at 0:15
3. Daniela Veronesi (Sma) Alfa Lum William Aurora 0:51
4. Edita Pucinskaite (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena 1:23
5. Rasa Polikievicute (Lit) Panevezys-Casteljaloux 3:14

33. Sandy Espeseth (Can) Canada 17:24
59. Alison Sydor (Can) Canada 27:30
70. Heather Cole (Can) Canada 38:03
86. Leah Golbstein (Can) Canada 56:31
93. Stacey Spencer (Can) Canada 1:04:15
99. Amy Jarvis (Can) Canada 1:13:55

Points

1. Diana Ziliute (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena 50
2. Petra Rossner (Ger) German Team 48
3. Greta Zocca (Ita) Edil Savino 41

27. Heather Cole (Can) Canada 3

Mountains

1. Daniela Veronesi (Sma) Alfa Lum William Aurora 46
2. Edita Pucinskaite (Lit) Acca Due O Lorena 45
3. Valentina Polkhanova (Rus) Russian Team 38

Teams

1. Acca Due O Lorena 48:38:23
2. Alfa Lum William Aurora at 1:34
3. Russia 13:46

15. Canada 1:17:01


1999 Rundt, Denmark

Stage 3 - Esbjerg to Vejle 190 km

1. Nicola Loda (Ita) Ballan-Alessio 4:35:32
2. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Ballan-Alessio at 0:03
3. Nicolaj Bo Larsen (Den) Team Home Jack & Jones
4. Sven Teutenberg (Ger) Team Gerolsteiner
5. George Hincapie (USA) US Postal

21. Tyler Hamilton (USA) US Postal all s.t.
52. Czeslaw Lukascewicz (Can) Wustenrot-ZVVZ 0:34
53. Michael Barry (Can) Saturn s.t.
60. Seth Pelusi (USA) Saturn 0:39
62. Mark McCormack (USA) Saturn
73. Burke Swindlhurst (USA) Saturn both s.t.
90. Brian Walton (Can) Saturn 3:31
91. Frankie Andreu (USA) US Postal s.t.
97. Dylan Casey (USA) US Postal 8:42

GC

1. Rolf Sorensen (Den) Rabobank 12:25:31
2. Nicola Loda (Ita) Ballan-Alessio at 0:08
3. Nicolaj Bo Larsen (Den) Team Home Jack & Jones 0:22
4. Lars Michaelsen (Den) La Francaise des Jeux 0:27
5. Frank Hoj (Den) US Postal 0:30

6. George Hincapie (USA) US Postal 0:31
16. Tyler Hamilton (USA) US Postal 0:32
47. Czeslaw Lukascewicz (Can) Wüstenrot-ZVVZ 5:09
51. Michael Barry (Can) Saturn s.t.
67. Seth Pelusi (USA) Saturn 5:24
72. Burke Swindlhurst (USA) Saturn
73. Mark McCormack (USA) Saturn both s.t.
84. Frankie Andreu (USA) US Postal 8:16
87. Brian Walton (Can) Saturn s.t.
102. Dylan Casey (USA) US Postal 13:27