July 1/00 3:19 am - Giove Beats Chausson, Tour Stage 1

Posted by Editor on 07/1/00
 

Mont Ste Anne World Cup - Giove Takes MSA Downhill

The Missile is back. Missy Giove (Foes-Azonic) just proved Anne-Caroline Chausson (Volvo-Cannondale) can be beaten, by taking the 4th round of the Tissot-UCI World Cup downhill in Mont Ste Anne. "I've been so close all season, and today I was finally able to put it all together." said an emotional Giove after final starter Chausson came across the line nearly a second behind.

The first sub-6 minute run was put together by Lisa Sher (White Bros.-Intense), at 5:55.98. "That won't last", predicted Sher, and it took only 5 riders to prove her right. Tara Llanes (Subaru-Specialized) made the next big time drop, down to 5:39.30, and took her spot in the Hot Seat - her first ever chance to try the chair of the fastest rider. "This is pretty cool."

However, she wouldn't win, as first Leigh Donovan ((Schwinn-Toyota) and then Katja Repo (GT) and finally Giove would take the lead. All eyes then turned to the clock to watch for world champion Chausson, who won on this course at the 1998 Worlds and last year's World Cup.

Giove's win was assured 100 metres from the line, when it became apparent that Chausson would be too slow. With a whoop, Giove began dancing around the finish area, celebrating her first win over her French rival since Big Bear last year. Chausson was subdued, and a little stunned at her loss "I rode as fast as possible, I made no big mistakes. I just expected to go faster."

Chausson's mantle of invincibility is looking a little thinner after today.

Race Notes:

- Cheri Elliott (Maxxis) did not start after crashing hard in qualifying. "Cheri has a foot injury, and so she has decided to save her energy for the Dual.", said a team spokesperson.

1. Missy Giove (USA) Foes-Azonic 5:27.99
2. Anne-Caroline Chausson (F) Volvo-Cannondale 5:28.91
3. Katja Repo (Fin) Team GT 5:32.43
4. Leigh Donovan (USA) Schwinn-Toyota 5:36.21
5. Elke Brutsaert (USA) Schwinn-Toyota 5:38.20.

Canadians:

19. Barb Haley Dirtworks 6:08.43
22. Lorraine Blancher Ironhorse 6:16.35
23. Kim Huard Balfa 6:21.78
26. Jennifer Ashton Norco Factory 6:37.42
27. Anne Walton Balfa 6:37.87
28. Sylvie Allen Rocky Mountain 6:45.80


Tour de France

Stage 1 - Futuroscope ITT 16.5 km

1 MILLAR David GBR COF 19:03
2 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP at 0:02
3 JALABERT Laurent FRA ONC 0:13
4 ULLRICH Jan GER TEL 0:14
5 CANADA David ESP ONC 0:16
6 ZULLE Alex SUI BAN 0:20
7 EKIMOV Vjatceslav RUS USP 0:21
8 BORGHERESI Simone ITA MER 0:27
9 HAMILTON Tyler USA USP 0:33
10 DEKKER Erik NED RAB 0:36
11 OLANO Abraham ESP ONC 0:39
12 BELOKI Joseba ESP FES 0:40
13 VOIGT Jens GER C.A 0:44
14 PLAZA David ESP FES 0:44
15 MAIGNAN Gilles FRA AG2 0:49
16 JALABERT Nicolas FRA ONC 0:53
17 GUTIERREZ Ivan ESP ONC 0:53
18 WAUTERS Marc BEL RAB 0:54
19 NARDELLO Daniele ITA MAP 0:54
20 GARCIA CASAS Félix ESP FES 0:54