August 24/00 8:20 am - GP Feminin Stage 2

Posted by Editor on 08/24/00
 

Symington Takes G.P. Feminin Lead

Sara Symington (British National) and Pam Schuster (International Mixed Team) took advantage while the favourites were busy eyeing each other to take the second stage of the G.P. Feminin today. Symington took both the stage and the overall lead after a long breakaway effort.

Symington and Schuster were members of a 7 rider break that left 23 kilometres into the 123 kilometre stage around Frelighsburg; the longest stage of the Grand Prix. The group reached a maximum of 3 minutes on the peloton, while the favourites - Lyne Bessette (Canadian National), Jeannie Longo (France/Bermuda), current leader Sarah Ulmer (Elita) and Tracey Gaudry (International Mixed) - watched each other carefully.

"I started to think that we let them get too far in front" said Longo, "but Bessette was working hard in the leadership role to control things." As the gap began to shrink, Schuster attacked with 20 kilometres to go, taking Symington with her. "We were the two strongest in the group", explained Symington, "and I knew once we got away that I could win the stage and take the leader's jersey." Her confidence was justified, as she outsprinted Schuster for the stage, and took a slim 3 second lead ahead of the American in the overall standings. However, tomorrow's stage, a 99 kilometre run across the U.S,-Canada border from Richford, Vermont to Lac Brome, Quebec has some of toughest climbing of the Grand Prix. "We should see some big changes in the general classification after tomorrow" promised Bessette.

Stage 2 - Frelighsburg Road Race 123 km