September 29/00 8:09 am - Van Moorsel-Ziljaard Takes ITT, Bessette Interview

Posted by Editor on 09/29/00
 

Van Moorsel-Zijlaard Takes Gold, Hughes 6th in TT

Unofficial preliminary results put Leontien Van Moorsel-Ziljaard on the top of the podium for her third gold. Clara Hughes was the early leader, but later riders surpassed her time. Genevieve Jeanson finished 15th

1. Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Ne) 42:00
2. Mari Holden (USA) 42:37
3. Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli (Fra) 42:52
4. Anna Wilson (Aus) 42:58
5. Joane Somarriba Arrola (Esp) 43:06
6. Clara Hughes (Can) 43:12
7. Judith Arndt (Ger) 43:31
8. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) 43:37
9. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) 43:39
10. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) 43:48
11. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) 44:12
12. Zoulfia Zabirova (Rus) 44:22
13. Catherine Marsal (Fra) 44:27
14. Ceris Gilfillan (GBR) 44:29
15. Genevieve Jeanson (Can) 44:32
16. Karen Kurreck (USA) 44:33
17. Yvonne McGregor (GBR) 44:37
18. Teodora Ruano (Esp) 44:37
19. Tetyana Stiajkina (Ukr) 44:45
20. Solrun Flataas (Nor) 45:01
21. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) 45:11
22. Nicole Braendli (Sui) 45:16
23. Olga Slioussareva (Rus) 45:51


Bessette Interview

Lyne Bessette is back in Canada, arriving home last night. We spoke with her a few minutes ago at her home, after she held a press conference with Quebec media.

CC: So tell us about your Olympic experience - was it different from other big events you have been to, like the Commonwealth Games or Pan Ams?

LB: It was great experience, I really enjoyed Australia, although I did not get to see as much as I would have liked to! I have wanted to go to Australia for a long time so this was special for me. We were in Woolagong for most of the time, so I didn't get to see as much as I would have liked.

Before I went (to the Olympics), Clara (Hughes) said to me "the Olympics are so different, so be prepared." All the best athletes are here, it is not like a Commonwealth's, which is smaller. This helped me prepare, so it wasn't too bad.

CC: Now, about the race. Obviously there was some controversy at the end, that everyone saw on television. I don't know if you saw in our Forums, but there is a lot of support for you.

LB: Yes, I have been to your site and read the information (postings). I am really happy that other people saw what happened. I was feeling pretty good during the race and staying at the front, trying to go with the breaks and represent Canada. I did not see Genevieve (at the front) until the last lap.

CC: You did know that she crashed earlier in the race?

LB: Yes, but Clara brought her back up very fast, Clara was being a really good team mate.

CC: From what we could see it looked like she chased you on your break attempt.

LB: She should not have initiated the chase. That was not the proper thing to do. She told us that she was going to work as a team person, but then she didn't. It will be very hard for her to get my respect back. But alot of other riders came and talked to me after, and they saw what happened.

CC: We heard that Genevieve was not on the same radios as you during the race (the riders often have radio contact with their coach/manager).

LB: Because Clara and I are coached by Eric (Van den Eynde - national coach), and Genevieve is not (Andre Aubut is her coach), we decided that it would be fairest if Yury Kacherine was head coach for the race - so no favourites. Clara and I did not take radios, but Genevieve had one with her coach.

CC: Did you spend time training with Genevieve before?

LB: No, we saw her twice, once at the team meeting before the race.

CC: Did you talk with her after the race?

LB: I was pretty pissed after the race, so I went and cooled down, then talked to the journalists. No, I haven't talked to her since the race.

CC: So now you go to the Worlds.

LB: Yeah, there was one spot left, and I am feeling very determined now, after what happened, so we will see how it goes.