May 4/02 7:27 am - Tour of the Gila: Stage 4, Birthdays

Posted by Editoress on 05/4/02
 

Tour of the Gila: Stage 4
Courtesy Team Saturn

Fraser and Bockel take Top Honors
Jeanson and Wherry Maintain Leader's Jerseys

The fourth stage of the Tour of the Gila was a downtown criterium in Silver City. Both the women and the men raced on the same 1.08 mile course, with 80 feet of climbing per lap and a high speed descent into the final corner which made for a thrilling final sprint.

With the women's overall neatly sewn up by RONA's Geneviève Jeanson, the field was racing for a stage win. Despite Anna Millward's absence from the race start due to an allergic reaction just prior to the start, the Saturn Team raced aggressively from the gun. However, the RONA Team's efforts matched those of the Saturn Team. In the end a small group of four formed containing three RONA teammates: eventual race leader Karen Bockel, Geneviève Jeanson, and Melissa Holt. Saturn's Ina Teutenberg joined them, but sorely outnumbered was not able to respond when Jeanson allowed the gap to form for teammate Bockel. Bockel held her gap until the end for the win over Teutenberg.

In the men's race things were stirred up early by a series of attacks issued from the Prime Alliance, 7-Up and Jelly Belly Teams. However, it was not until a break of three containing Saturn's Victor Repinski, 7-Up's Clark Sheehan, and Trek's Mark Southard formed that Mercury's tenacious grip on the field was tested. With Repinski's awesome horsepower, and the two eager companions, the break began to gain time. However, as the laps ticked away, the surging Mercury team began to take time back on the threesome, and with only two corners to go the field was one again. In the final meters it was Mercury's Gord Fraser jumping off a perfect lead-out for the win. Saturn's Repinski finished an impressive third.

In both the men's and women's race the overall standings remain unchanged, with Wherry and Jeanson leading their respective categories. Tomorrow's Gila Monster promises to be a leg buster. Wherry and Jeanson have lead the tour from Stage one and will not be easy to overturn.

Results

Women
1. Karen Bockel - RONA
2. Ina Teutenberg - Saturn Cycling Team
3. Melissa Holt - RONA
4. Geneviève Jeanson - RONA

Men
1. Gord Fraser - Mercury
3. Victor Repinski - Saturn Cycling Team


Happy Birthdays to.... Seamus McGrath, who celebrated a birthday yesterday and to Sylvia Burka, today.