April 5/03 9:33 am - Redlands Classic Stage 4: brief

Posted by Editoress on 04/5/03
 

Redlands Stage 4Courtesy Team Saturn

Saturn doubles it up in downtown Redlands
Teutenberg and Dionne victorious in blustery conditions

The fifth day of racing at the Redlands Bicycle Classic gave a respite to those tired from the climbing stages and an opportunity for a stage win for the sprinters. The downtown criterium had excellent crowd support despite the chilly temperatures and the racers did not fail to please with high speeds and countless attacks in both the men's and the women's races. With the women's race title all but complete for Genevieve Jeanson, it was time for the Ina Teutenberg to once again step forward to hit another victory out of the park. The men's race also had the lead all but sewn up - Nathan O'Neill might not necessarily win, but it looks certain to be a Saturn rider at this point in the game. And perhaps not planned, the Race Leader's Yellow Jersey once again changed hands in the Saturn Team with Chris Horner edging O'Neill slightly in the lead.

The women's race was hotly contested with attacks coming from all teams. T-Mobile, Saturn, Victory Brewing and the Trek women's team all sent riders up the road, keeping the pace fast and furious. However, nothing was to stick until two laps to go when Saturn's Teutenberg took a flier and only Catherine Marsal (Rona/Eskar) was able to stay with her. The two immediately began to work and held off a hard chasing Diet Rite Team by only a few seconds. It was Teutenberg by meters over Marsal. Tina Mayolo Pic took the field sprint for third.

The men's race saw the Saturn Team controlling the front with all eight taking turns to keep the speed high. A few of the brave tried to attack the wall of yellow and black, but the team was relentless in their speed, and all attacks were negated almost immediately. In the final laps it was Saturn picking up the speed and stretching the field single file into the final corner, where defending champion of the 2002 Redlands Criterium, Charles Dionne, opened up a five bike gap on Gord Fraser (Health Net) and Migel Meza (Schroeder Iron). Dionne held his gap for his first win in Saturn colors; Fraser was second with Meza in third. The overall saw a slight change with Horner moving into Yellow, O'Neill slipping into second, and Tom Danielson in third.

Tomorrow's sunset circuit race should see the strong climbers again come to the fore. With lots of climbing every lap, there is plenty of opportunity for both Jeanson and Horner to protect their lead.

Men
1. Charles Dionne - Saturn
2. Gord Fraser - Health Net
3. Migel Meza - Schroeder Iron

Women
1. Ina Teutenberg - Saturn
2. Catherine Marsal - Rona/Eskar
3. Tina Mayolo Pic - Diet Rite

Editors note: Nice to see Charles back, after his terrible accident at TDL