July 29/03 9:31 am - Tour de 'Toona: Stage 1

Posted by Editoress on 07/29/03
 

The International Kicks off in Altoona

Report courtesy Organization. Women's results RONA-Esker. Men's results Saturn

Jeanson Takes the Lead as the Tour de 'Toona Kicks Off

Race fans young and old braved the overcast skies and a few sprinkles as the Tour de 'Toona kicked - off Monday evening with the Sheetz Time Trials between the Allegro and the Horseshoe Curve Visitors Center.

Taking the yellow Leader's Jersey and beating all but 35 of the men's field, Genevieve Jeanson of Team Rona-Esker flew to the finish with a time of 9:16.27.

As with the men's team, the Saturn women also proved to be a force to be reckoned with finishing in second and third places. Lynn Bessette finished with a time of 9:41.32 and her teammate, Jessica Philips followed with 9:52.31.

"There were lots of good girls, I couldn't have gone any faster,"stated Jeanson after her win. Jeanson said that the Tour de 'Toona organization is one of the best of all the races she has done. "They take good care of us. We get the same distance and prize money as the men.‰

Seven-year-old John Taddei was watching the women's race. "I like it when they go down the ramp."John said he also got to see cyclist Ina Tentenberg of the Saturn team and she gave the young fan her water bottle.


Baldwin Takes the Leader's Jersey in the Sheetz Time Trials

Race fans lined the streets under overcast skies as THE INTERNATIONAL -TOUR de 'TOONA 2003 kicked off along Kittanning Road between the Allegro and the Horseshoe Curve Visitors Center with the Sheetz Time Trials.

Chris Baldwin of Navigators Cycling team took the yellow Men's Leader Jersey with a time of 8:05.86. When asked about his outlook for the week, Chris said, "I just want to bask in this for a few minutes. I have a lot of faith in my team and a lot of respect for teams like Saturn."The winner of the men's time trials also added that both the Saturn and the 7UP teams would be big competition. Baldwin is the current National Time Trials Champion.

Team Saturn proved that they will indeed be tough to beat with Nathan O'Neill and Tom Danielson, both of the Saturn Cycling Team finishing second and third place, respectively, with times of 8:16.75 and 8:23.04.

Local cycling fans Marilyn and Joe Wilt, who live in the area, were on hand to witness tonight's action, and plan to be on hand at both the Hollidaysburg Circuit and Saturday's Road Race in Altoona. "Saturday morning it is marvelous to watch them coming through that S-turn. It's wonderful. We enjoy the race and hope they keep it up."


Women - 5.67 km

1. Geneviève Jeanson (Can) RONA/Esker, 9:16.27
2. Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn, at 0:25
3. Jessica Phillips (USA) Saturn, 0:36
4. Susan Palmer-Komar (Can) Genesis Scuba/FFCC, 0:49
5. Lynn Gaggioli (USA) Velo Bella, 0:49
6. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Saturn, s.t.
7. Karen Bockel (Ger) RONA/Esker, 0:50
8. Cybil DiGuistini (Can) Diet Rite, s.t.
9. Christine Thorburn (USA) Team Basis, 0:51
10. Tina Mayolo-Pic (USA) Diet Rite, 0:54
12. Melissa Holt (NZl) RONA/Esker, 0:56
19. Erinne Willock (Can) RONA/Esker, 1:08
27. Magali Le Floc'h (Fra) RONA/Esker, 1:26
29. Catherine Marsal (Fra) RONA/Esker, 1:30


Men - 5.67 km

1. Chris Baldwin (USA) Navigators, 8:05.86
2. Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Saturn, 8:16.75
3. Tom Danielson (USA) Saturn, 8:23.04