July 29/03 8:39 am - The International (Tour de `Toona) Men's Report

Posted by Editoress on 07/29/03
 

The International Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Courtesy organization

Baldwin Keeps the Leaders Jersey in Second Stage of the Tour de `Toona - The Johnstown Circuit Race

Chris Baldwin of Navigators Cycling Team managed to hold the lead for overall general points and take the yellow leaders jersey home again today. Marc Hagenlocher won King of the Mountain honors and Kris Hedges took home the sprint jersey.

The sound of the start whistle broke the morning chill as a field of 120 men took off to begin stage two of THE INTERNATIONAL - TOUR de `TOONA, the Crown American Johnstown Circuit race.

Upon completion of the first lap, Roman Kilan, of team Fiordi/Frutta had broken away from the pack to take the lead. The field followed close behind led by Lionel Syne of the Webcor team and Will Frischkorn of team Saturn. Cyclists whirred by spectators completing the first lap in only 50 min. 22 sec. But Kilan did not hold his lead for long.

In another exciting lap of the course, the lead for points was tied with Chris Hedges of Team Snow Valley and Roman Kilan of Fiordi Frutta both with five points. Hedges along with Marc Hagenlocher of Webcor finished the second lap 3 min. 10 sec. ahead of a of five riders who were followed by the field 1 min. 41 sec. behind.

Kris Hedges held the lead in the final lap and finished first with Marc Hagenlocher close behind, both finished with a time of 2 hrs. 36 min. 15 sec. Finishing in third, Oscar Pineda from the 7UP/ Maxxis team was 35 seconds behind the leaders.

Hedges felt that the course was very compatible, "After the first lap, I saw my move and made it. At the end the field started to pick up and close in on us a little." With a lead that spanned four minutes at one point, Hedges and Hagenlocher were untouchable.