August 28/99 3:24 am - Whistler Classic Stage 1

Posted by Editor on 08/28/99
 

The Whistler International Classic kicked off this evening with the Fat Tire Criterium in the middle of Whistler Village. Thousands of spectators lined the cobblestones and sat in course-side cafes to watch riders whip around a circuit that took less than 30 seconds for the top riders to complete.

In the Pro Elite Women's race (25 minutes + 3 laps) Nikki Kassel (Roach/Giant) shot off the front and held her lead of 10-15 seconds for much of the race, until she flatted and crashed out in the last few laps. The other top women lined up for a sprint finish, with Amber Chorney (Fisher-Saab) out kicking Sylvie Allen (Giant/Roach) and Christine Platt.

In the Senior Expert/Junior Expert Men's race (30 minutes + 3 laps) it was the Ricky Federo (Chevy/Rocky Mountain) show, as the Junior national champion rode away from the field to win by 19 seconds over Peter Odegaard (Kona/Simon's Cycle) and Shaun Greenaway (GM/Rocky Mountain).

The Pro Elite Men's event (30 minutes + 3 laps) got rather confusing, as Lucas Curran (Exidata/Leximart) went off the front and managed to lap the entire field, except for second place Scott Ross (Tantalus Bike Shop) and Chad Miles (Fisher/Corsa). Miles set the early pace, but it was Curran, a two time runner up, who rode away for the win.

Curran, Chorney and Federo will where the Xterra Leader's Jersey into tomorrow's morning time trial stage.