July 3/98 9:20 am - Walton wins stage 1 at Fitchburg, Alberta news, Worlds site revamped

Posted by Editor on 07/3/98
 

Walton, Emery Sweep Opening Fitchburg Stage For Saturn

(courtesy USA Cycling)

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Team Saturn's Brian Walton knocked down the fastest time in the opening stage of the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic Stage Race.

Elizabeth Emery, racing for Saturn's women's squad and a specialist in taking on the clock, won the women's trial in 29:12.

Walton, second overall in last year's edition, logged a time of 25:32 on a new 12.9-mile time trial course. 1997 champion John Peters (Mercury) blew apart a hub and lost two minutes in a bike change, finishing in 36th place.

In his win, Walton turned a 55x11 top gear - averaging 30.5 mph - in a perfect strategic race.

"I took it easy on the uphills, really, and pushed it on the descents, so I wouldn't overload my legs," Walton said.

Set on a triangular loop traveling across five town lines, the time trial course starting at the Best Western Royal Plaza host hotel was mostly rolling, with a long descent on the back stretch. Smooth pavement and negligible winds under 80-degree temperatures made for ideal race conditions.

"This course suited me perfectly. It wasn't technical, not a lot of turns. I could just put it in my biggest gear and go. It was a surprisingly fast course," Walton said.

Adham Sbeih, the only Nutra-Fig rider at Fitchburg, took second, 17 seconds down, and Clark Sheehan (Colorado Cyclist) was third at 27 seconds. Perennial and hometown favorite Frank McCormack (Saturn) was fifth, 41 seconds back.

Similar time gaps separated the top women's field. Second to Emery was her Saturn teammate Dede Demet, at 27 seconds back, with Anne Samplonius (Hydro Quebec Tour) third at 44 seconds.

Racers tackle the Aubuchon-Glidden Circuit Race on Friday. The race features a 3.1-mile loop, with a difficult stair-step climb to the finish, rising about a 100 feet in elevation in just over a half mile.

FITCHBURG-LONGSJO CLASSIC, U.S. 2.4, July 2-5, Fitchburg, Mass. Stage One, July 2, 12.9 miles

Men
1. BRIAN WALTON (SATURN), N. Delta, B.C., Canada, 25 mins, 32 secs;
2. Adham Sbeih (Nutra Fig), Sacramento, Calif., 25:49;
3. Clark Sheehan (Colorado Cyclist), Boulder, Colo., 25:59.

Women
1. ELIZABETH EMERY (SATURN), New York, N.Y., 29 mins, 12 secs;
2. Dede Demet (Saturn), Boulder, Colo., 29:39;
3. Anne Samplonius (Hydro Quebec Tour), Canada, 29:56

 1998 Giovanni Caboto Criterium - Sunday June 28, 1998 (courtesy Mike fron ERTC)

Category 2 Men
1.Mike Haponiuk - ERTC
2.Chris Rubilak - Juventus
3.Jon Wood - ERTC - ERTC
4.Lloyd Kupchanko - ERTC 5.Dan Wood - ERTC

Women
1.Jenny Bews - Juventus
2.Tonia Wood - ERTC
3.Krista Svedahl
4.Joy Meckechuck - Juventus

Go hereto ERTC for full results pictures & story.

World Championship Site gets a facelift

The site for the Mountain Bike World Championships has a new look and some new information. Go to the site here and check it out. There will be news after this weekend at Canmore and as the event gets closer. Also, check out the Expo area. The Organizers have put together a collection of Official clothing and other accessories that you can purchase.