June 1/04 12:17 pm - Tour du Grand Montreal: Stage 2

Posted by Editoress on 06/1/04
 

Tour du Grand Montréal Montreal

Stage 2: Petite Italie Criterium, 50 km
report by Giana Roberge

The second stage of the Tour of Montreal was held in a dynamic area of Montreal called Little Italy. The perfect setting for a downtown criterium, the course was one kilometer of flat and fast bumpy roads. The crowd was huge, with the noise level making it almost impossible for the riders to hear the orders from their directors on the race radios.

There was a Leader's Jersey at stake, with the morning stage winner's lead being less than a second. Tina Mayolo Pic and her Genesis Scuba Team had their work cut out for them defending the slight lead over T-Mobile's Dede Demet Barry and Quark's Lyne Bessette - both very good criterium riders in the their own right. Only three seconds behind Mayolo was also Petra Rossner, and with only a three second gap to the lead and nine seconds of bonus seconds, Rossner could have yellow by night's end.

The race began fast and furious with a series of attacks from the Rona and Quark Teams. However, with such a high caliber field, there was plenty of horse power to keep any breaks in check. The $100 and $200 primes kept the pace high, and by the end, as the bell kept ringing it was clear a field sprint would be inevitable.

Having captured the mid-way time bonus sprint for three seconds over Mayolo, Rossner has the lead in her sites. With two laps to go, her Nurnberger teammate, Judith Arndt went to the front and strung the field to the breaking point. Coming out of the final corner, Rossner jumped hard on the pedals, clearing the field. Regina Schleicher (Safi-Past Zara Manhattan) tried to come to terms with the German, but she was unable to close the gap. Rossner had plenty of time to celebrate her victory as she soared across the line.

Rossner's win of both the stage and the midway time bonus moved her into the lead, however, tomorrow's 120 very hilly road race will certainly test her climbing abilities, and may compliment her teammate Arndt. Bessette is not far behind Rossner, and Demet Barry is still well within striking range. With tomorrow's forecast for wet and cold, the stage promises to be yet another showdown in the roads of Montreal.