August 28/98 8:43 am - Grand Prix Feminin International Stage 1

Posted by Editor on 08/28/98
 

Grand Prix Feminin International Stage 1

We received a phone call from Chrissy Redden who told us that todays 103.4km stage was held in sunny, dry conditions with the temperature at about 26 degrees. There were 2 climbs in todays stage, neither of which were long, just short, steep "Leg Burners".

The pack stayed together until the bottom of the first climb (46km), where Chrissy launched an attack. Half way up the hill she was caught and passed by a group of 5 riders (Dunlap, Sydor,Palmer, Bessette, and Alexander). This group had a reasonable gap on the pack by the top of the climb, and since every major team was represented, no one from the pack was willing to chase. By the end of the race they had nearly 6 minutes on the pack and Alison Dunlap had maintained her Maillot Or, but Alison Sydor is nipping at her heels and there are 3 other riders who are just seconds back.

Tomorrow Stage 3 is 91.4 km with one sprint and one climb.