June 2, 2005 (Montréal, Quebec) — Australian Oenone Wood (Nurnberger — Versicherung) worked hard and finally got the yellow leader’s jersey after stage three of the Tour du Grand Montréal. She did so with panache, after a break with three other riders, which lasted almost 60 of today’s 80 kilometres of racing. Switzerland’s Annette Beutler (Quark) outsprinted Wood and their two accomplices to win the stage in 2:02:05, at an average speed of 39.3 km/h. Denmark’s Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (S.A.T.S.) and Canadian Erinne Willock (Webcor Cycling) completed the foursome, finishing third and fourth respectively. The pack crossed the finish line 3 minutes, 44 seconds after the four runaways, who are thus the only candidates to the final podium. Wood leads Beutler, Rasmussen and Willock by 10, 18 and 23 seconds respectively.

Geneviève Jeanson (ACDA — RONA), who had started the day in yellow, finished in the main field. She now ranks fifth in GC, an endless 3 minutes, 48 seconds behind Wood.

The stage’s fate was determined toward the 23rd kilometre, when the riders climbed for the third time the chemin du Coteau, the only difficulty on an otherwise flat course. Queen of the Mountain points were at stake, and Beutler launched the attack. “I like to race aggressively”, she said, “there was a QOM spot, so”¦” Wood, Rasmussen and Willock took her wheel. Jeanson did not. “I saw them go, but I couldn’t respond “, Jeanson explained. “I guess I wasted energy in my breakaway yesterday. Call me pancake Gen, flat as a pancake. But I have no regrets, I had fun.”

Out there, the leading foursome worked well together. Very quickly the gap became meaningful. All teams with a claim to GC victory (Nurnberger — Versicherung, Quark, Webcor, SATS ) had a good, top-eight rider in the break. So back in the field, nobody had any reason to work — except Jeanson and her teammates, of course, who were left by themselves. They tried. But to no avail.

The break was well organized. They kept working together until the last few hundred metres. “Rasmussen was in front, I was second wheel and Annette (Beutler) was third wheel”, said Wood. “Then with about 300 metres to go Annette attacked into the last corner and she got a gap coming out, I tried to chase her down but didn’t quite get up.”

Le Tour du Grand Montréal is a four-day, five-stage race held from May 30 to June 2. Tomorrow’s stage is a 115 kilometre race in Saint-Hilaire.

Tour du Grand Montréal — Stage 3 Results

1 SUI Beutler,Annette QUARK (QRK) 2:02:05 AM
2 AUS Wood,Oenone Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung (NUR) 2:02:05 AM
3 DEN Rasmussen,Dorte Lohse Team S.A.T.S (TSA) 2:02:05 AM
4 CAN Willock,Erinne Webcor Builders Women’s Cycling Team (WEB) 2:02:05 AM
5 USA Sanborn,Melissa Subway (SUB) 2:05:49 AM
6 AUS Gilmore,Rochelle Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan(SAF) 2:05:49 AM
7 GER Arndt,Judith Équipe Nurnberger Versicherung (NUR) 2:05:49 AM
8 RUS Slyusareva,Olga Nobili Rubinetterie – Menikini Cogeas (NMC) 2:05:49 AM
9 GBR Heal,Rachel Team S.A.T.S (TSA) 2:05:49 AM
10 ITA Fusar Poli,Daniella Nobili Rubinetterie – Menikini Cogeas (NMC)
2:05:49 AM

Canadians
11 CAN Farell,Julia Diet Cheerwine (DCH) 2:05:49 AM
12 CAN Stephenson,Jennifer Biovail (BIO) 2:05:49 AM
13 CAN Lemieux,Audrey QUARK (QRK) 2:05:49 AM
15 CAN Gagnon,Geneviève Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau (ELI) 2:05:49 AM
16 CAN St-Laurent,Kathy Équipe du Québec (QUE) 2:05:49 AM
17 CAN Jeanson,Geneviève ACDA -Rona (ACD) 2:05:49 AM
20 CAN Sweeney,Lisa Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau (ELI) 2:05:49 AM
21 CAN Ross,Tara Diet Cheerwine (DCH) 2:05:49 AM
25 CAN Tratnyek,Anna Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC) 2:05:49 AM
26 CAN Trew,Jenny Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC) 2:05:49 AM
27 CAN Bélanger,Julie Diet Cheerwine (DCH) 2:05:49 AM
32 CAN Bédard,Marie-Pierre Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC) 2:05:49 AM
34 CAN Caron,Joanie Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau (ELI) 2:05:49 AM
40 CAN Hutsebault,Julie Équipe du Québec (QUE) 2:05:49 AM
42 CAN Numainville,Joelle Équipe Mixte espoirs Laval 2:05:49 AM
43 CAN Bourbeau,Stéphanie Équipe du Québec (QUE) 2:05:49 AM
46 CAN Lamson,Heather Diet Cheerwine (DCH) 2:05:49 AM
49 CAN Gagnon,Élisa Équipe du Québec (QUE) 2:05:49 AM
56 CAN Robbin ,Kirsten Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC) 2:05:49 AM
60 CAN Macht,Suzanne Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC) 2:05:49 AM
63 CAN Montminy,Caroline Équipe du Québec (QUE) 2:05:49 AM
65 CAN Hold,Betina Webcor Builders Women’s Cycling Team (WEB) 2:19:46 AM
DNF CAN case,Kylie Équipe Nationale du Canada (ENC)
DNS CAN Palmer-Komar,Susan Colavita/Cooking Light (CCL)
DNS CAN Cermack,Naomi Colavita/Cooking Light (CCL)
DNF CAN Bessette,Lyne Ellicyle Sport expert Louis Garneau (ELI)