July 26, 2004 – The 20th edition of The International Tour de ‘Toona began today with Sheets Time Trial wins by Nathan O’Neill (Colavita Olive) and Lyne Bessette (Quark Cycling Team), making them the first to wear the men’s Waste Management and women’s Hershey Foods yellow leader jerseys.

Bessette, the Canadian Olympic hopeful who races for Quark Cycling Team, beat fellow Canadian Olympian Susan Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba Pro) by 15 seconds. Bessette is the defending women’s champion, and her Quark team trails Team Rona by just two seconds in the team standings. Rona’s Genevieve Jeansen, the 2001 winner, finished fourth.

O’Neill, of Colavita Olive Oil, was able to out-pace the rest of the field by 15 seconds. While he took the individual overall lead, the former Australian National Time Trial Champion was one of seven Colavita cyclists to place in the top 15, giving them the overall team lead as well. American Olympian team member Danny Pate, of Health Net presented, finished 10th.

A constant rain forced the racers to take a cautious approach to the 3.5 mile course which begins in the city of Altoona and climbs to the historic Horseshoe Curve.

“It was raining very hard but you don’t think about it,” said Magali LeFloch of Quark Cycling Team. “I have a secret,” she said as she pulled a piece of plastic out from under her jersey. “That way I don’t feel the wind.” Over $95,000 in prize money will be awarded over the course of the seven day event, which is North America’s largest stage-race. The event awards prizes equally among both men and women. The International Tour de ‘Toona continues Tuesday with the Crown American / Cambria CVB Johnstown Circuit Road Race.

Men’s Stage 1 Results

1.O’Neill, Nathan Colavita Olive Oil 8:10
2.McCartney, JasonHealth Net 8:25 (+:15)
3.Moniger, ScottHealth Net 8:26 (+:16)
4.Horner, ChrisWebcor Cycling Team 8:33 (+:23)
5.Knight, AndrewLouis Garneau Racing 8:35 (+:25)
6.McCormack, MarkColavita Olive Oil 8:39 (+:29)
7.England, JustinWebcor Cycling Team 8:40 (+:30)
8.Frishkorn, WillColavita Olive Oil 8:40 (+:30)
9.Olson, AaronColavita Olive Oil 8:41 (+:31)
10.Pate, Danny Health Net 8:42 (+:32)

Women’s Stage 1 Results
1.BESSETTE Lyne Quark Cycling Team 9:20
2.PALMER-KOMAR Susan Genesis Scuba Pro 9:35(+: 15)
3.WILLOCK ErinneRona 9:36(+: 16)
4.JEANSON GenevieveRona 9:38(+ :18)
5.GAGGIOLI LynnVelo Bella 9:45(+: 24)
6.JUTRAS ManonQuark Cycling Team 9:46(+ :25)
7.RUITER ChrissyTeam Basis/Ford 9:53(+: 32)
8.OURADA BrookeVictory Brewing 9:56(+: 35)
9.ESPESETH SandyVictory Brewing 9:56(+: 35)
10.BLICKEM CandiceGenesis Scuba Pro 9:58(+: 38)

Men’s GC Standings
1.O’Neill, NathanColavita Olive Oil 8:10
2.McCartney, JasonHealth Net 8:25 (+:15)
3.Moniger, ScottHealth Net 8:26 (+:16)
4.Horner, ChrisWebcor Cycling Team 8:33 (+:23)
5.Knight, AndrewLouis Garneau Racing 8:35 (+:25)
6.McCormack, MarkColavita Olive Oil 8:39 (+:29)
7.England, JustinWebcor Cycling Team 8:40 (+:30)
8.Frishkorn, WillColavita Olive Oil 8:40 (+:30)
9.Olson, AaronColavita Olive Oil 8:41 (+:31)
10.Pate, DannyHealth Net 8:42 (+:32)

Women’s GC Standings
1.BESSETTE LyneQuark Cycling Team 9:20
2.PALMER-KOMAR SusanGenesis Scuba Pro 9:35(+: 15)
3.WILLOCK Erinne Rona 9:36(+: 16)
4.JEANSON GenevieveRona 9:38(+ :18)
5.GAGGIOLI Lynn Velo Bella 9:45(+: 24)
6.JUTRAS ManonQuark Cycling Team 9:46(+ :25)
7.RUITER ChrissyTeam Basis/Ford 9:53(+: 32)
8.OURADA BrookeVictory Brewing 9:56(+: 35)
9.ESPESETH SandyVictory Brewing 9:56(+: 35)
10.BLICKEM CandiceGenesis Scuba Pro 9:58(+: 38)

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