courtesy of Team Rona

June 29, 2002 (Fitchburg, Massachusetts) – Lyne Bessette, of the QuÈbec
Team, Manon Jutras of Team RONA and Clara Hughes of the QuÈbec
Team crossed the finish line in that order, today, at the top of Mount
Wachusett. The very hard third stage of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic, held
in Central Massachusetts, thus finished with an all-Canadian podium.

Bessette finished the stage with a 4’47” lead over Manon Jutras. She
increased to 5’35” her lead over Kimberly Bruckner in overall cumulative
placings after three stages. On the eve of the final stage, Bessette has
all but won her fourth Fitchburg Longsjo in a row. Bruckner still ranks
second. Hughes and Jutras are respectively third and fourth.

Obviously in great shape, Bessette, had to come from behind and bridged to a
break away which included her teammate Clara Hughes and two RONA riders,
Manon
Jutras and New Zealander Melissa Holt, but that Bessette and Bruckner had
missed. “This morning, Meshy (Holt) and I had planned to ride a quiet day
in the peloton”, smiled Jutras after the finish. “But when the break formed
at the bottom of the first climb of the day, we couldn’t resist, we jumped
in it almost without thinking. We quickly opened a gap. So we stayed on
and worked.”

Launched toward the 12th km of a 112-km stage, the break built up a lead
that reached three minutes over Bessette. But she bridged after a 30-km
solitary chase. When Bessette caught the break, her teammate Hughes, who
had saved her energy up to then, hardened the pace. A few kilometers later,
Bessette left the little group behind during a climb. A couple of riders
tried to follow, unsuccessfully. But most decided to save themselves for
the last, very hard climb to the top of Mount Wachusett.

Bessette arrived to the summit by herself. A little less than five minutes
later, Jutras and Hughes followed, five seconds apart.

Fitchburg Longsjo Classic

Stage 3: Fichburg Gas & Electric Race up Wachusett Mountain

Pro 1/2 Women

1. Lyne BESSETTE Lac Brome Qu Quebec Selection Tea 3:17:07 0
2. Manon JUTRAS Quebec Qu Rona Cycling Team 3:21:54 04:47.0
3. Clara HUGHES Glen Sutton Qu Quebec Selection Tea 3:22:08 05:01.0
4. Erinne WILLOCK Victoria BC Verizon Wireless – C 3:22:13 05:06.0
5. Kimberly BRUCKNER Saturn Cycling Team 3:22:16 05:09.0
6. Tina MAYOLO-PIC Dahlonega GA Diet Rite 3:22:27 05:20.0
7. Kim DAVIDGE Saturn Cycling Team 3:22:45 05:38.0
8. Giselle TRAHAN Athens GA Genesis Scuba/FFCC 3:22:53 05:46.0
9. Iona WYNTER Atlanta GA Genesis Scuba/FFCC 3:23:01 05:54.0
10. Susy PRYDE TalgoAmerica 3:23:01 05:54.0

Pro 1/2 Men

1. Chris HORNER Bend OR Prime Alliance 4:19:25 0
2. Tom LEAPER Denville NJ Navigators Cycling T 4:19:48 00:23.0
3. Danny PATE Colorado Springs CO Prime Alliance 4:19:48 00:23.0
4. John LIESWYN 7Up / NutraFig 4:19:59 00:34.0
5. Mark MCCORMACK Saturn Cycling Team 4:20:10 00:45.0
6. Todd HERRIOTT New York NY Think Racing 4:20:13 00:48.0
7. Cameron HUGHES Brisbane Kissena 4:20:16 00:51.0
8. Jon HAMBLEN Manassas VA Wheelworks / Cannond 4:20:21 00:56.0
9. Frank MCCORMACK Saturn Cycling Team 4:20:24 00:59.0
10. Phil ZAJICEK Mercury 4:20:25 01:00.0