October 6, 2003 -The inaugural Nella-Cramaro GP was held under cloudy cold skies in picturesque Pelham Ontario on Sunday. Hosting the event was the St. Catharines cycling club, who chose to use the 16km circuit which encompassed the feared Effingham climb. A proven circuit in both the Provincial and National championships, the course would provide fireworks within an international field of bike racers.

Eager to stretch their legs before the World's in Hamilton, the espoir and junior field included Belgium, Poland, Colombia, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand, Japan, Moldavia, Russia, Sweden, United States, Norway, Lithuania, Malta, Israel and both Canadian National teams and Provincial teams.

The Junior's would face seven laps of 16km, totaling 112km for the day. From the gun the pace was fast and furious as the riders sprinted for cash primes, three deep over the top of the climb. Current World Champion Mikhail Ignatyev of Russia took his fair share of primes before being joined by three Belgian riders to form the winning break of four. Leading the pack by over a minute the Belgians continued to attack the Russian one by one until Pieter Jacobs made it stick and soloed in for the win. Belgium scored second as well with Jurgen Roelands edging out Ignatyev at the line.

Canadians faired exceptionally well with Brandon Crichton of Ontario placed 6th and former National Champion Mark Pozniak of St. Catharines placing second Canadian and 15th overall, perhaps showing the CCA that he indeed belonged on the National Team. The other Canadian to finish would be Raphael Tremblay in 18th.

The ten lap 160km Espoir (under 23) road race was also very aggressive from the gun with only eleven riders finishing the day.  Again it would be a day for the Belgians as they seemed suited to the cold, misty weather the race was experiencing.

A winning break of six riders that included three Belgians, a Swede, a Colombian and an American Will Frishkorn pushed the pace on a field that blew to pieces behind. Sprinting for the money over the top of the hill, the Belgians separated themselves from the other three and working together easily opened a comfortable gap. Leading the charge to the line would be Preben Van Hecke followed by countryman Jens Renders and Max Monfort.

Incredibly, Belgian Johan Vansummen would catch the other three, pass them and take fourth on the day, making it an impressive Belgian sweep.

Canadians Chris Issac (Gears) would pack it in about half way as he is racing the ITT on Tuesday.  Martin Gilbert looked comfortable in the main field before abandoning with two to go and local riders Buck Miller (Jet Fuel) and Jeff Schiller (London) would finish a very respectable tenth and eleventh.

ESPOIR
1. Preben Van Hecke, BEL
2. Jens Renders, BEL
3. Max Monfort, BeL
4. Johan Vansummen, BEL
5. Jonas Holmkuist, SWE
6. Will Frishkorn, USA
7. Philip Deignan, IRE
8. Andres Cardenas, COL
9. M. Neisa Avvarado, COL
10.Buck Miller, CAN

JUNIOR
1. Pieter Jacobs, BEL
2. Jurgen Roelands, BEL
3. Mikhail Ignatyev, RUS
4. M. Van Nellbrook, BEL