June 9, 2004 – The women’s segment of the Nature Valley Grand Prix kicked
off today in Virginia, MN. Throughout the years, race promoter David
LaPorte’s hard work has grown the women’s field from 40 women in the early
years to 110 in the 2004 edition. The five-day race is also the second
stop on the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series, a four race series held
exclusively for women to highlight and focus only on women’s racing.
Quark’s Lyne Bessette was not only the current leader of the WPCS, but
also considered a favorite here at Nature Valley.

The first stage was an individual 5.4 mile effort against the clock. Held
on the Masabi Bike Trail, the race brought attention to the longest bike
trail in the US. The Masabi Trail runs from the headwaters of the
Mississippi River to the Boundary Waters of Canada. The small portion of
trail that was the first stage was a very fun, technical course, with some
rolling terrain and tight turns. A light tail wind helped keep the
overall speeds high, with the winner averaging 28 mph.

Early on it was Katrina Grove taking the lead with a time of 11:26:06.
For a while, Grove’s time was unshakeable, and she looked like she would
hold on for the win. However, last rider off was Quark’s Bessette, second
on the same course last year. As she came into site at the finish, it was
clear Grove and Bessette’s time would be close but who would be the
victor? In the end it was Bessette by 2.5 seconds with a winning time of
11:23:90.

Bessette’s win puts her in the leader’s jersey for tomorrow’s 80 mile Iron
Mountain Stage. Her strong Quark Team will be her most valuable asset,
but with Rona’s Grove only seconds out of the jersey, the 1:15 of time
bonuses will make the race very aggressive.

Results:
1. Lyne Bessette Quark 11:23:90
2. Katrina Grove Rona 11:26:06
3. Lynn Gaggiolli T-Mobile 11:28:984.