April 25, 2003 – Today's race covered 202 kilometers across the undulating
Georgian countryside, taking riders from Macon to Columbus and featuring two
opportunities to gain sprint points, at Thomaston (74.8k) and Warm Springs
(123 k). After the distance covered, the crowds were delighted with
a final field sprint, and it was Moreno Dibiase (Formaggi Pinzolo Fiave')
emerging victorious from the peloton, ahead of Fred Rodriguez (Vini
Caldirola-Sidermec) and Henk Vogels (Navigators). With his third place,
Vogels held on to first in the general classification going into Stage 3.

After Saturn's Chris Horner captured the early time bonus, putting him in
the lead should Vogels not gain the time back in the finish, the race got
exciting when a three-man break containing Phil Zajicek (Saturn), Eric
Saunders (Ofoto-Lombardi Sports), and Troy White (Sierra Nevada-Clif
Bar) gained enough of a lead to put Zajicek in the virtual leader's jersey on
the road. Uncomfortable with the time the group was gaining, the Navigators
team chased it down bringing the group back together. Coming into the finish
it was clearly going to be a bunch gallop for the final sprint.

Saturn's Chris Horner suffered an unfortunate flat on the section of red
brick pave in the last kilometer, taking him out of the mix for the final
sprint and some of the valuable time bonuses up for grabs.  Horner's overall
placing was not jeopardized as he flatted in the final kilometer and was
therefore awarded same time as the group.

The final sprint was handily won by Di Biase with Fred Rodriguez in second
and Henk Vogels in third.  The overall classification looks similar to that
of yesterday, however, Vogels has managed to edge a bit more time away from
Nathan O'Neill and Horner, sitting in second and third, respectively. Their
Saturn Teammates Zajicek and Eric Wohlberg sit in fifth and sixth as well.
Horner still leads the King of the Mountain competition.

Results:
Stage 2, Macon to Columbus

1. Moreno DiBiase (I), Formaggi Pinzolo, 117mi in 4:07:45
2. Fred Rodriguez, Vini Caldirola-Sidermec
3. Henk Vogels (Aus), Navigators
4. Charles Dionne (Can), Saturn
5. Kevin Monahan, 7UP-Maxxis
6. Matt Dubberly, Sierra Nevada
7. Uros Murn (Slo), Formaggi Pinzolo
8. Alex Candelario, Prime Alliance
9. Jeff Hopkins (Aus), Jittery Joe's
10. Bobbie Traksel (Nl), Rabobank, all s.t.

Overall
1. Vogels (Navigators)
2. Chris Horner, Saturn, at 0:04
3. Nathan O'Neill (Aus), Saturn, at 0:05
4. John Lieswyn, 7UP-Maxxis, at 0:12
5. Phil Zajicek, Saturn, at 0:13
6. Eric Wohlberg (Can), Saturn, at 0:14
7. Chris Baldwin, Navigators, at 0:16
8. Danny Pate, Prime Alliance
9. Roland Green (Can), U.S. Postal Service, s.t.
10. David Zabriskie, U.S. Postal Service, at 0:17.