July 3, 2004 – The 4-day, 4-stage, 2004 Fitchburg-Longsjo Stage Race began last evening with the 7-mile Individual Time Trial, in this western suburb of Boston. Now in its 45th year, this New England classic is a popular race for North American riders. Although relatively short, this time trial is held on a difficult course that generally gives a preview of the overall classification. In a repeat of last year’s result, it was deja-vu all over again as Nathan Oneill (Colavita) took the win, just 9-seconds ahead of Navigators Insurance’s Viktor Rapinski. Filling out the podium was Colavita’s Will Frischkorn.

Today’s stage-2 78-mile circuit race is considered one of the toughest race
circuits on the calendar as it is a triangular shaped course that contains
a short, steep finishing hill and two long drags that offer little time for
recovery. With the Colavita squad controlling the front of the race, many
breakaway groups attacked on most of the 25 trips up the hill.to gain a
handful of seconds on the remainder of the peloton. Particularly active
was Navigators’ Mark Walters, trying to move up in the overall G.C., but he
was always marked by a member of O’Neill’s team. With three laps to go,
Navigators’ Rapinski attacked and gained 12-seconds. The field was now
being led by the Orange Jerseied O’Neill. Viktor’s breakaway was
short-lived as the peloton was intact as they came through for the final tow
laps. The uphill sprint for the finish was a battle of the power-riders
and Rapinski didn’t disappoint as he led the bunch from the final turn all
the way to the finish line. Second place went to Mark McCormack (Colavita)
with Jonathan Page (Hot Tubes) taking the final step of the podium.

With Viktor now claiming the Orange Jersey of race leader, due to the times
bonuses at the finish, the Navigators Insurance squad will enter tomorrow’s
long road stage with 2 Colavita riders just behind, and their hands full.

Stage 1:
1. Nathan O’Neill (Colavita)
2. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
3. Mark McCormack (Colavita)

Stage 2:
1. Rapinski
2. McCormack
3. Jonathan Page (Hot Tubes)

Overall G.C. (Unofficial):
1. Rapinski
2. O’Neill
3. McCormack

Women:

Stage 1:

1. Susan Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba/FFCC) 18:02.00
2. Lynn Gaggioli (T-Mobile) at 0:20
3. Katrina Grove (RONA) 0:31


Stage 2:
1. Tina Pic (Genesis Scuba/FFCC) 1:34:36
2. Laura Van Gilder (Genesis Scuba/FFCC) 0:05
3. Sarah Uhl (Quark) 0:03

Overall:

1. Susan Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba/FFCC) 1:52:38
2. Lynn Gaggioli (T-Mobile) at 0:20
3. Katrina Grove (RONA) 0:31