September 18, 2003 (Volterra, Italy) – After some relatively low profile racing in the opening prologue and first stage of the Giro della Toscana Internazionale Femminile, today's mountain top finish in stage two resulted in the expected change in the overall classification as Edita Pucinskaite (Michela Fanini) claimed the stage after attacking her three breakaway companions a few kilometers from the finish and holding off any chase efforts on her way to moving into the overall lead.

Considered to be the definitive stage in the tour, the 115.4k parcours beginning in Pontadera ascended the Volterra not once, but twice. With the challenging climbs coming later in the race, the peloton was satisfied to remain intact until the road turned upwards, but a points sprint and two sprints for time bonuses encouraged some early aggression.

Following the second time bonus sprint, T-Mobile's Mari Holden (Colorado Springs, CO) was one of four riders who formed a small break that was eventually swallowed up before the base of the first trip up the Volterra.

As the group made its way up the Volterra, a 10km, category-one climb, for the first time, the group blew apart resulting in a lead bunch of ten that was quickly rejoined by several groups on the ensuing descent.

As the base of the second and final climb approached, a group of roughly 40 riders led the field at which point the pace intensified. As a result, a dozen riders managed to distance themselves from the bunch.  Behind, a small, but powerful chase group formed that included Pucinskaite, Fabiana Luperini (2002 Aurora), Miriam Melchers (Farm Frites-Hartol), and Susanne Ljungskog (Bik-Powerplate). After catching and ultimately passing the lead group of twelve, Pucinskaite attacked the other three and held them off for the stage win.

Behind, T-Mobile's Dede Barry joined the second group that had grown to about 20 riders ahead of a second chase group of six that contained teammates Holden and Kristin Armstrong (T-Mobile).

Tomorrow offers the riders a double day, beginning with a 70k circuit race in Porcari, followed by a 55k twilight criterium in Camp Bisenzio.

Complete coverage and results of T-Mobile's progress at the Giro della Toscana is available at: www.usacycling.org/tmobile

Giro della Toscana Internazionale Femminile
Stage 2
Pontedera-Volterra
1. Edita Pucinskaite ( S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox)
2. Fabiana Luperini ( Team 2002 Aurora-RSM)
3. Miriam Melchers ( Farm Frites-Hartol)  Stages:
Prologue – September 16: Pistoia – Pistoia ITT, 2 km
Stage 1 – September 17: Lugano Stab. Delca – Altopascio, 109.1 km
Stage 2 – September 18: Pontedera – Peccioli – Volterra, 115.4 km
Stage 3a – September 19: Pocari – Montecarlo – Porcari, 69.9 km
Stage 3b – September 19: Campi Bisenzio, 54.6 km
Stage 4 – September 20: Segromigno in Piano – Capannori, 112.7 km
Stage 5 – September 21: Quarrata – Firenze, 109.5 km