October 17, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – The Elite women’s UCI race will soon be underway, slated for a 3pm EST start, on this beautiful Saturday in TO for the GNC Toronto International Cyclocross, now part of the North American Cyclocross Trophy (NACT) Series. The women will race for 40 min. on the 2.85km course in Centennial Park.

Lap 1
The women are off and a Stevens rider Gesa Bruechmann from Germany (not Whitman) is at the front with Natasha Elliott (ON) Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy in 2nd followed by Pepper Harlton (AB) Juventus in third.

As they hit the first barrier Elliott takes over as Bruechmann goes down with Harlton now in second and Linda Sone (Planet Bike) is in 3rd with Sarah Stewart (BC) Total Restoration in 4th.

Lap 2
As they start the second lap Elliott and Harlton have a 10s lead on Sone in 3rd with Jennifer Stevenson (?) in 4th and Stewart in 5th. CORRECTION Stevenson is not racing it’s Kristin Wenworth (US) Planet Bike in 4th – Sone’s team mate.

Lap 3
Elliott has opened up a 20s lead on Harlton in second with Sone in 3rd with Wenworth behind in 4th. Stewart and Bruechmann are in 5th and 6th.

Up the climb Sone and Wentworth are working together and have bridged to Harlton and the three have formed chase group behind Elliott who looks comfortable leading.

Lap 4
Elliott has a commanding 30s lead as she comes thru on lap 4. As she exits the maze at the beginning of the lap behind it’s Sone in second leading Harlton in 3rd with Wenworth in 4th. Bruechmann and Stewart have been joined by a third rider as they form the second chase group.

The third rider in the second chase group is Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedal Powercoaching.com/Landry’s while Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) Planet Bike is just behind. And Ontario’s Melissa Bunn (The Hub Race Team) in her first big season is in the top 10.

Lap 5 Final
Elliott is leading on the final lap extending her lead. It’s Sone in 2nd with her team mate Wenworth in 3rd as they’ve dropped Harlton in 4th who has 2s on Antonneau who moved up into 5th. Then it’s Bruechmann in 6th Stewart in 7th and Bresnick-Zocchi in 8th.

Unofficial

1. Natasha Elliott (Can) Garneau Club Chaussure Oglivy
2. Linda Sone (US) Planet Bike
3. Kristin Wenworth (US) Planet Bike
4. Kaitlin Antonneau (US) Planet Bike
5. Pepper Harlton (AB) Juventus
6. Sarah Stewart (BC) Total Restoration
7. Gesa Bruechmann (Ger) Stevens
8. Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (US) Pedal Powercoaching.com/Landry’s
9. Joele Guynup (US) Island Racing Club
10. Linnea Koons (US) October Factory Racing
11. Melissa Bunn (Can) The Hub Race Team