RIVERSIDE (CA): Last year’s winner Geneviève Jeanson of Team Rona
hammered to a winning time of 9:25, more than 41 seconds ahead of
everybody else. Saturn nabbed places 2 through 4 with their big
three: Judith Arndt, Lyne Bessette and Petra Rossner.

Despite Jeanson’s clear dominance, Saturn team director Giana Roberge
made it clear that the race was far from over.

Conversely, Jeanson’s thoughts weren’t on tactics at all, at least
for the moment. “I just rode the best that I could,” Jeanson stated
simply. About the days ahead, her philosophy is: “My preparation was
just about the same as last year. I spent most of the winter training
in Arizona.”

Saturn team manager Giana Roberge sounded more analytical about what
is to come over the rest of the week: “Last year we didn’t get a
chance to race because we lost Ina and Lyne right away. This year, we
both have full, healthy teams and we both have good strong teams.”

The men’s race featured a similar duel amongst a very strong field.
Last year’s overall winner Trent Klasna of Saturn conceded 14 seconds
to another former Redlands Bicycle Classic winner, Chris Horner of
Prime Alliance. Navigator’s Chris Baldwin finished third, just one
second back, while seconds separated the next six riders.

Klasna’s Saturn team was number one for the day, but Horner seemed to
like his chances: “I feel fantastic. It’ll be just a matter of
whether or not the team can keep me fresh, and I think they will. We
have a great team with some really talented riders and if they get me
to the climb (on Oak Glen) then the pressure will be on my shoulders.”

The 18th annual Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage Race got underway
today with a 5K time trial up Mt Rubidoux in Riverside, California.
The race was held in dry, cool and blustery conditions. The start
times for tomorrow’s Arrowhead RMC Highland Circuit Race are 8:45 am
for the women and 10:45 for the men.

Results:

Women:

1. Geneviève Jeanson (Rona Cycling Team, CAN), 9:25.821

2. Judith Arndt (Saturn, GER), 10:06.531

3. Lyne Bessette (Saturn, CAN), 10:18.726

4. Petra Rossner (Saturn, GER), 10:22.948

5. Susan Palmer-Komar (TalogoAmerica Cycling, CAN), 10:23.439

Other Canadians:

8. Cybil Diguistini (Diet Rite) 10:37.042; 10. Manon Jutros (Rona Cycling Team) 0:10:39.105; 15. Chrissy Redden (Canadian National Team) 10:45.378; 18. Anne Samplonius (TalogoAmerica Cycling) 0:10:47.015; 19. Andrea Hannos (Rona Cycling Team) 0:10:48.356; 20. Alison Sydor (Cdn National) 0:10:48.523; 24. Lesley Tomlinson (Cdn National) 0:10:54.083; 27. Nicole DeMars (Bianchi USA) 0:10:56.336; 28. Trish Sinclair (Cdn National)
0:10:57.218; 34. Amy Jarvis (Rona Cylcing Team) 0:11:03.795; 36. Kiara
Bisaro (Cdn National) 0:11:07.434; 40. Erin Carter (Cdn National)
0:11:12.698; 51. Heather Cole, 0:11:17.918; 61. Giselle Trahan (Voler)
0:11:29.108; 64. Kimberly Davidge (Saturn) 0:11:33.551; 65. Gina Grain
(Bianchi USA) 0:11:35.096; 83. Ivana Bisaro (Voler) 0:12:02.620 84. Mandy
Poitras (Bianchi USA) 0:12:03.930

Team Stage Placings:

1. Saturn, 2. Rona Cycling Team, 3. TalogoAmerica Cycling

Men:

1. Chris Horner (Prime Alliance, USA), 8:48.597

2. Trent Klasna (Saturn, USA), 9:02.859

3. Chris Baldwin, (Navigators, USA), 9:03.028

4. Soren Petersen (Saturn, DEN), 9:03.760

5. Eric Wohlberg (Saturn, CAN), 9:04.394

Other Canadians:

6. Roland Green (Cdn National) 0:00:17; 17. Mark Walters
(Navigators)0:00:35; 18. Chris Sheppard (Cdn National) 0:00:35; 21. Seamus
McGrath (Cdn National) 0:00:39; 22. Jacob Erker (Pharmacia) 0:00:39; 25.
Andreas Hestler (Cdn National) 0:00:40; 32. Mathieu Toulouse (Cdn National)
0:00:43; 38. Svein Tuft (Prime Alliance) 0:09:34.470; 40. Greg Sieniewicz
(OFOTO-Lombardi Sports) 0:00:47; 45. Michael Barry (U.S.Postal Service)
time; 47. Andrew Randell (Volvo-Cannondale) time; 52. Gord Fraser (Mercury)
0:00:56; 55. Scott Price (Landis Trek VW)0:00:57; 84. Josh Hall (Cdn
National) 0:01:11; 98. Charles Dionne (7UP/NutraFig) 0:01:14; 110. Ian
Condron (Canadian National) 0:01:19;

Team Stage Placings

1. Saturn, 2. Prime Alliance, U.S. Postal Service

For more results and info see www.redlandsclassic.com