April 6, 2003 (Redlands, CA) – Chris Horner of Saturn Cycling Team became the first three-time men's winner of the 19th annual Redlands Bicycle Classic, while Canada's Genevieve Jeanson of Rona/Esker won the women's race for the second time in three years on Sunday, April 6, 2003.

Horner, along with teammates Nathan O'Neill and Tom Danielson, blistered the field in the final stage, the 90-mile Redlands Business Center Sunset Road Race. Danielson won the stage, but it could have been any one of the that trio. They rode easily across the finish line, holding arms aloft in celebration. Several minutes later, a 24-rider field crossed the line in downtown Redlands, a field sprint won by Schroeder Iron's Miguel Meza, the week's green jersey sprint champion.

Jeanson, who won by nearly 13 minutes after six days of racing, including four stage victories, outrode a group of Saturn cyclists that included Lyne Bessette and Manon Jutras, who finished second and third.

“I'll go to Sea Otter next,” said Jeanson. “We have some new riders coming in up there, so we'll be pretty strong.”

Jeanson, who capped the six-day race by winning Tuesday's Mt. Rubidoux Time Trial, the Oakmont Oak Glen Road Race and the Sun Panorama Point Race, solidified her hold on this year's Redlands Classic by winning the Sunset Road Race by 6:39 over Bessette, Jutras and T-Mobile's Amber Neben. Helen Kelly, of Team TDS, won the green jersey sprint title ahead of Nicole Freedman. Jeanson added the red jersey climber's title to her collection of weeklong honors.

The French-Canadian says she'll return to Arizona after Sea Otter in Monterey, California. Her ultimate goal for the year is the World Championships, an event that will be held in her native Canada.

“Europe? she asked, repeating a question about her future. “Maybe, later. After the Olympics (at Athens, Greece in 2004), we'll see.”

Team Saturn claimed the women's team title, beating T-Mobile USA by 8:46. RONA trailed Saturn by 31 minutes.

Danielson joined Horner, O'Neill and Charles Dionne as stage winners throughout the week. As O'Neill and Horner started the final stage dead even in overall race time, Horner was proclaimed the winner after finishing an easy wheel ahead of his new teammate, O'Neill.

“I've had some serious years of suffering,” said Horner, “and some wonderful years of success. Hopefully, the years of success continue.”

Horner has won the Redlands Bicycle Classic in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Until this year, Horner shared dual Redlands titles with Scott Moninger and Malcolm Elliott.

Prime Alliance's Jonathan Vaughters led teammate David Clinger up the hill in an early climb, hoping to claim the mountain points for the red climber's jersey. Soon thereafter, the Saturn trio began to break away from the field.

“Once the G.C. guys were out of the way, from then on,” said Horner, “it was just victory laps.” O'Neill went on to win the red jersey. Saturn also won the team championship.

Redlands Business Center Sunset Road Race

Women
1. Genevieve JEANSON, (Rona-Esker) 2:39:38
2. Lyne BESSETTE (Saturn Cycling) 2:46:17
3. Amber NEBEN (T-Mobile) 2:46:17
4. Manon JUTRAS (Saturn Cycling Team) 2:46:17
5. Magalie LEFLOCH (RONA-Esker) 2:47:11

Overall
1. Genevieve JEANSON (RONA-Esker) 11:13:18
2. Lyne BESSETTE (Sturn Cycling) 11:26:10
3. Manon JUTRAS (Saturn Cycling) 11:26:14

Sprinter Competition: Helen Kelly (TDS)
Climber Competition: Genevieve Jeanson (Rona-Esker)
Team Overall: Saturn Cycling

Men
1. Tom DANIELSON (Saturn Cycling), 3:23:00
2. Nathan O'NEILL (Saturn Cycling), 3:23:00
3. Chris HORNER (Saturn Cycling), 3:23:00
4. Miguel MEZA (Schroeder/Iron Pro Cycling), 3:35:09
5. Brice JONES (7Up/Maxxis), 3:35:09

Overall
1. Chris HORNER (Saturn Cycling),14:12:05
2. Nathan O'NEILL (Saturn Cycling), 14:12:06
3. Tom DANIELSON (Saturn Cycling),14:13:04

Sprinter Competition: Miguel Meza (Schroeder/Iron Pro Cycling)
Climber Competition: Nathan O'NEILL (Saturn Cycling)
Team Overall: Saturn Cycling