April 1, 2003 (Riverside, California) – Canadian Geneviève Jeanson of the RONA/Esker cycling team won the prologue at the Redlands Bicycle Classic and took the lead of this six-stage race held east of Los Angeles. She completed the 5-km climb up Mount Rubidoux in 9' 43″ at an average speed of 30.9 km/h. Kim Bruckner and Amber Neben, both of US-based T Mobile, joined Jeanson on the podium today, having finished 20″ and 23″ behind Jeanson respectively. Saturn's Manon Jutras and Lyne Bessette finished fourth and fifth. Tomorrow's stage will be a 66-km race on a rolling course.
Redlands Bicycle Classic
Prologue : Mount Rubidoux time trial
Rank Name (team) Time
1. Geneviève Jeanson (CAN, RONA Esker) 5 km in 9'43″ (avg. 30.9 km/h)
2. Kimberly Bruckner (USA, T Mobile) 20″
3. Amber Neben (USA, T Mobile) 23″
4. Manon Jutras (CAN, Saturn) 23″
5. Lyne Bessette (CAN, Saturn) 31″
14. Karen Bockel (GER, RONA Esker) 1' 11″
16. Andrea Hannos (CAN, RONA/Esker) 1' 13″
27. Kristen LaSasso (USA, RONA/Esker) 1' 22″
28. Catherine Marsal (FRA, RONA/Esker) 1' 24″
34. Magali Le Floc'h (FRA, RONA/Esker) 1' 31″
The Redlands Classic web site is found at www.redlandsclassic.com
Team RONA/Esker is one of only two Canadian women's cycling teams in the Elite Category that are recognized by the International Cycling Union. The team is made up of four Canadian racers (Geneviève Jeanson, Andrea Hannos, Carrie Tuck and Erinne Willock), French racers Catherine Marsal and Magali Le Floc'h, New Zealander Melissa Holt, German Karen Bockel and American Kristen LaSasso.
RONA is Canada's leading hardware and home renovation retailer (www.rona.ca). Esker is a natural spring water from the north of Canada, sold in North America and Asia (www.eskerwater.com).
The team also receives equipment and service sponsorships from many companies, including Colnago, Biemme, Shimano, Michelin, Mavic, Diadora, Limar, Selle Italia, ITM, Look, CatEye, Tacx, Finish Line, Cane Creek, Saris, Power Tap, Cycles Lambert and Club Médico-Sportif.