June 12, 2004 – The fourth stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix dawned
with bright sun and blue skies. After last night’s storms, the women’s
field was eager to race, and the 80 mile hilly road race got off to a
brisk start.

After the changes in Friday night’s stage, Quark’s Lyne Bessette retained
the Leader’s Jersey. Bessette’s Quark Team manned the front of the peloton,
defiantly defending their leader’s 3-second lead over Katrina Grove
(Rona). The only time bonus of the day was at the 80 mile finishing
marker, with 30, 20 and 15 seconds up for grabs to the top three finishers.

The racing was aggressive from the gun with several attacks on every
undulation. For each attack, the Quark Team had a response with Megan
Elliott and Audrey Lemieux doing the bulk of the work to save Bessette for
later in the stage. With the Quark Team only at four after losing
Collegiate National Champion Jenn Wangerin to a crash in yesterday’s rainy
criterium, the Team did an amazing job at answering every attack.

Several small breaks formed but with the wide open roads no one was able
to stay away. The Quark Team went on the attack with about 15 miles to go
with Sarah Uhl taking a flier that was marked by Ashley Kimmet. The
twosome stayed suspended off the front with about a 15 second gap with Uhl
holding off the Rona chase until nearly one kilometer to go when Rona’s
chase finally captured Uhl.

A that point Lemieux attacked, instantly getting a gap that looked as if
it might stay clear if confusion at the finish had not ensued. At the 200
meter to go sign, the officials followed the deviation for the caravan
cars in lieu of going straight to the finish. Lemiuex followed the car
with several riders following her. However, Joanne Kiesanowski and
Bessette followed the correct path, bearing down on the finish line.
Kiesanowski stayed clear of Besssette who held off a surge from Andrea
Hanos (Rona).

Although Kiesanowski gained 30 seconds for her win, Bessette captured 20
seconds with her second place, keeping her in the Leader’s Jersey going
into Sunday’s very difficult criterium stage. The crit stage offers no
time bonuses, however, the very challenging climb will form natural time
gaps. This is the course Bessette won on last year, and the Quark rider
is again looking forward to having a strong ride in Stillwater.

Results:
1. Joanne Kiesanowski Colavita Bolla
2. Lyne Bessette – Quark Cycling Team
3. Andrea Hanos – Rona4.