May 30, 2011 (Killington, VT) – After the calm moment passed and all the artillery was detonated, P-K Express soldiers battled a good battle and chaperoned Veronique Fortin into the leader’s jersey on the final stage. The situation looked grim after Veronique Fortin received a 30-second penalty for a yellow line infraction on the first stage.

It seemed like our stars were cursed as numerous teams had yellow line infractions but only one additional rider was penalized. Realizing that the race Officials were in no mood to hear my protest, I walked away and took the time hit.

Race officials reminded all of the riders at the start of the final epic stage, that this is the last warning that any yellow line violations would be dealt with severely.

We waged an epic battle with Juvederm-Specialized. I rested Suzie Brown and Laura Haapamaki in the time trial knowing I would need the strength of Zeus to overhaul the nine Juvederm riders. Susan Palmer-Komar and Myriam Gaudreault were dedicated lieutenants and all four controlled the Juvederm attacks even though Sue Schlatter from Stevens had the leader’s jersey after the time trial.

It was unfortunate that Juvederm’s yellow line infraction was pivotal in giving Veronique her greatest victory, but our riders were terrified of the yellow line. The race was already on shaky ground and I warned my riders several times of the austere consequences of any further yellow line violations.

I salute the Juvederm team for racing full blast. It was a fantastic challenge and epic carnage. Veronique Labonte rode like ten soldiers and impressed all that followed the race.

In the end, Juvederm delivered a rested and protected Denise Ramsden who actually beat Veronique Fortin on the final climb by one minute and 9 seconds, but her team’s collective yellow-line violations ended up snatching her glory. We, P-K Express members, acknowledge her misfortune. But it was David verses Goliath circumstances, and I am extremely proud of my team for always believing in order to achieve.