June 14, 2004 – The final stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix was completed today in Stillwater, MN on a technical and challenging course which managed to shake up the second through fourth spots in the overall classification. Winner of the stage, Annette Beutler (Switzerland), handily won out of a break of four riders, but overall race leader Lyne Bessette placed second in the stage, thereby finishing the 2004 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix with the leader’s jersey from start to finish.
The steep climb quickly did its job, shattering the field and creating a select group of about 14 riders almost immediately. All overall contenders were present, and without any time bonuses up for grabs, Bessette’s lead would only be threatened by time gaps. The points jersey was also settled with Gina Grain wrapping it up yesterday, thus the race really came to rest on second place Katrina Berger’s Rona Team to try to move into first place by attacking Bessette and her Quark Team.
After the midday point, the attacks began, and soon a group of four formed containing Berger and her Rona teammate Erinne Willock. Bessette was there as well as eventual race winner Beutler. Realizing that Willock would be able to move up in the overall as well as claim the young rider’s jersey, Rona pushed the pace, driving the break clear of a chase group containing third place Lynn Gaggiolli and fourth place Jeannie Longo.
Berger’s power made it impossible for anyone to make contact with the break and with three laps to go it was clear the race win would be contested among the foursome. Having spent themselves to gain as large a time gap as possible, the Rona riders did not have the final punch that Beutler and Bessette did, and on the final ascent it was Beutler taking the lead over Bessette. Bessette tried to come by the young Swiss rider, but it was not to be, and Bessette had to be content with the win of the overall and a second place finish.
Bessette’s win of Nature Valley further extends her lead in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series. The next stop in the series is the Tour de ‘Toona, which Bessette will use for some final Olympic preparation.
From here the American peloton heads to Redlands, CA to compete at the US Elite National Championships, also Olympic qualifiers. The Canadians have a brief respite before tackling their own Nationals in late June.
Results
Stage 5
1 Annette Beutler, (USA) Leitzsport Cycling
2 Lyne Bessette(CAN) Quark Cycling Team
3 Katrina Grove (USA) Rona
4 Erinne Willock (USA) Rona
5 Sandy Espeseth (CAN) Victory Brewing
6 Lynn Gaggioli (USA) T-Mobile
7 Kathryn Curi (USA) Rona
8 Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL) Colavita Olive Oil/Bolla Wines
9 Jeannie Longo (FRA) Nature Valley/Penn Cycle
10 Leah Goldstein (ISR) Verizon Wireless Wheelworks
Overall G.C.
1 Lyne Bessette (CAN) Quark Cycling Team
2 Katrina Grove (USA) Rona
3 Annette Beutler (USA) Leitzsport Cycling
4 Erinne Willock (USA) Rona
5 Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL) Colavita Olive Oil/Bolla Wines
6 Lynn Gaggioli (USA) T-Mobile
7 Sandy Espeseth (CAN) Victory Brewing
8 Jeannie Longo (FRA) Nature Valley/Penn Cycle
9 Kathryn Curi (USA) Rona
10 Leah Goldstein (ISR) Verizon Wireless Wheelworks