August 17, 2003 (Downers Grove, IL) – The US PRO Criterium Championship weekend kicked off on Saturday, August 16th in Downers Grove with a Pro/Am race for the men and the International Challenge for the women. Held on the same course, this shortened version of Sunday's Championships gives the riders a chance to preview the course and, of course, thrill the fans who wait all year for this event.

181 men turned out to contest the 50 kilometer race boasting a prize list of $5,000 US. All the Pro Teams had good, strong numbers, save for Prime Alliance who choose to sit out Saturday's race in preparation for Sunday's big event.

 Despite attacks from the strongest teams, the only break to stick was a break containing most notably, Saturn's Chris Horner, Navigators Cairan Power, Chris Pik (7-UP), New Zealander Gordon McCauley (Schroeder Iron). The break never really worked well together and gained a maximum of 27 seconds before the Jelly Belly squad dialed up the speed and within five laps brought the field within striking range. The 7-UP Team finished off the job and with six laps to go a field sprint was inevitable. As the lead-outs began, Horner turned on the heat, matching the Navigator Team effort for effort. In the final corner it was Vasilli Davidenko and Marty Nothstein coming out with a gap over Saturn's Ivan Dominguez. In the end, Davidenko took the win, with Nothstein a close second. Dominguez rounded out the top three.

The women's race began with some attacks which did nothing more than string out the field and keep the stronger women at the front. The forty minutes ticked by until five laps to go remained and the teams got organized for the final field sprint. In the last corner it was Nicole Freedman (Basis) over Saturn's Laura Van Gilder in second and Sarah Uhl in third. Sunday's 50 kilometer field may see more of a shake up as the heat and longer distance could make the Championship race one of attrition.

Meanwhile on the East Coast, Saturn's Tom Danielson battled severe headwinds to defend his 2002 Mount Washington Title.  Danielson won the 7.6 mile event with a time of 51:05, off his record from last year, proving that is takes fifty mile per hour winds to slow down the fresh young Saturn rider. Danielson bested his nearest competitor by four minutes, and despite not breaking his record was pleased with his ride. He proudly showed his custom equipped LeMond 14-pound Tete de Course to the OLN film crew. The carbon fiber/titanium bike was the brain child and hard work of the Saturn mechanics, who had been preparing for some time for Danielson's assault on Mount Washington.

Danielson will certainly be cheering for his Saturn Team from his home in Colorado Sunday when they look to capture another Pro Championship in the 2003 season.

Results – Men's Pro/Am:

1. Vascilli Davidenko – Navigators
2. Marty Nothstein – Navigators
3. Ivan Dominguez – Saturn

Women:
1. Nicole Freedman – Basis
2. Laura Van Gilder – Saturn
3. Sarah Uhl – Saturn

Mount Washington Hill Climb

Men
1. Tom Danielson, Saturn, 7.6mi in 51:05
2. Phillip Wong, ECV, 55:23
3. Andrew Knight, 1:01:40

Women
1. Geneviéve Jeanson, Rona-Esker, 55:23
2. Allison Lusby, 1:05:04
3. Kristin Johnson, T-Mobile, 1:11:15