March 29, 2004 РLyne Bessette (Team Quark) successfully defended her yellow jersey and won the Redlands Bicycle Classic yesterday, beating RONA's Genevi̬ve Jeanson and Webcor's Christine Thorburn. This is Bessette's second win in this Southern Californian event Рshe also won the 1999 edition.

Yesterday's stage, a 99.5-kilometre race on a scenic and tough course in Redlands, was activated by Canadian Nicole Demars (Victory Brewing) right from the first climb. The peloton let her go, as she was down more than 28 minutes in general classification before the stage.  Her lead over the main field reached more than two minutes at one point, but American Susan Haywood (T-Mobile) launched a counter-attack and bridged to Demars with 5 kilometres to go.

Behind, the field was not preoccupied by this struggle for the stage.  Bessette focused on defending her yellow jersey. Still hurting after her Thursday post-stage crash, Jeanson didn't attack.  She focused her energy on defending her second spot in overall standings, and her red climber's jersey. But she could not respond to attacks by Canadian Sue Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba), who eventually scored enough points to win the red jersey for herself.

Demars finally beat Haywood and the pair crossed the line about 45 seconds before the peloton.

“I was fortunate that the peloton didn't race more aggressively today,” said a relieved Jeanson after the race.  “I wouldn't have been able to respond and I could have lost more than my red jersey.  This stupid crash may have lost me the race, I don't know. Still, I'm happy with my week; it was our first major race this year and the team's chemistry is good, the spirit is excellent.  I look forward to our next races.”

Canada's Charles Dionne took the final stage, with his team-mate Chris Horner (Webcor) taking the overall.

Stage 5:  Sunset Road Race

1. Nicole Demars (CAN, Victory Brewing)
2. Susan Haywood (USA, T-Mobile)
3. Tina Mayolo-Pic (USA, Genesis Scuba)


Final General Classification

1. Lyne Bessette (CAN) Quark, 12.23.59
2. Genevieve Jeanson (CAN) Rona, 0.54
3. Christine Thorburn (USA) Webcor, 1.33
4. Susan Palmer-Komar (CAN) Genesis Scuba/FFCC, 2.05
5. Kristin Armstrong (USA) T-Mobile, 2.15
6. Magali LeFloch (FRA) Quark, 5.49
7. Rhonda Quick (USA) Red 5 Racing, 6.01
8. Tina Pic (USA) Genesis Scuba/FFCC, 6.05
9. Amy Moore (CAN) Quark, 6.21
10. Kim Anderson (USA) T-Mobile, 6.52

Men:

1. Charles Dionne (CAN) Webcor Builders, 3.26.49
2. Alex Candelario (USA) Jelly Belly
3. Greg Henderson (NZL) Health Net/Maxxis
4. Ben Brooks (AUS) Jelly Belly
5. Trent Klasna (USA) Sierra Nevada
6. Erik Saunders (USA) Ofoto
7. Damon Kluck (USA) U.S. Postal Service
8. Jason Klikna (USA) Sierra Nevada
9. Doug Otterenshaw (USA) Jelly Belly
10. Tim Larkin (USA) Ofoto

G.C.
1. Chris Horner (USA) Webcor Builders, 15.05.35
2. Cesar Grajales (COL) Jittery Joe's Coffee, 1.49
3. Adam Bergman (USA) Jelly Belly, 3.53
4. John Lieswyn (USA) Health Net/Maxxis, 4.27
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL) U.S. Postal Service, 4.33
6. Liam Killeen (GBR) IMPSport, 4.50
7. Glen Mitchell (NZL) Sierra Nevada, 5.01
8. Tim Larkin (USA) Ofoto
9. Davide Frattini (ITA) Team Monex, 5.13
10. Daniel Rincon (COL) U.S. Postal Service, 5.27