April 5, 2003 (Redlands, CA) – The fifth day of racing at the Redlands
Bicycle Classic gave a respite to those tired from the climbing stages and
an opportunity for a stage win for the sprinters. The downtown criterium
had excellent crowd support despite the chilly temperatures and the racers
did not fail to please with high speeds and countless attacks in both the
men's and the women's races. With the women's race title all but complete
for Genevieve Jeanson, it was time for the Ina Teutenberg to once again
step forward to hit another victory out of the park. The men's race also
had the lead all but sewn up – Nathan O'Neill might not necessarily win,
but it looks certain to be a Saturn rider at this point in the game. And
perhaps not planned, the race leader's yellow jersey once again changed
hands in the Saturn Team with Chris Horner edging O'Neill slightly in the
lead.

The women's race was hotly contested with attacks coming from all teams.
T-Mobile, Saturn, Victory Brewing and the Trek women's team all sent
riders up the road, keeping the pace fast and furious. However, nothing
was to stick until two laps to go when Saturn's Teutenberg took a flier
and only Catherine Marsal (Rona/Eskar) was able to stay with her. The two
immediately began to work and held off a hard chasing Diet Rite Team by
only a few seconds. It was Teutenberg by meters over Marsal. Tina Mayolo
Pic took the field sprint for third.

The men's race saw the Saturn Team controlling the front with all eight
taking turns to keep the speed high. A few of the brave tried to attack
the wall of yellow and black, but the team was relentless in their speed,
and all attacks were negated almost immediately. In the final laps it was
Saturn picking up the speed and stretching the field single file into the
final corner, where defending champion of the 2002 Redlands Criterium,
Charles Dionne, opened up a five bike gap on Gord Fraser (Health Net) and
Migel Meza (Schroeder Iron). Dionne held his gap for his first win in
Saturn colors; Fraser was second with Meza in third. The overall saw a
slight change with Horner moving into Yellow, O'Neill slipping into second,
and Tom Danielson in third.

Tomorrow's sunset circuit race should see the strong climbers again come
to the fore. With lots of climbing every lap, there is plenty of
opportunity for both Jeanson and Horner to protect their lead.

Men
1. Charles Dionne (Saturn)
2. Gord Fraser (Health Net)
3. Migel Meza (Schroeder Iron)

Women
1. Ina Teutenberg (Saturn)
2. Catherine Marsal (Rona)
3. Tina Mayolo Pic (Diet Rite)