September 23, 2006 (Salzburg, Austria) — The Elite Women’s race has just started (2:30 am local time, 8:30 am EDT) with 136 riders. The women will complete 132.6 kms – 6 laps, 22.2 km/lap. Canada has 6 riders competing – Alex Wrubleski (SK), Sue Palmer-Komar (ON), Anne Samplonius (QC), Erinne Willock (BC), Amy Moore (ON) and Leigh Hobson (ON).

Lap 1

A small break of 5 riders lead by Canada’s Anne Samplonius got away for a short time, about 2-3 kms but were reeled in by the pack near the end of the lap – the time for Lap 1 was 33.14.

Lap 2

The pack is together as they head into the second lap and continue in a group as they reach the first climb.

We’ve learned that Canada’s Alex Wrubleski had some difficulties on the first lap with a flat tire.

A short-lived break of 3 riders gained a 5-sec gap lead by Fabiana Luperini (Italy) but has been reeled in by the pack about 2/3 of the way through the second lap.

The leaders extended their gap to 55 sec. but it has now dropped to 35 sec.

Lap time was 33:35

Lap 3

Canada’s Anne Samplonius has gained a 10-second lead with Natalia Boyarskaya (Russia) at the end of Lap 2 and head into the third lap.

Samplonius and Boyarskaya have extended their lead to 21 seconds. Canada’s Sue Palmer-Komar, Erinne Willock and Alex Wrubleski are in the pack, while fellow Canucks Amy Moore and Leigh Hobson are in a group of 15 riders at 1:20 behind the peloton.

The leaders had extended the gap to 55 sec. but it has now dropped to 35 sec – Switzerland is leading the chase behind.

Samplonius looks very strong, more than Boyarskaya – the Swiss and the Germans are leading the chase as Lap 3 is almost completed.

Lap time 33:56

Lap 4

At the start of the fourth lap – the 1/2 way mark – Canada’s Samplonius and Russia’s Boyarskaya have a 34-second lead as the pack continues to chase.

Canada’s Sue Palmer-Komar was at the back of the chase group as only 94 riders remain from the 136 starters.

Monica Holler (Sweden) has taken off and is trying to bridge to the leaders. She’s been reeled in – the leaders still have 34 seconds. Canada’s Samplonius is doing most of the work.

They’ve finished the second major climb and are heading back to the start finish – Samplonius and Boyarskaya are holding on to a 30-sec lead.

Lap time was 34:29

Lap 5

As the fifth lap begins and the riders come thru the start-finish Samplonius and Boyarskaya have been caught and now Vera Carrara (Italy) has taken a 5-second lead.

Carrara has been caught and the pack is together again. Canada’s Palmer-Komar is still near the back and Amy Moore has DNF’d.

As they approach the first climb Tetyana Stiajkina (Ukraine) has jumped to the front with a 5-sec lead.

There is a new leader as the riders just finish the second climb – Zulfiya Zabirova (Kazakhstan) has a 15-second gap but she is being chased down by Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) and two other riders.

Zabirova is caught and the pack has come together again. Now a group of 15-20 riders including Judith Arndt (Germany) and some Austrian riders is trying to get away as they head back to the start finish to begin the final lap.

With 1.5 kms before the final lap the leaders include:

– Judith Arndt (Germany)
– Theresa Senff (Germany)
– Trixi Worrack (Germany)
– Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
– Oenone Wood (Australia)
– Chantal Beltman (Netherlands)
– Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
– Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
– Annette Beutler (Switzerland)
– Nicole Brändli (Switzerland)
– Priska Doppmann (Switzerland)
– Amber Neben (USA)
– Svetlana Bubnenkova-Stolbova (Russia)
– Andrea Graus (Austria)
– Christine Soeder (Austria)

Lap time was 32.19 – the pace is picking up.

Lap 6 Final

As we begin the final lap the 15 leaders have a 1-minute lead over the pack which includes Canada’s Alex Wrubleski and Erinne Willock.

A second chase group is at 1:53 which includes Canada’s Palmer-Komar.

No change as the riders approach the first climb. Every attack is being chased down quickly – the Germans are at the front but last year’s winner Regina Schleicher is not with the lead group of 15. Switzerland’s Doppmann tries to get away but is chased down.

The riders have hit the second climb.

Over the second climb 3 riders have taken the lead – Nicole Cooke (Great Britain), Marianne Vos (Netherlands) and Nicole Brändli (Switzerland). The remaining 12 riders are trying to chase them down but the three are working well together.

The leaders have been caught – lots of attacks especially by the Swiss riders but all are being checked as the riders come into the final section of the last lap.

1 km to go…

Marianne Vos (Netherlands) has won.

Unofficial

1 Marianne Vos (Netherlands) 3.20.26
2 Trixi Worrack (Germany)
3 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
4 Noemi Cantele (Italy)

23. Alex Wrubleski (Canada)
37. Erinne Willock (Canada)
53. Anne Samplonius (Canada)
75. Susan Palmer-Komar (Canada)
90. Leigh Hobson (Canada)
DNF Amy Moore (Canada)