May 16, 2003 (Hackettstown, NJ) – The 3-day 3-stage Tour of Connecticut
began on Friday, May 16, with a 40-km criterium stage on a 4-corner
800-Meter course. In a unique format, the event was
conducted as two separate “heats” with the winner of the fastest heat being
awarded the Leader's Yellow Jersey.  With a maximum of 4 members from each
team in each heat, the Navigators squad was represented by Chris Baldwin,
Jeff Louder, Justin Spinelli and Ryan Guay in heat #1, while Vassili
Davidenko, Glen Mitchell, Mark Walters and Siro Camponogara competed in
heat #2.

The first heat started with many attacks and a fast pace.  It wasn't until
the half-way point was reached that a breakaway containing Navigators'
Chris Baldwin and Eric Wohlberg (Saturn) was able to stick.  Maintaining a
lead of 10-seconds, the duo had the peloton breathing down their backs as
they entered the final lap of the race.  Coming out of the final corner,
they were caught by the sprinters but Wohlberg was able to hold them off to
take the win.  Heat #2 started in similar fashion as the first, but after
only 25 of the 40-laps it was suddenly shortened to 2-laps-to-go due to a
dangerous condition with an ambulance on the course from an earlier
crash.  In the sprint it was Ivan Dominguez (Saturn) taking the win.  Due
to faster lap times, the winner of heat #1, Eric Wohlberg, was awarded the
Leader's Jersey for Saturday's road stage. The action picks up in the town
of Waterbury for a 100-Km hilly, demanding circuit race.

Stage 1 Results (Unofficial):
1) Eric Wohlberg
2) Everyone else