May 3, 2006 — Stage 1: Tyrone Individual Time Trial 16.15 miles. Wind and hills greeted the riders today in the first stage of the 20th annual Tour of the Gila. It was the typical high desert climate, warm, windy, sunny and dry, and the competitors had to also survive the 6,000 feet elevation of Silver City, NM. Right from the start the course climbed for 4.4 miles with gradients ranging from 2-5%, then there were two more good rolling hills before the turn around in which the out-n-back course had the cyclists climb back over the descents they had done to finally plunge back down the 4.4 miles to the finish. With a head wind for the uphill on the way out, the last miles were tailwind, downhill and speeds were in excess of 70kmh.

It was a race where gearing was critical, with small ring climbs and fast and furious descents. The riders were sent off in 30 second intervals with the start order determined alphabetically. This put 2005 World’s bronze medalist Kristen Armstrong of Team Lipton as one of the first riders to race, and she set the fastest time to beat early on as she came across the line in 40:53. Her time looked to be the one that might stand until Anne Samplonius of Team Biovail came blistering across the finish in 40:33, 20 seconds faster then Armstrong. No one else would come under 41 minutes, and Erin Willock (Webcor Platinum) rounded out the top 3 with a time of 41:26.

So, Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail) takes the pink leaders jersey into stage 2, a 71.5 mile point to point race ending on a 6.7 mile climb.


French Version
Tour of the Gila, Silver City, NM

Aujourd’hui commence la 20e édition du Tour de Gila au Nouveau-Mexique qui se déroulera du 3 au 7 mai. Le tour de Gila se compose de 5 étapes : un contre-la-montre, trois courses sur route et un critérium. En début d’après-midi, les cinq filles composant pour ce Tour l’équipe Biovail (Anne Samplonius, Joelle Numainville, Jennifer Stephenson, Stéphanie Bourbeau et Gabriella Gonzales) ont effectué la première des étapes : un contre-la-montre très sélectif de 26 km. Le contre-la-montre comportait trois montées dont une au tout début du parcours (7km avec une inclinaison moyenne de 5%) obligeant les coureuses a trouver rapidement la bonne cadence. Le soleil et le vent étaient au rendez-vous. De plus, une altitude d’environ 6000 pieds ajoutait un obstacle aux coureuses. Anne qui était une des favorite pour cette épreuve a pris le premier rang avec 20 secondes d’avance sur Kristen Armstrong de l’équipe Lipton. L’équipe Biovail détient donc le maillot jaune ( qui est rose pour ce tour!!!) et devra le défendre au cours desprochains jours. Demain sera une étape de montagne ou les coureuses devront démontrer beaucoup d’audace et d’entraide afin de conserver leur première position au classement général.

Stage 1 Results – Tyrone Individual Time Trial 16.15 miles

Women Pro 1,2,3

1 Anne Samplonius (Team Biovail) 40.33
2 Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) 0.20
3 Erinne Willock (Webcor Platinum) 0.53
4 Jessica Phillips (Argon 18/Champion) 1.27
5 Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing) 1.48
6 Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) 1.49
7 Dotsie Bausch (Colavita Cooking L) 1.58
8 Suz Weldon (TRIA) 2.12
9 Betina Hold (Webcor Platinum) 2.15
10 Kristin Sanders (Cheerwine) 2.16

19 Leigh Hobson (Victory Brewing) 3.31
34 Stephanie Bourbeau (Team Biovail)
36 Kirsten Robbins (Victory Brewing) 4.54
45 Jennifer Stephenson (Team Biovail) 5.42
62 Moriah MacGregor (TRIA) 8.06
67 Joelle Numainville (Team Biovail) 9.47

Men

1 Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United Pro) 34.52
2 Scott Moninger (Health Net-Maxxis) 0.40
3 Burke Swindlehurst (Navigators) 1.21
4 Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis) 1.32
5 Scott Nydam (Rio Grande/Sports) 1.40
6 Phil Zajicke (Navigators) 1.45
7 Chris Wherry (Toyota-United Pro) 1.48
8 Chris Stockburger (Toyota-United Pro) 1.50
9 Anthony Colby (TargetTraining) 2.14
10 Ian McKissick (Recycled Cycles/Ra) 2.20

35 Dominique Perras (KodakGallery.com/S) 3.58