May 1, 2003 – The second stage of the Tour of the Gila took the riders out of Silver City into the mountains of the Gila Park. Looking impenetrable in the distance, the climb up to Mogollon Pass stood, austere, 110k from the start. With over 2100 feet of climbing in the last 10 kilometers, and grades of 14%, the strongest climbers were quick to come to the fore, and at the top it was Genevieve Jeanson (RONA/Esker) furthering her lead on her nearest competitor.

The race began at a leisurely pace with the women taking time to work off the chill of the morning. Saturn's Ina Teutenberg animated the race for the first 60K in a solo break before she was lead astray with the motor taking a wrong turn. Once everyone realized the mistake a brief reorganization saw Teutenberg back off the front by herself. Teutenberg's teammate Megan Elliott bridged up to her to join in the fun, however, the Rona team would have none of that and brought the two Saturn riders back to the fold.

Through the feed zone, the peloton was compact at mile 48.5. However, on the approach into the climb, the two strongest women in the race splintered off the front, with Jeanson pushing the pace and second place Manon Jutras (Saturn) sitting tucked on her wheel, patiently waiting for the final climb.

An unfortunate crash in the town of Glenwood split the remainder of the field, however, most of the competitors were up and back on their bikes without any severe causality. Up the road, Jeanson set the pace ahead of Jutras, continuing to put more leverage on the pedals and forcing the speed higher. Jutras was able to respond, and the two had 1:30 on the field at the base of the climb.

At the 3K to go mark, Jutras lost contact with Jeanson, and no matter how hard she fought and how deep she dug, the Saturn rider could not come to terms with her fellow Canadian. Jeanson finished solo for another strong win over Jutras. Over a minute later was Katrina Grove for third, who finished over a minute up on Leah Goldstein (Victory/Amoroso's). Her strong ride moved her into third in the overall.

Tomorrow is yet another hilly race through the Mimbres valley. With plenty more elevation gain, the overall classification should see more time gained by Jeanson and Jutras.

Stage 2: Silver City to Mogollon Pass, 148k

Men 1. Drew Miller /Trek/VW All-Stars 3:50:58 2. Michael Sayers /HealthNet at 0:33 3. Ubaldo Mesa Estepa /Tecos 0:47

Overall: 1. Drew Miller /Trek/VW All-Stars 4:27:40 2. Michael Sayers /HealthNet at 0:39 3. Ubaldo Mesa Estepa /Tecos 1:19

Women 1. Genevieve Jeanson /Rona Esker 3:27:24 2. Manon Jutras /Saturn Cycling Team 2:26 3. Katrina Grove /T-Mobile 3:53

Overall: 1. Genevieve Jeanson /Rona Esker 4:07:12 2. Manon Jutras /Saturn Cycling Team at 3:57 3. Katrina Grove /T-Mobile 6:31