May 20, 2006 – The Tri-Peaks Challenge got underway on Friday, May 19, under typically sunny skies in Russellville, Arkansas. Stage 1 was a 60-minute criterium for the men and a 45-minute criterium for the women won by Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United Pro) and Kate Bates (Nurnberger) respectively.

Stage 2 took place today with the 148 km Petite Jean Road Race and Canada’s Bruno Langlois (AEG/TOSHIBA/JetNetwork) and Leigh Hobsen (Victory Brewing) were the unofficial winners of the men’s and women’s races.

Sunday’s Stage 3 event is 135km road race that features a gruesome climb up Mt. Nebo that ends on an 18% grade.

Unofficial Results

Stage One

Men
1 Ivan Stevic (Toyota-United Pro)
2 Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United Pro)
3 Emile Abraham (AEG-TOSHIBA-JetNetwork)
4 Brice Jones (Jelly Belly)

Women
1 Kate Bates (Nurnberger)
2 Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing)

Stage 2

Unofficial Results

Men
1 Bruno Langlois (AEG/TOSHIBA/JetNetwork)
2 Tom Zirbel (Priority Health)
3 Frank Travieso (AEG/TOSHIBA/JetNetwork)

Women

1 Leigh Hobson (Victory Brewing)
2 Rachel Heal (Victory Brewing)
3 Sima Trapp (Colavita-Cooking Light)