Stage 5            Sunset Road Race                   100km

Today’s stage, a 100km race on a scenic and tough course in Redlands, was activated by Canadian Nicole Demars (Victory Brewing) right from the first climb.  RONA was happy to let her go, as she was down more than 28 minutes in general classification before the stage.  Her lead over the main field reached more than 2 minutes, however American Susan Haywood (T-Mobile) launched a counter-attack and bridged to Demars with 5 kilometres to go.

We would have loved for Gen to ride up the road, gain that minute back over Bessette and win the tour however, with Gen still hurting after her Thursday post-stage crash we had to lower our sights to defending her second spot in overall standings, and her red climber’s jersey.  Unfortunately, Gen could not match the attacks by Canadian Sue Palmer Komar (Genesis Scuba), who eventually scored enough points to win the red jersey for herself.  I attempted to take the points also, thus preventing Palmer Komar from collecting further points, however my legs could not match the strength of the strong Genesis climber.

With a much needed coke handed to me in the feedzone on lap 7, I survived on sugar to get me through the final lap.  The pace was furious as the peloton headed towards the finish.  Demars beat Haywood to the line only 15 seconds ahead of the peloton.  I stayed close by Gen to keep her out of trouble during the closing stages.  Team mate Katrina mingled amongst the sprinters to take 9^th.

Lyne Bessette (Team Quark) successfully defended her yellow jersey and won the Redlands Bicycle Classic today, with Gen finishing 2^nd and Webcor’s Christine Thorburn coming in 3^rd.

Final General Classification

1	Lyne Bessette (CAN, Quark)	12h 23’ 59’’
2	Geneviève Jeanson (CAN, RONA)	54’’
12	Katheryn Curi (USA, RONA)	7’ 31’’
14	Katrina Grove (USA, RONA)	7’ 39’’
46	Helen Kelly (AUS, RONA)	31’ 06’’
62	Andrea Hannos (CAN, RONA)	45’ 38’’
66	Anna Milkowski (USA, RONA)	47’ 10’’

I am now looking forward to flying to Europe for the Trofeo Banca Popolare Alto Adige, in the Bolzano region of Northern Italy (April 16-18), and the Flèche Wallonne World Cup in Belgium (April 21).

Until then happy pedaling.