Stage 2 – 7 March 2003 – Fontana Circuit Race 2.9 mile loop – 90 minute timed event

After yesterday’s upward battle, today was a day for the sprinters.  The Pro women’s field set off for a 90 minute timed event around the Sierra Lakes Housing development estate.  The 2.5 mile loop gently curved along the northern border of the housing development’s golf course before doubling back and taking in a long, 1 mile finishing straight.  There was a very gradual 300m climb at the far end of the course which provided a lot of leg pain after 90 minutes.  The course was windy with a cross headwind in the home straight.

I had good legs today and was keen to try and get a break happening.  I jumped into an early move with Jessica Phillips (Saturn) and two T Mobile girls but we only lasted a couple of laps.

A quick counterattack caused a decisive 2 rider break to form with Katrina Grove (T-Mobile) and Laura Van Gilder (Saturn).  However, with the Rona/Esker team of GC leader Genevieve Jeanson set a solid tempo on the front and the duo never gained more than 16 seconds on the peloton.  The break was eventually absorbed and the major sprinters got themselves organised for a field sprint.

It was a long 1km sprint and I came home 10^th, with Genevieve Jeanson (Rona/Esker) taking stage honours and thus easily retaining her leaders jersey.  It was a really fast race where we averaged 25 miles/hr (40km/hr) and rode 38 miles (60km) in 90 minutes.

Joan and Shawn both finished in the main bunch in 32^nd and 44^th place, whilst Emily who is recovering well from a nasty crash that forced her off the bike in February, finished in 58^th position.  In the General Classification Joan moved into 18^th place while I shifted to 22^nd.