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Race Results

Stage 1    Stage 2    Stage 3    Stage 4    Stage 5 

Karen Bockel fourth

MAYOLO-PIC TAKES THE LEAD AT THE NATURE VALLEY GRAND PRIX

American Tina Mayolo-Pic (Diet Rite) took the lead of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, a four-day, five-stage race which started today in Minnesota. Mayolo-Pic outsprinted New Zealand’s Sarah Ulmer (TDS) and Australian Katie MacTier (Saturn).  RONA/Esker’s German rider, Karen Bockel, finished fourth, in the same time as the leader.  

The stage was highlighted by a 14-strong breakaway launched 25 kilometres into the 98-km race.  The group included three RONA/Esker (Karen Bockel, Meshy Holt and Erinne Willock), three Saturns (Manon Jutras, Amy Moore and Katie MacTier), as well as Mayolo-Pic, Margaret Hemsley (Furburger), Dottie Cowden (T Mobile), Megan Long (Jamb Juice).  The gap quickly increased to more than one minute.  In a climb a few kilometres from the finish, Margaret Hemsley attacked and caused the group to split in two – eight at the front, including Mayolo-Pic, Ulmer, MacTier, Jutras, Bockel), and five chasing, including RONAS/Esker’s Holt and Willock).  Holt tried to bridge to the lead group, but didn’t quite make it. 

In the end Mayolo-Pic outsprinted her seven breakaway partners.  Meshy Holt finished 22 seconds later.  Groups overlapping during the last portion of the race, consisting of several laps on a short urban circuit, caused a lot of confusion.  Willock’s chase group was credited with a time 3’50’’ down the winner, while the main field (including names such as Lyne Bessette and Petra Rossner) was officially timed 5 minutes behind the leader. 

“The girls raced well today, and RONA/Esker now has two riders in a position to make the overall podium, and Erinne Willock has a chance at the Under-23 jersey”, said a happy Jim Williams, RONA/Esker’s assistant team manager.  

 Tomorrow, the riders will race a 9.6-km time trial in the morning, and a 40-minue criterium in the evening. 

First stage :  Hoyt Lakes - Virginia 

Stage Ranking (unofficial)

The race’s web site is at www.minnbikefestival.com

 Team RONA/Esker is one of only two Canadian women’s cycling teams in the Elite Category that are recognized by the International Cycling Union. The team is made up of four Canadian racers (Geneviève Jeanson, Andrea Hannos, Carrie Tuck and Erinne Willock), French racers Catherine Marsal and Magali Le Floc’h, New Zealander Melissa Holt, German Karen Bockel and American Kristen LaSasso. The team’s web site is at www.ronateam.ca.

 RONA is Canada’s leading hardware and home renovation retailer (www.rona.ca). Esker is a natural spring water from the north of Canada, sold in North America and Asia (www.eskerwater.com).

 The team also receives equipment and service sponsorships from many companies, including Colnago, Biemme, Shimano, Michelin, Mavic, Diadora, Limar, Selle Italia, ITM, Look, CatEye, Tacx, Finish Line, Cane Creek, Saris, Power Tap, Cycles Lambert and Club Médico-Sportif. 

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