Domaine Chandon, Yountville, California, USA, December 14-15, 2002

Main Page      Course Map    Results    Latest live report

Elite Women

Complete Live Report

13:00 PST    
Welcome to Yountville for the Elite Women's event of the US Cyclo-cross Nationals. Last year's national champion Alison Dunlap has decided to sit out this year's event, prompting an open race, even if her Clif Bar teammates Carmen d'Aluisio and Gina Hall are possible successors to the title.

Over 11 inches of rain have fallen this weekend, creating exceedingly wet and muddy conditions. Riders with the power to plow through the muck appear favored for today's Elite contests.

14:00 PST    
The Elite women are off! As the riders approach pit #1, it's Clif Bar taking the lead with Carmen d'Aluisio and Gina Hall in command from the start.

 14:04 PST    
Gina Hall is in the lead with Rachel Lloyd in second, heading through the 'pudding bowl'. Anne Grande has stumbled a bit and lost a few places. Carmen d'Aluisio is still up with the leaders. Grande is making it across to a leading group of five forming at the front.

14:08 PST    
The favorites are in command at the front, with Lloyd battling the Clif Bar duo of Carmen d'Aluisio and Gina Hall. Ann Grande is still present. Through the pits, Rachel Lloyd and Gina Hall are pushing the pace. Lloyd has overtaken Hall, Grande is now in 4th ahead of Mary McConneloug ahead of a slick runup. The leaders are not taking new bikes through pit #1. Give it time...

14:10 PST    
Carmen d'Aluisio and Mary McConneloug are working to keep pace with the leaders, Grande has just made contact with the front duo of Rachel Lloyd and Gina Hall. Into the pudding bowl again, Gina Hall is still on Lloyd's wheel, followed by Grande. McConneloug has passed d'Aluisio and these two are a few seconds behind the leading three.

14:14 PST    
The order at the front now is Grande, Hall, and Lloyd on their way around the vineyards. It's constant battle among the leaders, and Grande is mounting a serious challenge. Grande has won five SuperCup titles but never a national title.

14:17 PST    
Three riders off the front: Grande, Lloyd, Hall. Grande is out of the saddle giving it everything. Lloyd is hanging on, and Gina Hall is there. Carmen d'Aluisio and Mary McConneloug are still holding fourth and fifth spots.

14:19 PST    
The race is around the halfway point now and it's an all out battle. Carmen d'Aluisio and Mary McConneloug are about 40 seconds back from the first three. Grande is still powering up front and it's Rachel Lloyd may her most serious challenger at the moment as the leaders hit the tarmac section.

14:22 PST    
The crowds are huge in Napa, despite the torrential rain. The lead trio of Grande, Hall, and Lloyd have been trading time at the front with under 18 minutes left to race of the 40 minute race. Here comes Grande, with only Lloyd on her wheel. Gina Hall has been gapped and Lloyd is looking to be feeling the pain.

14:25 PST    
Carmen d'Aluisio and Mary McConneloug are still dueling in 4th and 5th positions. Ann Grande is tearing it up with a small gap ahead of Lloyd and Hall, riding in solo in third spot. The leaders are approaching the 3 laps to go mark. Mary McConneloug has just left d'Aluisio and is charging ahead in search of third place.

14:27 PST    
Lloyd is focused on catching Grande's wheel, but Grande is a force to be reckoned with. At pit #1 both Lloyd and Hall stumbled a bit while Grande went through without a hitch. Less than three laps to go for the leaders.

14:29 PST    
Grande has just given a look to Rachel Lloyd on the climb, powering away in search of her first national title. Lloyd is hanging tough, while Hall is scrambling to rejoin the leaders- and also keep her third place.

14:31 PST    
Grande has at least 15 seconds on second placed Lloyd! Gina Hall is climbing back into contention, with Lloyd in her sights. Into the pudding bowl, Grande is in control. Following next is Rachel Lloyd, with Gina Hall closing in.

14:33 PST    
Grande still has 15 seconds on Lloyd, who herself is 10 seconds ahead of Hall. Mary McConneloug comes through in 4th place, about a minute behind the leaders.

14:34 PST    
It's Grande's race to lose. She looks on track for her first national title, while Gina Hall has taken second position, dropping Rachel Lloyd. Melissa Thomas is challenging Carmen d'Aluisio for fifth place.

14:36 PST    
Through the vineyards, here comes Grande all alone. She puts a foot on the ground and loses a little momentum! Here comes Rachel Lloyd, back in second place ahead of third place Gina Hall. Mary McConneloug is in fourth, while Carmen d'Aluisio is still holding onto fifth spot.

14:38 PST    
With just one lap to go, Grande could do finally do it. Gina Hall is fighting for second place with Rachel Lloyd, who currently holds the advantage. Thomas has moved into 5th ahead of d'Aluisio.

14:40 PST    
Lloyd and Hall are nipping at Grande's heels, but they're not in contact yet. The soigneurs are being called to the finish area. Bring extra towels.

14:42 PST    
The Queen of the SuperCup, Ann Grande, is within one lap of victory at the national championships. She's on the pavement section. Lloyd and Hall are still dueling for second. Into the pudding bowl for the last time, Grande just needs to take it cleanly. She's done it!

Lloyd is in second but it's do or die with Hall right behind.

Ten seconds behind, Lloyd gets the silver, followed by Gina Hall who takes the bronze.

14:45 PST    
Mary McConneloug has come in for fourth place, while rounding out the top five it's Melissa Thomas, who managed to get the better of pre-race favorite Carmen d'Aluisio.