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Women's Tour de Snowy

Australia, February 28-March 4, 1999

Stage 2, Talbingo - Talbingo dam, 8.4 kms:

   1. Mari Holden (USA) Lithuania                              15.53 (31.73 km/h)
   2. Yvonne McGregor (GB) Great Britain                        0.29
   3. Karen Kurreck (USA) World Team                            0.45
   4. Lenka Ilavska (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic               0.47
   5. Anna Wilson (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                          0.59
   6. Elizabeth Emery (USA) World Team                          1.01
   7. Sarah Symington (GB) Great Britain                        1.03
   8. Suzy Pryde (NZ) New Zealand                               1.08
   9. Erica Green (RSA) South Africa                            1.11
  10. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                 1.13
  11. Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor) Norway                              1.16
  12. Sara Saarelainen (Fin) World Team                         1.22
  13. Kathy Watt (Aus) World Team                               1.25
  14. Leigh Hobson (Can) World Team                             1.26
  15. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                   1.30
  16. Sara Carrigan (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport           1.32
  17. Jorunn Kvalo (Nor) Norway                                 1.44
  18. Chantal Beltman (Ned) Netherlands                         1.51
  19. Michelle Ward (GB) Great Britain                          1.53
  20. Emma James (Aus) Juice Plus                               1.53
  21. Arenda Grimberg (Ned) Netherlands                         1.56
  22. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) Netherlands                         1.56
  23. Alison Wright (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                  1.58
  24. Jacinta Coleman (NZ) New Zealand                          1.59
  25. Mary Grigson (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                   1.59
  26. Ragnhilo Uostol (Nor) Norway                              2.05
  27. Megan Hughes (GB) Great Britain                           2.08
  28. Ceris Gilfillan (GB) Great Britain                        2.11
  29. Margaret Hemsley (Aus) Juice Plus                         2.12
  30. Solrun Flataas (Nor) Norway                               2.12
  31. Sandra Rombouts (Ned) Netherlands                         2.19
  32. Ruth Ellway (GB) Great Britain                            2.20
  33. Elizabeth Tadich (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                     2.20
  34. Juanita Feldhahn (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport        2.21
  35. Angela Hillenga (Ned) Netherlands                         2.25
  36. Anriette Schoeman (RSA) South Africa                      2.32
  37. Natalie Bates (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                  2.36
  38. Jacquelin Brabanetz (Ger) Nürnberger-Emmi Team            2.38
  39. Naiomi Williams (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                      2.38
  40. Sonja Van Kuik (Ned) Netherlands                          2.38
  41. Kristy Scrymgeour (Aus) Juice Plus                        2.38
  42. Jodie Brewer (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                   2.42
  43. Melanie Szubrycht (GB) Great Britain                      2.45
  44. Symeko Jochinke (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                      2.49
  45. Elisabeth Chevanne-Brunel (Fra) World Team                2.51
  46. Kim Sherley (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport             2.54
  47. Kerstin Scheitle (Ger) Nürnberger-Emmi Team               2.56
  48. Annelize Stander (RSA) South Africa                       2.58
  49. Marguerite Ritchie (NZ) New Zealand                       3.00
  50. Rosalind Reekie-May (NZ) New Zealand                      3.02
  51. Avril Swan (Aus) Juice Plus                               3.02
  52. Sally Smalley (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                        3.05
  53. Julie Hooper (Aus) Interstate Team                        3.06
  54. Vanessa Cheatley (NZ) New Zealand                         3.11
  55. Joanne McCrae (GB) Great Britain                          3.12
  56. Karen Sumpton (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport           3.12
  57. Zita Urbonaite (Lit) Lithuania                            3.16
  58. Penny Smithers (Aus) Herald Sun                           3.20
  59. Miyoko Karami (Jap) Japan-Gios                            3.21
  60. Geraldine Denham (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                     3.23
  61. Nadia Frischknecht (Aus) Juice Plus                       3.26
  62. Ragnhilo Uostol (Nor) Norway                              3.31
  63. Erika Vilunaite (Lit) Lithuania                           3.33
  64. Anne Samplonius (Can) World Team                          3.39
  65. Phillipa Hendren (Aus) Interstate Team                    3.40
  66. Silvia Zoller (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                  3.41
  67. Rita Narbutyte (Lit) Lithuania                            3.42
  68. Elfie Kunz (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                     3.46
  69. Angela Hunter (GB) Great Britain                          3.50
  70. Liza Serfontein (RSA) South Africa                        3.56
  71. Chantelle Robertson (Aus) Juice Plus                      3.58
  72. Alena Barillova (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic             3.59
  73. Kim Howard (Aus) Herald Sun                               3.59
  74. Victoria Kirkby (Aus) Interstate Team                     4.03
  75. Rebecca Bishop (GB) GS Mazza-Tege                         4.20
  76. Lisa Robinson (Aus) Individual Entry                      4.24
  77. Cherie Pridham (GB) GS Mazza-Tege                         4.25
  78. Jurgita Masillunaite (Lit) Lithuania                      4.27
  79. Hanneke Geysen (Aus) Herald Sun                           4.33
  80. Gillian Govan (GB) Great Britain                          4.35
  81. Sanae Nagano (Jap) Japan-Gios                             4.52
  82. Lillian Bannwart (Swi) GS Mazza-Tege                      4.53
  83. Alexandra Rutz (Swi) GS Mazza-Tege                        4.58
  84. Jennifer Manefield (Aus) Interstate Team                  5.34
  85. Marie Hostasova (Cze) Slovakia/Czech Republic             5.41
  86. Carine Peter (Fra) World Team                             5.42
  87. Janette Bohmova (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic             6.24
  88. Midori Kotani (Jap) Japan-Gios                            7.17
  89. Loretta Mabin (Aus) Herald Sun                            7.18

Did not finish:

Andrea Hanni (Swi) GS Mazza-Tege

GC after Stage 2 

   1. Mari Holden (USA) Lithuania                            1.29.53
   2. Yvonne McGregor (GB) Great Britain                        0.48
   3. Karen Kurreck (USA) World Team                            1.04
   4. Lenka Ilavska (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic               1.05
   5. Anna Wilson (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                          1.15
   6. Susy Pryde (NZ) New Zealand                               1.17
   7. Elizabeth Emery (USA) World Team                          1.20
   8. Sarah Symington (GB) Great Britain                        1.22
   9. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                 1.26
  10. Erica Green (RSA) South Africa                            1.30
  11. Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor) Norway                              1.35
  12. Sara Saarelainen (Fin) World Team                         1.41
  13. Kathy Watt (Aus) World Team                               1.44
  14. Leigh Hobson (Can) World Team                             1.45
  15. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                   1.49
  16. Sara Carrigan (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport           1.51
  17. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) Netherlands                         1.55
  18. Jorunn Kvalo (Nor) Norway                                 2.03
  19. Chantal Beltman (Ned) Netherlands                         2.10
  20. Michelle Ward (GB) Great Britain                          2.12
  21. Emma James (Aus) Juice Plus                               2.12
  22. Arenda Grimberg (Ned) Netherlands                         2.15
  23. Alison Wright (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                  2.17
  24. Jacinta Coleman (NZ) New Zealand                          2.18
  25. Mary Grigson (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                   2.18
  26. Wenche Stensvold (Nor) Norway                             2.24
  27. Megan Hughes (GB) Great Britain                           2.24
  28. Ceris Gilfillan (GB) Great Britain                        2.27
  29. Margaret Hemsley (Aus) Juice Plus                         2.30
  30. Solrun Flataas (Nor) Norway                               2.31
  31. Sandra Rombouts (Ned) Netherlands                         2.31
  32. Ruth Ellway (GB) Great Britain                            2.38
  33. Elizabeth Tadich (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                     2.39
  34. Juanita Feldhahn (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport        2.39
  35. Angela Hillenga (Ned) Netherlands                         2.40
  36. Anriette Schoeman (RSA) South Africa                      2.42
  37. Jacquelin Brabanetz (Ger) Nürnberger-Emmi Team            2.55
  38. Naiomi Williams (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                      2.57
  39. Sonja Van Kuik (Ned) Netherlands                          2.57
  40. Kristy Scrymgeour (Aus) Juice Plus                        2.57
  41. Melanie Szubrycht (GB) Great Britain                      3.04
  42. Kim Sherley (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport             3.13
  43. Kerstin Scheitle (Ger) Nürnberger-Emmi Team               3.15
  44. Rosalind Reekie-May (NZ) New Zealand                      3.21
  45. Vanessa Cheatley (NZ) New Zealand                         3.30
  46. Karen Sumpton (Aus) Queensland Academy of Sport           3.31
  47. Zita Urbonaite (Lit) Lithuania                            3.35
  48. Margaret Hemsley (Aus) Juice Plus                         3.49
  49. Erika Vilunaite (Lit) Lithuania                           3.52
  50. Silvia Zoller (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                  3.55
  51. Elfie Kunz (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                     4.05
  52. Natalie Bates (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                  6.37
  53. Jodie Brewer (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                   6.47
  54. Elisabeth Chevanne-Brunel (Fra) World Team                6.56
  55. Annelize Stander (RSA) South Africa                       7.03
  56. Marguerite Ritchie (NZ) New Zealand                       7.05
  57. Avril Swan (Aus) Juice Plus                               7.07
  58. Sally Smalley (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                        7.10
  59. Julie Hooper (Aus) Interstate Team                        7.11
  60. Penny Smithers (Aus) Herald Sun                           7.25
  61. Miyoko Karami (Jap) Japan-Gios                            7.26
  62. Geraldine Denham (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                     7.28
  63. Nadia Frischknecht (Aus) Juice Plus                       7.31
  64. Ragnhilo Uostol (Nor) Norway                              7.36
  65. Anne Samplonius (Can) World Team                          7.44
  66. Phillipa Hendren (Aus) Interstate Team                    7.45
  67. Rita Narbutyte (Lit) Lithuania                            7.47
  68. Angela Hunter (GB) Great Britain                          7.55
  69. Liza Serfontein (RSA) South Africa                        8.01
  70. Chantelle Robertson (Aus) Juice Plus                      8.03
  71. Alena Barillova (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic             8.04
  72. Cherie Pridham (GB) GS Mazza-Tege                         8.30
  73. Hanneke Geysen (Aus) Herald Sun                           8.38
  74. Symeko Jochinke (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                     10.35
  75. Kim Howard (Aus) Herald Sun                              11.45
  76. Victoria Kirkby (Aus) Interstate Team                    11.49
  77. Lisa Robinson (Aus) Individual Entry                     12.10
  78. Lillian Bannwart (Swi) GS Mazza-Tege                     12.39
  79. Rebecca Bishop (GB) GS Mazza-Tege                        15.00
  80. Jurgita Masillunaite (Lit) Lithuania                     15.01
  81. Gillian Govan (GB) Great Britain                         15.09
  82. Sanae Nagano (Jap) Japan-Gios                            15.26
  83. Jennifer Manefield (Aus) Interstate Team                 16.08
  84. Alexandra Rutz (Swi) GS Mazza-Tege                       18.54
  85. Marie Hostasova (Cze) Slovakia/Czech Republic            19.37
  86. Carine Peter (Fra) World Team                            19.38
  87. Janette Bohmova (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic            20.20
  88. Midori Kotani (Jap) Japan-Gios                           21.13
  89. Loretta Mabin (Aus) Herald Sun                           21.14

Points Championship:

   1. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) Netherlands                            5
   2. Mari Holden (USA) Lithuania                                  3
   3. Susy Pryde (NZ) New Zealand                                  2
   4. Silvia Zoller (Swi) Nürnberger-Emmi Team                     1

Mountains Championship:

   1. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) ACT Academy of Sport                    6
   2. Mari Holden (USA) Lithuania                                  4
   3. Anna Wilson (Aus) Jayco-VIS Team                             3
   4. Anriette Schoeman (RSA) South Africa                         2
   5. Lenka Ilavska (Svk) Slovakia/Czech Republic                  1

Stage 2 Report

US National road champion Mari Holden led the Tour de Snowy after day one with an impressive showing in the the afternoon 8.4 kms ITT. This was the second stage of the day and followed the 42 kms stage which climbed the whole way up the mountains from Tumut to Talbingo. This was won by Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers in 1.14.19 from Holden.

The reign by Melchers in the leader's blue jersey was probably one of the shortest ever. Around 2 hours later, Mari Holden took it from her with a sizzling time in the hardest ITT imaginable. Her time of 15.23 was 0.29 faster than Britain's Yvonne McGregor with another US rider Karen Kurreck coming third at 1.15.

Australia's hope in the ITT was Kathy Watt but she sustained a flat tyre after only a km or so and she struggled to pull back time. Her margin of 1.43 was, however, considered a great effort under the circumstances.

Holden told the press afterwards: "It was a very hard time trial. I was surprised at the time. I didn't know it was a climbing time trial and I had to change the gears on my bike at the last minute. It's nice to be in the lead, I'm going to take it one day at a time, try things out and test things. I'm wanting to see what my form is, going into the world cup. It's a nice way to start this race."

Stage 2 Report by Karen Kurreck

Less than 1 1/2 hrs. after the morning stage, we had an 8.5km TT. It was not your average TT though. The first 4.5km were flat but then there was about 3.5km of steep climbing and the last 500m were flat. For anyone who did the race last year, we rode up to the dam wall where one of the stages finished last year. I rode the course right after the morning stage and decided not to use my TT bike. The finish was at the top of a dam on a big lake, and many of us jumped in the water after we finished the TT. I know it's hard to believe for those of you who are still in the cold, but it felt wonderful!