Grande Boucle Feminine - 2.9.1

France, August 6-20, 2000

Stage 1a - August 6: Milan, 7 km TTT

A bleak Sunday morning by Italian standards, and the prologue of the "Women's Tour de France", right in the middle of downtown Milan. Continual rain had all teams airing on the cautious side of equipment and tyre selection, and the significance this stage may, or may not, have on the final result in Paris on August 20.

Holland, Germany and the strong Italian contingents were going to push their limits for the first opportunity of the Yellow jersey. Jean-Paul Van Poppel's Orange-clad Dutch national team took out stage one of LGBF in on the slippery, cobbled course in Milan. Mirjam Melchers led the way, with Chantal Beltman,Ghita Beltman, Arenda Grimbergen, Angela Hillenga, Mirella van Melis and Marielle van Scheppingen in a time of 8 minutes 57 seconds (46.9 km/h). This afternoon, the riders will race 120 kilometres from Milan to Varazze, with Melchers taking the first leader's jersey.

Results

1 Netherlands National Team         8.57.3
2 German National Team              0.11
3 Acca Due O Lorena                 0.21
4 Gas Sport Team                    0.21
5 Team Alfa Lum R.S.M.              0.21
6 Vlandeeren 2002                   0.39
7 Master Team Carpe Diem            0.39
8 French National Team              0.42
9 GS Edil Savino                    0.45
10 Inter-Europe                     0.45
11 US National Team                 0.48
12 SC Michela Fanini                0.51
13 Team Aliverti                    0.57
14 Australian National Team         1.07
15 Petrogradets 2004                1.10
16 Nürnberger                       1.10
17 Canada-Spain                     1.14

Teams classification (based on best three riders):

1 Netherlands National Team         8.57.3
2 German National Team              0.33
3 Acca Due O Lorena                 1.03
4 Gas Sport Team                    1.03
5 Team Alfa Lum R.S.M.              1.03
6 Vlandeeren 2002                   1.57
7 Master Team Carpe Diem            1.57
8 French National Team              2.06
9 GS Edil Savino                    2.15
10 Inter-Europe                     2.15
11 US National Team                 2.24
12 SC Michela Fanini                2.33
13 Team Aliverti                    2.54
14 Australian National Team         3.21
15 Petrogradets 2004                3.30
16 Nürnberger                       3.30
17 Canada-Spain                     3.42