10th Sea Otter Classic - Cat. 2.4
USA, March 16-18, 2000
Main Page Results
Stage 1 - March 16: Laguna
Seca Time Trial, 3.6 km (m/w)
By John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent
Women - Gamble pays off
The SRAM Sea Otter Classic kicked off with a 2.25 mile time trial on
the world-renowned Laguna Seca motor speedway. With a stiff climb just
past the first turn, a corkscrew descent, and several straightaway sections,
it was a course that favored no particular type of rider- as was evident
from the results in both the womens and mens events, where the top finishers
were an eclectic mix of sprinters, time trialists, and all-rounders.
The women started things off in interesting fashion, as the Saturn
and Timex team directors opted for a bold tactical move: gambling that
the cool and misty, but calm conditions would give way to windier weather
before the event was over, they sent their top riders off early on,
giving up the advantage of having faster marks to aim for. It was a
gamble that paid off for both teams, as they combined to take six of
the top nine spots in the event.
However, it wasn't one of the touted pre-race favorites from Saturn,
Timex, or AutoTrader.com who pulled out the win, but rather Erin Carter
of Canada's Team Elita. Her 5:18.18 topped former world pursuit champion
Petra Rossner (Saturn) by just 3/100 of a second, with Charles Schwab's
time trial ace Elizabeth Emery in third.
Men - Fraser by inches
Meanwhile, in the men's time trial, it was another Canadian, Mercury's
Gord Fraser, who came out on top....but only just. Trent Klasna (Saturn)
set the early mark of 4:42.2, which stood up until Shaklee's Eric Wohlberg
roared around the Laguna Seca circuit nearly seven seconds faster. Rider
after rider challenged Wohlberg's time, only to come up short, until
two of the final starters, Fraser and Redlands time trial winner Dylan
Casey, managed to slip in ahead, with Fraser taking the stage by a miniscule
1/100 of a second.
Results
Women
1. Erin Carter (Can) Elita 5.18.0
2. Petra Rossner (Can) Saturn 0.00.3
3. Elizabeth Emery (USA) Schwab 0.00.8
4. Lynne Bessette (Can) Saturn 0.02.2
5. Mari Holden (USA) Timex 0.04.1
6. Clara Hughes (Can) Saturn 0.05.2
7. Susy Pryde (NZl) Saturn 0.10
8. Catherine Cardwell (USA) Schwab 0.11
9. Kim Smith (USA) Timex 0.12
10. Tina Mayola (USA) AutoTrader.com 0.13
Men
1. Gord Fraser (Can) Mercury 4.34.8
2. Dylan Casey (USA) U.S. Postal Service 0.1
3. Eric Wohlberg (Can) Shaklee 0.7
4. Frank McCormack (USA) Saturn 1.6
5. Clark Sheehan (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 5.8
6. Jason Van Marle (USA) Nutra Fig 5.9
7. Floyd Landis (USA) Mercury 6.7
8. David Zabriskie (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 7.2
9. Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn 7.3
10. Henk Vogels (Aus) Mercury 9.4
22. Mike Ley (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 16.9
28. Kevin Monahan (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 18.2
37. Anton Villatoro (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 20.4
64. Oscar Pineda (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 26.4
101. Ryan Guay (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 31.4
113. Juan Pineda (USA) 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist 36.8
General classification after stage 1:
1. Gord Fraser (Can) Mercury 4.34.8
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