Tour of the Gila - NE

USA, May 3-7, 2000

Stage 4 - May 6: Downtown Silver City Criterium, 43.2 miles/21.6 miles (m/w)

Women

Bt John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent

The AutoTrader.com team made it three stage wins in a row today, as Tina Mayolo took the fourth stage, the Silver City Criterium. While Jeannie Longo spent much of the stage trying unsuccessfully to make up time on overall leader Mari Holden (Timex), the field largely stayed together until three laps to go, when aggressive riding by Elita's Sarah Ulmer helped form the decisive six-woman break. In the dash to the line, it was Mayolo over Ulmer for the win; overall, there were no significant changes.

Results

1. Tina Mayolo (USA) AutoTrader.com
2. Sarah Ulmer (NZL) Elita
3. Julie Hanson (USA) Saturn
...
6. Kim Smith (USA) Timex

General classification after stage 4:

1. Mari Holden (USA) Timex

Thanks to Giana Roberge for the information

Men

Bt John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent

Unlike in the women's criterium, things stayed pretty much together in the men's event. At the finish, where Mercury's Gord Fraser outkicked Antonio Cruz (Saturn) and Vassili Davidenko (Navigators) for the win. Overall, there were no big changes, as Eric Wohlberg (Shaklee-Marin) maintained his lead over Clark Sheehan (7 UP-Colorado Cyclist), with Jelly Belly's Eddy Gragus in third place.

John Lieswyn's report

I had great legs today but the plan was for all of us to save our strength for Sunday's Gila Monster road race. We had to follow certain riders who were a GC threat to Eric, and Clark Sheehan especially was jumping around quite a bit, but Eric and I finished same time as the winner Gord Fraser. The heat was something else today and I lost both bottles within the first 5 laps due to the bumpy pavement. Teammates had to bail me out with their second bottles, and the race did not allow a feed zone. I think there were a lot of tired, dehydrated bike riders after this race.

Results

1. Gord Fraser (Can) Mercury
2. Antonio Cruz (USA) Saturn
3. Vassili Davidenko (Ukr) Navigators
4. Derek Bouchard-Hall (USA) Mercury

General classification after stage 4:


1. Eric Wohlberg (Can) Shaklee-Marin
2. Clark Sheehan (USA) 7 UP-Colorado Cyclist
3. Eddy Gragus (USA) Jelly Belly
4. Derek Bouchard-Hall (USA) Mercury