GP Féminine International du Québec - 2.9.2

Canada, August 22-26, 2001

Stage 5 - August 25: Cowansville Criterium, 40 km

Rossner wins stage, Sundstedt still in yellow

By Giana Roberge, Team Saturn

In the afternoon's 29 lap, 40 kilometre stage, cash primes were offered every three laps. More was on the line than money, though, and from the gun a battle of wills was waged. The Saturn Team attempted every move up their collective sleeves to rid either Erlank or Bessette of Sundstedt. However, much to the credit of a strong and determined team, Sundstedt marked Bessette and Erlank, leaving her team to bring back anything dangerous that went up the road.

In the end, it was a group of five non-overall race contenders that escaped the swarming field. Saturn's Petra Rossner was joined by Autotrader's Julie Young, Great Britain's Nicole Cooke, and Rona's Meshy Holt. Sarah Ulmer (Autotrader.com) was present in the break but dropped out due to illness.

The break came into the finish together, with Rossner easily claiming the win over Cooke. Young was third and Holt finished fourth, nearly 30 seconds up on the field.

Tomorrow's final stage features two major climbs, the final 16 kilometres traversing Mt. Sutton and finishing on the summit. If today was any indication, the battle will continue until the final meters of the race.

Results

1 Petra Rossner (Ger) Saturn Cycling Team 
2 Nicole Cooke (GBr) Great Britain 
3 Julie Young (USA) Autotrader.com 
4 Melissa Holt (NZl) Rona 

General classification after stage 5

1 Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Intersports 
2 Anke Erlank (RSA) Saturn Timex         0.21 
3 Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn Timex       1.18