Trophée d'Or Féminin - 2.9.2

France, August 27-31, 2003

Main Page Results Next Stage

Stage 1 - August 27: St Amand Montrond - La Chapel St. Ursin, 96km

Wright does it this time

By Kristy Scrymgeour

Australian, Alison Wright (Road Runner - Guerciotti Cycling) was successful in the first stage of Trophee d'Or Feminin today when she won the 15 person bunch sprint at the end of a 30km break-away. Her win today bettered her 1999 result in this same stage when she placed second.

Today's race traveled 96 kilometers around St Armond Montrond over a rolling and relatively unchallenging terrain. The main challenge in this race is always the narrow roads winding through the old French villages. 51km into today's stage Magalie Finot Laivier (French National Team) attacked and was left to ride away. Despite a good initial gap Rona's Cathy Marsal (Rona Esker) bridged to her and the two rode well together for 15km before chasing groups began to catch them.

Eventually the leading group was made up of 15 riders with strong representatives from most teams and continued the 30km to the finish for a bunch sprint. Wright, who placed on the podium more than once in the recent Grande Boucle Feminine, won the kick from Rona Esker rider Magali Le Floch and wears the yellow jersey going into stage two.

Tomorrow, riders face a double day over similar terrain with a 100km road stage in the morning and a 12km time trial in the afternoon.

Results

1 Alison Wright (Aus) RRG Nobili                    2.30.32  (38,105 km/h)
2 Magali Le Floc’h (Fra) Rona/Esker
3 Volha Hayeva (Blr) Internations 3
4 Evy Van Damme (Bel) Belgium
5 Heather Albert (USA) Internations 3
6 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Australia
7 Sandrine Marcuz-Moreau (Fra) France
8 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Berlin RG
9 Catherine Marsal (Fra) Rona/Esker
10 Oenone Wood (Aus) Australia
19 Melissa Holt (NZl) Rona/Esker                       1.33
51 Andrea Hannos (Can) Rona/Esker                      6.43
64 Karen Bockel (Ger) Rona/Esker
76 Erinne Wilock (Can) Rona/Esker

General Classification

1 Alison Wright (Aus) RRG Nobili                    2.30.32  (38,105 km/h)
2 Magali Le Floc’h (Fra) Rona/Esker
3 Volha Hayeva (Blr) Internations 3
4 Evy Van Damme (Bel) Belgium
5 Heather Albert (USA) Internations 3
6 Olivia Gollan (Aus) Australia
7 Sandrine Marcuz-Moreau (Fra) France
8 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Berlin RG
9 Catherine Marsal (Fra) Rona/Esker
10 Oenone Wood (Aus) Australia
19 Melissa Holt (NZl) Rona/Esker                       1.33
51 Andrea Hannos (Can) Rona/Esker                      6.43
64 Karen Bockel (Ger) Rona/Esker
76 Erinne Wilock (Can) Rona/Esker