The International (Tour de Toona) - NE

Pennsylvania, USA, July 28-August 3, 2003

2002 results Stage List Preview Start List Past winners Photos

The Stages

Stage 1 - July 28: Broad Avenue ITT, 3.5 miles
Stage 2 - July 29: Johnstown Circuit Road Race, 74 miles
Stage 3 - July 30: Johnstown-Altoona Road Race, 100 miles
Stage 4 - July 31: Hollidaysburg Circuit Road Race, 60 miles
Stage 5 - August 1: Martinsburg Circuit Road Race, 80 miles
Stage 6 - August 2: Altoona/Blair County Road Race, 93.8 miles
Stage 7 - August 3: Downtown Altoona Criterium, 35 miles

Even bigger and tougher Toona for 2003

By Kristy Scrymgeour

Formerly known as the Tour de Toona, 'The International' is back again for another tough year in the relentless terrain of the Altoona area in Pennsylvania. This race has grown in distance and stature over the past couple of years and is this year considered to be one of the biggest tours on the US calendar.

The tour starts Monday evening with the traditional 3.5 mile prologue to set the scene for the week ahead and determine which rider will go into stage one with the yellow jersey. From there riders will travel to different towns surrounding Altoona to face a variety of difficult courses, from the short sharp hilly terrain of the Allegheny Front to the long steep mountain at Blue knob which is known to be a big decider in the general classification of this event.

This year, the race has changed slightly from the past for the men, and will finish a day early with the 100 mile Blue Knob stage being the finale. For the women, the big change is the introduction of the Cat III women's category into the race. The International is certainly the biggest race in the US for women, purely for the long distance and challenging terrain it covers. The women will ride an identical course to the men each day with stages of up to 100 miles, most certainly a challenge for most women, who are used to racing over much shorter distances.

Back defending their titles will be Danny Pate (Prime Alliance), who won last year by 1'45" from his teammate Matt Decanio. Other past winners in the men's field will also be present including Gord Fraser (Health Net), David Clinger (Prime Alliance) and Charles Dionne (Saturn). In the women's field Heather Albert (Team Basis) comes back after recent success the Cascade tour. Albert won this event last year by a huge 8'42" from her closest rival Maria Calle (Talgo). This year however, she will face former winners Lynne Bessette (Saturn), who placed first in front of Albert at the tour in Oregon and the winner of the 2001 edition of Tour de Toona, Genevieve Jeanson (Rona).

Start list

Coming!

Past winners

Men
 
2002 Danny Pate (USA) Prime Alliance
2001 Harm Jansen (Ned) Saturn
2000 Gord Fraser (Can) Mercury
1999 David Clinger (USA)
1998 Charles Dionne (Can)
1997 Norman Alvis (USA)
1996 Scott Mercier (USA)
1995 Mike Englemann (USA)
1994 Scott Moninger (USA)
1992 Graeme Miller (NZl)

Women
 
2002 Heather Albert (USA) Goldy's
2001 Geneviève Jeanson (Can) RONA
2000 Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn

Past winners by Mario Stiehl, www.world-of-cycling.com