Sea Otter Classic - NE

Monterey, California, USA, March 21 - 24, 2002

Stage 1 - March 21: Laguna Seca time trial, 27.2km

Results    Next stage

Zabriskie Sizzles, A women’s repeat of Redlands?

By Steve Edwards

Monterey, CA: Day one at Monterey’s Sea Otter Classic, dubbed The Unabashed Celebration of the Bicycle, got off to a rousing start. On the road, both the men and women did double stages, while the mountain bikers kicked off with, of all things, a road crit.

The Women

"Wow, a great great course," was how women’s winner Genevieve Jeanson of Team Rona described her first trip around the rolling 17.1-mile course through historic Fort Ord. She should have been pleased. After all, she had just set the course record at sat in first place by over a minute and twenty seconds. Not having time for a proper reconnaissance, she had only been able to drive the course early in the day.

"I asked Andre (Aubut, Rona team director) to warn me when I was coming into turns," she added. "My turns were not that great."

While this may not seem to have mattered much, the few seconds she may have gained could still become vital, as the Saturn juggernaut nabbed places two through four, with Redlands winner Judith Arndt, powerful climber Lyne Bessette, and a fresh-from-a-week-off Kimberly Bruckner. This seemed eerily similar to last week at Redlands, where three Saturn riders sat behind Jeanson. Attacking relentlessly throughout the week, they were finally able to get away from the 20-year-old climbing phenom. On describing this week’s challenge, team director Giana Roberge called it "déjà vu," before adding that she considered Jeanson, "a worthy (insert exaggerated tone) adversary."

"I didn’t know there was a course record," added Jeanson. " I felt good. It was a hard course. I think it was the hardest I’ve done."

The Men

US Postal’s David Zabriskie sounded surprised at his win. His blistering time of 38:20 surpassed early leader Eric Wohlberg of Saturn and Redland’s champion Chris Horner of Prime Alliance.

"I didn’t know I went as fast as I went," he stated casually. " I went to the start a little early and did like my coach Chris Carmichael said, not to warm up too hard because it’s a long time trial." He then went on to dispute Lance Armstrong saying that, in fact, it is about the bike,

"I had the new (Trek) time trial bike. It was just flying on the downhills, I caught two guys and I wasn’t even pedaling, so by the time I got to the uphill I had a lot left."

Rider Quotes, Day 1

David Zabriskie, 1st stage one

On the crit:

"I’m not really a super big fan of criteriums, but I guess it’s part of racing in America."

On the Sea Otter:

"This race is way harder than Redlands, for sure."

On Horner:

"He’s extremely fit."

"You never know. I mean, he’s not Superman. He’s gotta get tired sooner or later."

About tomorrow:

"I need some sleep."

Photography

Images by Rob Karman/www.roadbikephotos.com

• Judith Arndt (Saturn) concentrates in the time trial
• Lyne Bessette (Saturn) rode strongly for third
• Lyne Bessette (Saturn) looking focused in the time trial
• Kimberley Bruckner (Saturn) TTed to second place behind the Cannibal
• Kimberley Bruckner (Saturn) gets in deep
• Genevieve Jeanson (RONA) hacked over a minute out of her rivals.
• Genevieve Jeanson (RONA) showed her usual unstoppable form
• Dave Zabriskie (USPS) surprised with a super-fast win
• Dave Zabriskie (USPS) looking fast and focused
• Dave Zabriskie (USPS) takes a curve at speed, shadowed by his team car
• Henk Vogels (Mercury) attempts to go faster than his bike
• Chris Horner (Prime Alliance) lost just 13 seconds, putting him in a strong position to repeat his Redlands win
• Eric Wohlberg (Saturn) took third in a tight men's TT

Results

Men - unofficial
 
1 Dave Zabriskie (USPS)                    38.30
2 Chris Horner (Prime Alliance)             0.13
3 Eric Wohlberg (Saturn)                    0.17
4 Adham Sbeih (Mercury)                     0.24
5 Scott Moninger (Mercury)
6 Chris Wherry (Mercury)
 
Women - unofficial
 
1 Genevieve Jeanson (Can) RONA             42.50 (37.82 km/h)
2 Kimberly Bruckner (USA) Saturn            1.23
3 Lyne Béssette (Can) Saturn                1.34
4 Judith Arndt (Ger) Saturn                 2.06
5 Mari Holden (USA) Cannondale-USA          3.12
6 Karen Bockel (Ger) RONA                   4.02
7 Katrina Berger (USA) Cannondale-USA       4.08
8 Amber Neben (USA) Cannondale-USA          4.24
9 Susan Palmer-Komar (Can) TalgoAmerica     4.27
10 Stacey Peters (USA) Bianchi-USA          4.35

(Full results to follow when available)

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