41st Manhattan Beach Grand Prix - NE

California, USA, August 11, 2002

2001 Results Results Past winners

Fraser gets revenge

Team Mercury report

Mercury's Gord Fraser took 3rd last week in Manhattan, NY, and on Sunday, in Manhattan Beach, CA, he more than made up for it by winning the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix in front of a big crowd.

It has been a very emotional week for the Mercury Team and Fraser, who lost his father almost 1 year ago, dedicated the win to Chris Wherry's father.

With a star-studded field including last week's big winner, Ivan Dominguez, the race has historically come down to a field sprint. All of the majors teams had their sprinters poised and ready to go.

Things were going to be different this year. With 35 minutes remaining in the 90 minute event, Mercury's Mike Sayers went away with three other riders (Mike Johnson, John Peters, and Brent Dawson). Within a lap, a group of eight more came across including Fraser. Suddenly, a group of 11 riders including Sayers, Fraser, Johnson, Clarke, Friedick, Dawson, Peters, Carney, and Candelario were motoring away. Absent was Saturn, and it was up to them to chase and brings things back together.

What a difference a week makes, as Saturn was not able to do what they did so well last week. The gap to the break increased to 1'10" and it was going to come down to the breakaway for the win.

With defending champion Carney sitting on, Mercury was content to roll through and keep the gap. On the last lap, Candelario was leading it out when Carney could not hold on and went sliding down and out. Fraser quickly went outside and never looked back as he took the victory.

Photography

Images by Carla Geyer/www.nakedpage.com

Katrina Berger and Dotsie Cowden (T-Mobile) talk strategy while Debbie Durand of Team Helen's looks on.
Suzanne Sonye (Saturn) leads the charge to the line and takes the win.
Thurlow Rogers, directeur sportif for Mercury, suited up to help the team.
Chris Walker (Team Zombies) tries to force an early break.
Harm Jansen (Saturn) got left behind in the field when the break went up the road.
Ernie Lechuga, showing off his new team threads, was one of the catalysts driving the breakaway.
Saturn tried to pull the break back, but Team Schroeder had plenty of guys to help break up the chase efforts.
John Peters (Prime Alliance) worked hard in the break to give his teammate Jonas Carney another shot at the win
Jonas Carney (Prime Alliance) was eager to repeat his win of last year.
Gord Fraser (Mercury) looks positively bored with yet another win.

Results

Men

1 Gordon Fraser (Can) Mercury Cycling Team
2 Brent Dawson (Aus) Jelly Belly
3 Alex Candelario (USA) Prime Alliance Cycling Team 
4 Hilton Clarke (Aus) Schroeder Iron Pro Cycling Team 
5 Mariano Friedick (USA) Jelly Belly
6 Mike Sayers (USA) Mercury Cycling Team
7 Ernesto Lechuga (Mex) Jelly Belly
8 James Paolinetti (USA) Schroeder Iron Pro Cycling Team 
9 Michael Johnson (USA) Schroeder Iron Pro Cycling Team 
10 John Peters (USA) Prime Alliance Cycling Team 

Women

1 Suzanne Sonye (USA) Saturn Cycling Team
2 Becky Quinn (USA) Red 5 Racing
3 Jenny Eyerman (USA) Santa Cruz
4 Tania Duff Miller (USA) Freddie Fu
5 Laura Downey (USA) Velo Allegro
6 Deborah Durand (USA) Helen's
7 Kirsten Raudenbush (USA) Red 5 Racing
8 Jacque Scott (USA) Minute Maid
9 Lynn Gaggioli (USA) Michela Fanini
10 Katrina Berger (USA) T-Mobile

Past winners

Pro Women
 
2001 Tina Mayolo (Autotrader.com

Pro Men
 
1 Jonas Carney (Prime Alliance)