Stage 2: Cannon Falls Road Race from Com 2

(by Jennifer Reither, aka Racer X)

For today’s Cannon Falls stage, I had the opportunity to sit the Women’s Com 2 (the officials car that follows the front of the lead peloton) to watch some exciting racing. The women’s race today started off with a bang as the all the teams were extremely active launching attack after attack of today’s late afternoon stage. Just how aggressive were the women today? The race pace average was 24 m.p.h. for over 2 hour of racing. Today’s Q.O. M points were dominated by Felicia Gomez of Aarons as she placed 2nd, 1st and 1st. The only other rider to challenge her was Ruth Corset of Jazz Apple, who is sitting second in the QOM competition. The dirt section leading into the finish circuits shed a few riders as the teams of Cheerwine, Cervelo-Lifeforce and Tibco drilled the pace at the front of the peloton. Each lap of the technically challenging circuit lost riders off the back of the lead peloton each time through the finish line. The final time through the finish line Tina Pic (Colavita) launched her most successful move of the day winning the Cannon Falls stage ahead of Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco) and Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine)

The men’s race didn’t see much action during today’s stage, as they cruised through the 60 miles of Goodhue County enjoying the warm sunny weather and spectacular views. All that changed when the boys hit the finishing circuits, then it was all business as HealthNet took control sending its power to the front, keeping it single file through the technical circuits. As Kelly Benefits was obviously working hard for the sprinter, in the end it was Kirk O’Bee by a wheel length in front of Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefit) and John Murphey (HealthNet)

Women’s review-

Cannon Falls Podium 1st Tina Pic (Colavita) 2nd Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco) 3rd Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine)

Tina Pic (Colavita)– Yellow Jersey pb Nature Valley

Joanne Kiesanowski (Tibco) – Sprinter's Jersey pb Wheaties

Felicia Gomez (Aarons) – Climber's Jersey pb Jelly Belly

Katherine Cheatly (Cheerwine) Best Young Rider pb Boost

Amber Rais (Tibco) Most Aggressive pb Freewheel

Kristen McGrath (Colavita) Best Amateur Rider pb Nature Valley



Men’s Review

Cannon Falls Podium 1st Kirk O’Bee (HealthNet) 2nd Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefits) 3rd John Murphy (HealthNet)

Kirk O’Bee (HealthNet)– Yellow Jersey pb Nature Valley

Kirk O’Bee (HealthNet)– Sprinter's Jersey pb Wheaties

?? (Jelly Belly) – Climber's Jersey pb Jelly Belly

Keil Reijnen (Waste Management) Best Young Rider pb Boost

Jeremy Vennell (Bisssell) Most Aggressive pb Freewheel

??(Waste Management) Best Amateur rider pb Nature Valley