Fraser, Pic Shine In Opening Day of Martin Stage Race
Last updated Friday, May 12, 2006 10:53 PM CDT in Sports
By Don Lowe
Special To The Morning News
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FAYETTEVILLE -- Pro cyclists Gordon Fraser and Tina Pic have been on an impressive roll lately as they've trekked along the National Racing Calendar tour stops.
Fraser and Pic continued their terrific momentum into Friday's start of the 29th annual Joe Martin Stage Race as they forged ahead with solid rides in their respective road races.
"Two of the hottest riders in the country are out in front," said race director Bruce Dunn. "Those are two great champions and this uphill finish is an extremely difficult task."
Dunn said there is a lot of team strategy throughout the greatest portion of these lengthy road courses (110 miles for the men and 64 miles for the women) but then they "turn it over to their sprinters (Fraser and Pic) at the end and they are excellent finishers."
Fraser, who rides with Health Net presented by Maxxis, had several other top-notch performers right on his heels with Toyota-United Pro Cycling's Ivan Stevic in second, followed by Alex Candelario of the Jelly Belly team right behind in third.
Priority Health's Edward King holds down fourth place with defending Joe Martin champion Scott Moninger, who is a teammate of Fraser, in solid position to make a run at repeating while managing fifth with three more stages of this grueling event still to go.
"Scott Moninger knew exactly what he needed to do," Dunn said. "And, he's right where he wanted to be."
Fort Smith's Brice Jones, who is also on the Jelly Belly squad, finished 62nd. Although Jones' current position may seem a little low, Dunn lauded his effort as being pivotal.
"He did a lot of work early in the race to help set up his teammates," Dunn said.
In the women's race, Pic paced a sensational start for the Colavita/Cooking Light contingent, which had three of the top five finishers.
Pic's teammates Dotsie Bausch (3rd) and Sue Palmer-Komar (5th) also fared well.
Laura VanGilder of Team Lipton grabbed second place with her fellow team member Kori Seehafer in fourth.
While Fraser and Pic may have set a nice pace, Dunn suggests its far from over.
"Today is to set it up," Dunn said. "But, there are three tough stages coming up."
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