(August 6, 2002)                                                                                             Hot News Main Page

Solo Effort For Zabirova Brings Her Home The Win
After Third Stage Saturn's Arndt Still In Yellow

FLORANGE FRANCE (August 6, 2002) After 13 kilometers of neutral warm up, the riders of the women's Tour de France, the Grand Boucle, got off to a rolling and windy 155 kilometers taking them between Charleville-Mezières and Florange. Race leader, Saturn's Judith Arndt, managed, with the assistance of her strong team, to keep the Maillot Or. However, it was Zoulfia Zabirova, hot off her win of the Thuringen Rhundfahrt in Germany last week, taking the stage win, crossing the line solo after having escaped from a group of seven in the last kilometers.

The stage got off to a casual start until the stronger teams began to test the Saturn Team's meddle by attacking and counter attacking the group. Forced into a position of defense, the Saturn Team covered the various attacks, keeping Arndt protected. Finally, the Saturn riders Anna Millward, Ina Teutenberg, Kim Davidge, Petra Rossner and Catherine Marsal went in front of the bunch and started a hard tempo, preventing all attempts of attacks, while keeping Arndt and Kimberly Bruckner protected.

By the Queen of the Mountain Sprint at kilometer 134, Bruckner and Arndt were in the front position as the main group disintegrated into five groups. After the following QOM at kilometer 142, a group of around 15 riders formed, composing what would become the winning break away. In it were Arndt and Bruckner and almost all the GC riders. In the final kilometers Saturn's Bruckner tried a solo attack, but was quickly brought back to the group. Eventual race winner, Zabirova then took advantage of the situation and attacked few kilometers before the finish to cross the line with few seconds on her chasers for the win.

Saturn's Arndt maintains her Golden jersey for tomorrow's stage between Bar le Duc and Nogent. Tomorrow will again feature 160 kilometers of racing with 19 kilometers of neutral touring, one more long day before the Individual Time Trial on Thursday. Saturn's Rossner still wears Green as the Leader of the Points Competition

Stage 3: (Unofficial)
1st:Zoulfia Zabirova (USC Chirio)
2nd: Olga Souliareva (Itera)

GC
1st Judith Arndt (Saturn)
2nd Valentina Polkanova (Itera)

[Source: Giana Roberge at KaRoberge1@aol.com or (262) 549-6801, Ext. 46]