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2nd Garrett Lemire Memorial GP - NE

Ojai, Ca, USA, April 10, 2005

Results    Past winners

Harm Jansen (Helen's RPM)
Photo ©: Steve Cohen

Lance Armstrong Graces Garrett LeMire Memorial Gran Prix

By Eddie Monnier

To the surprise and delight of many, Lance Armstrong graced the field at the second annual Garrett LeMire Memorial Gran Prix in Ojai, California. Although only in its second year, the race enjoyed National Racing Calendar status this year. The challenging one mile circuit around Libby Park in the quaint town of Ojai, known primarily for its spas, has quickly become a favorite among riders in Southern and Central Coast California. The race was founded in honor of Ojai resident Garrett Lemire, a talented twenty-two year old cyclist who was tragically killed while competing at the Tucson Bike Classic in March, 2003. Garrett always wanted a pro race in his home town. His family and friends founded the race to honor his memory. They have also set up a memorial fund to promote bicycle safety and education. You can read more about Garrett and the fund at http://www.glmgp.com/.

Lance Armstrong
Photo ©: Steve Cohen

Ryan Yee, Garrett's close friend and training partner, is now a pro with Team Seasilver. The team made a strong showing today as it was represented in virtually every move of the day. Aaron Olsen (Colavita Olive Oil / Sutter Home) made a strong solo effort late in the race but could not get more than 10 seconds on the field and was absorbed with one lap to go. The hill had taken its toll on many of the racers and the increased pace on the last lap shattered the field. It was "retired" pro Harm Jansen of local team RPM who rocketed to victory. The former Saturn rider is busy finishing his graduate thesis but enthusiastically told cyclingnews "Ah, see, you can still win working 60 hour weeks!" No stranger to victory, the talented rider has won several NRC races in his "retirement", including the overall at both the 3-day Cycle Fest (West Palm Beach, Florida) and the multi-week omnium International Cycling Classic (Illinois and Wisconsin, aka "Superweek").

Laura Van Gilder (Quark) Photo ©: Steve Cohen

VanGilder & Pic deliver Quark one-two

Women's report by Jim Williams, Quark Cycling team

Beautiful downtown Ojai was the setting for the fifth stop of the NCR schedule as riders took to the streets for the Garrett Lemire Memorial Race. The second year event is to honor Garrett Lemire who was killed on March 15, 2003 while racing in the Tucson Bike Classic. He was just 22 years old at the time of his death and his parents are actively involved with the planning and staging of the race.

Racing this year has been very aggressive as teams seem to be evenly matched and today was once again fast from the gun. Small breaks tried to get away on the first few laps but it was an attack by hometown girl Mari Holden (T-Mobile) that created the biggest excitement. Along with Holden a group formed containing Tina Pic (Quark), Kim Anderson (Colivita), Lyne Gaggioli (Monex), Jill McLaughlin (Vella Bella), and Holden's teammate Kori Kelly.

T-Mobile was determined to use their numbers in the break and continued to attack the group. Being outnumbered Tina Pic had to cover successive attacks until her teammate Laura VanGilder was able to bridge up. In tow was another T-Mobile rider, Lara Kroepsch, and Stacy Peeters (Helen's Cycling). With better numbers it was Quark's turn to attack, which kept the action at the front hot and put the other riders in the break on the defensive. As the laps ticked by and the finish approached Stacy Peeters attacked the group and was able to get a good gap. Quark's Tina Pic went to the front and flew up the 200 meter climb on the back side of the course with Laura VanGlider glued to her wheel. Tina was able to pull clear of the bunch and deliver Laura 150 meters from the line.

VanGilder crossed first with ease and Pic was able to gut it out and hold on to second with T-Mobile's Lara Kroepsch rounding out the podium.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Steve Cohen

• Lining up - domestic pros discover the competition has gone up a notch today
• Getting serious - Lance Armstrong and the field listen to the pre-race briefing
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) smiles on the start line
• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) deep in the bunch at the Garrett Lemire grand Prix.
• Leading the pack into a turn
• A bit of a discussion with a Monex rider
• Time to grab a drink
• Working hard - it may be a lowly NRC race, but it's never easy.
• Are you looking at me?
• Going full gas in the Garrett Lemire GP
• Spectators cheer Lance Armstrong - "I've never seen so many camera-phones" said one eye-witness
• Lance Armstrong puts the power down
• Harm Jansen (Helen's-RPM) takes the win for the second year running.
• Candice Blickem (Quark) and mascot
• Helen Kelly (Quark) pins on her number
• Audrey Lemieux (Quark) signs the bear.
• Tina Pic (Quark) relaxes before the start
• Laura Van Gilder (Quark) does 'pensive'
• Audrey Lemieux (Quark) warms up
• Helen Kelly (Quark) - focused
• Helen Kelly (Quark) takes a turn
• Mari Holden (T-Mobile) led the decisive break
• Tina Pic (Quark) on the attack
• Candice Blickem (Quark) rides in the bunch
• Sometimes avoiding a crashed rider...
• ...just doesn't help...
• ... if there's something else...
• ... in the way.
• The women's peloton crests the hill
• The peloton controlled by Quark and T-Mobile to protect their breakaway riders
• Helen Kelly (Quark) on the front of the peloton
• Laura Van Gilder (Quark) claims the win
• The podium - Tina Pic (Quark, 2nd), Laura VanGilder (Quark, 1st) and Lara Kroepsch (T-Mobile, 3rd)
• The podium - Tina Pic (Quark, 2nd), Laura VanGilder (Quark, 1st) and Lara Kroepsch (T-Mobile, 3rd)
• The top three have a little sit down

Images by Stefan Mayer

• Lance Armstrong (Discovery) with Garrett LeMire's best friend Ryan Yee just over his right shoulder
• Lance Armstrong being watched carefully by Victor Ayala of Kahala-La Grange
• Lance Armstrong hoofing it up the stinger of a climb
• Lance Armstrong with the pack as they exit the final turn
• Lance Armstrong gives it some as the race speeds through downtown Ojai
• Harm Jansen (Helen's-RPM) had a few bike lengths to spare, in spite of 60 hour work weeks

Images by Dan Holmes

• Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) at the start
• Lance Armstrong smiles on the start line
• Lance Armstrong rides in the Lemire GP - before taking off for a longer training ride
• Lance Armstrong leads through a turn
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Lynn Gaggioli (Monex) is flanked by Kim Anderson (Colavita/Cooking Light, L) and Mari Holden (T-Mobile, L) in the break
• Tina Pic (Quark) is closely watched by T-mobile riders in the break
• T-Mobile controls the peloton
• Mari Holden (T-Mobile) pulling up the Ventura St Hill
• Tina Pic, Mari Holden, Lynn Gaggiolli and others pull up Ventura St.
• Tina Pic (Quark) and Mari Holden (T-Mobile)
• Laura van Gilder (Quark) approaching the turn onto Ventura St
• The start of the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Action from the men's race
• Up the Ventura St Hill
• Speeding down Main Street
• Team Salsa working the peloton
• The s turn onto Signal St
• Rahsaan Bahati rolling through the s turn
• Out of the s turn down to Main
• Full speed turn onto Main
• Rahsaan Bahati pulling off Main
• Action from the men's race
• A Helen's Cycles team member
• A Helen's Cycles team member
• Winner Harm Jensen gives a post-race interview
• Sheryl Crow and Lance Armstrong loading up after the race
• Lance Armstrong being interviewed after the race.
• Lance Armstrong before heading back to LA.

Images by Ronald Howard/Premier Photography

• Lance Armstrong at the start
• Lance just behind Erik Saunders of McGuire
• Lance takes a bit of a breather before heading out for more training
• Second place finisher Rahsaan Bahati with his daughter and likely 2020 Elite Women's Criterium Champ
• Garrett's training buddy Ryan Yee of Team Seasilver
• Winner Harm Jansen after the victory

Results

Men
 
1 Harm Jansen (Ned) Helen's RPM
2 Rahsaan Bahati (USA) McGuire
3 Matty Rice (USA) Jelly Belly
4 Eric Wohlberg (Can) Symmetrics
5 Emile Abraham (Tri) Monex
6 Aaron Olson (USA) Colavita/SutterHome
7 Ivan Stevic (SCG) Aerospace
8 Jason Bausch (USA) SeaSilver
9 Kyle Gritters (USA) SeaSilver
10 Antonio Rios (USA) LaGrange
11 Joshua Goodwin (USA) Monex
12 Eric Saunders (USA) McGuire
13 Banning Ostrow (USA) Salsa
14 Carlos Vega (USA) Monex
15 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery
16 Luke Stockwell (Aus) Mondial
17 Thurlow Rogers (USA) Sonace
18 Pete Lopinto (USA) SeaSilver
19 Pulodo Luis Marango (USA) LaGrange
20 Randall Coxworth (USA) SDBC
 
Women
 
1 Laura Van Gilder (USA) Quark
2 Tina Pic (USA) Quark
3 Laura Kroepsch (USA) T-Mobile
4 Kim Anderson (USA) Colavita Light
5 Lynn Gaggioli (USA) Monex
6 Kori Seehafer (USA) T-Mobile
7 Jill McLaughlin (USA) Velo Bella
8 Mari Holden (USA) T-Mobile 
9 Stacey Peters (USA) Helen's
10 Laura Yolsten (USA) Diet Cheerwine
11 Michelle Hyland (USA) TDS-Schwalbe
12 Suzanne Sonye (USA) Helens
13 Kimberly Baldwin (USA) T-Mobile
14 Brenda Lyons (USA) Velo Bella
15 Rhonda Stickle (USA) Diet Cheerwine
16 Candice Blickem (USA) Quark
17 Liza Rachetto (USA) Subway
18 Helen Kelly (USA) Quark
19 Carli Figieroa (USA) Paramount
20 Brooke Ourada (USA) T-Mobile

Past winners

2004 Harm Jansen (Ned)         Suzanne Sonye (USA)