U.S. Women Rule Day One
Monterey, California: Downhill, March 19, 1999
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Racing here in rainy Monterey got underway in earnest Friday for hundreds of mountain bikers with the first full day of racing at the Sea Otter Classic. American standout Alison Dunlap (GT) and Dutch pro Roel Paulissen (American Eagle) won the first stage of the mountain bike stage race with individual wins in the time trail stage. Downhill racing featured U.S. rider Marla Streb (Yeti) and German Jurgen Beneke (Giant) winning on a new gravity-filled course.

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Enthusiastic but sparse crowds came out to the Laguna Seca to cheer for their favorite riders and take in the event’s laid-back atmosphere. Food booths, vendors and race team technical trucks filled the infield, the day tempered by dark skies and cool temperatures. While amateur racers took on the dual slalom and road courses, pro riders began their season with several races of their own.

Time trial racing took place in cold and wet conditions as morning showers gave the world’s top cross-country racers a tough course on which to compete. Riders went off one at a time, racing against the clock for approximately twenty minutes on a short off-road course. With challenging conditions, including mud and slick grass, riders put out strong efforts to get an early edge in this three-stage race. Dunlap, who is ready for another good season, posted the fastest time for the women. Next fastest was Chrissy Redden (Ritchey/Yahoo), with a time of 24:38.52. Caroline Alexander (American Eagle) and Gunn-Rita Dahle (DBS) rounded out the top five medalists, each crossing the finish line tired and muddy.

"The short course — full of bermed turns and difficult pedaling sections — was good when it was dry, but blown out and muddy in the rain..."

The men’s mountain bike time trail immediately followed the women as Paulissen lead an all-European charge for the podium with a time of 20 minutes, 44.8 seconds. Swiss star Thomas Frischknecht (Ritchey/Yahoo) posted the second- fastest time of the day, just over one second slower than Paulissen. Norwegian Rune Hoydahl (Giant) was third while Italian Hubert Pallhuber (Diamondback) and Andres Brenes (Ritchey/Yahoo) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Tinker Juarez (Volvo-Cannondale) was the fastest American, finishing 17th for the stage.

Downhill racing took place on a hill in the Laguna Seca Raceway, two hours after the time trial. The short course - full of bermed turns and difficult pedaling sections - was good when it was dry, but blown out and muddy in the rain. Riders competed in a one-run format with no qualifying run after a slight delay.

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Women went first and, after 22 finishers, were dominated by Bay-area resident Marla Streb (Yeti). Streb used her fearless style to post a time of 2 minutes, 15.11 seconds, beating second-place finisher Tara Llanes (Mt. Dew-Specialized) who took the silver. Sari Jorgenson (Tomac/Manitou) finished third while the infamous Missy Giove (Foes/Azonic) took fourth. Cheri Elliott (Maxxis) rounded out the top five.

Men’s downhill action began late in the afternoon under dry skies and 45-degree temperatures. Jurgen Beneke (Giant) took advantage of the course’s physical demands to beat out an elite field, finishing the short track in one minute, 55.8 seconds. His win was less than a second faster than second-place finisher Brian Lopes (Volvo-Cannondale). Third place went to John Kirkcaldie (Schwinn Rav4) while fourth and fifth went to Cedric Gracia (Volvo-Cannondale) and Oscar Saiz (Mt. Dew-Specialized).

The Sea Otter Classic continues through the weekend, with four more pro events on Saturday and three events scheduled for Sunday. Pro racers from around the world are competing in mountain, road, BMX and trials events at the Laguna Seca Raceway.

—Rich Neare, shrink wrapped for The Mountain Zone