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Fraser, Sonye take Manhattan … Beach

by VeloNews.com

• August 12, 2002
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By VeloNews Interactive

While the mountain goats were in Colorado over the weekend for the Saturn Cycling Classic, the criterium specialists were in Southern California for the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Now in its 41st year, the criterium is a fixture on the Southern California racing calendar, and a yearly stop on the National Racing Calendar. In the men’s race, Gord Fraser took Mercury’s second win of the weekend, adding to Chris Wherry’s victory in Colorado the day before, while in the women’s race, Saturn’s Suzanne Sonye took top honors.

In the men’s race, 188 riders lined up for 90 minutes on the 1.4-mile course two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Just after the midway point in the race, a group of four riders – Mike Sayers (Mercury), John Peters (Prime Alliance), Brent Dawson (Jelly Belly-Carlsbad Clothing) and Mike Johnson (Schroeder Iron) – went away, and a lap later they were joined by seven others – Fraser, Alex Candelario (Prime Alliance), Hilton Clarke (Schroeder Iron), Mariano Friedick (Jelly Belly-Carlsbad Clothing), Ernie Lechuga (Jelly Belly-Carlsbad Clothing), Jamie Paolinetti (Schroeder Iron) and defending champion Jonas Carney (Prime Alliance).

On the final lap, Candelario began the lead out for Carney, and the pair hit the final hairpin turn first and second, but then Carney slid out and crashed. Candelario tried to hold on, but Fraser and Dawson charged past, with Fraser taking the win, Dawson second and Candelario third.

The Saturn team of New York City winner Ivan Dominguez missed out on the winning move in the men’s race, but in the women’s race, Saturn delivered the winner in Sonye. The women’s race in Manhattan Beach has only produced one breakaway winner in its long history, and this year was no different as the 65-minute race came down to a field sprint. With teammate Kristy Scrymgeour there to provide the final lead out, Southern Californian Sonye took the sprint ahead of Becky Quinn (Red 5 Racing) and Jenny Eyerman (Santa Cruz), in front of her home crowd.

Results

Men;
1. Gord Fraser, Mercury; 2. Brent Dawson, Jelly Belly-Carlsbad Clothing; 3. Alex Candelario, Prime Alliance; 4. Hilton Clarke, Schroeder Iron; 5. Mariano Friedick, Jelly Belly-Prime Alliance; 6. Mike Sayers, Mercury; 7. Ernie Lechuga, Jelly Belly-Prime Alliance; 8. Jamie Paolinetti, Schroeder Iron; 9. Michael Johnson, Schroeder Iron; 10. John Peters, Prime Alliance;
;
Women;
1. Suzanne Sonye, Saturn; 2. Becky Quinn, Red 5 Racing; 3. Jenny Eyerman, Santa Cruz; 4. Tania Duff Miller, Freddie Fu; 5. Laura Downey, Velo Allegro; 6. Deborah Durand, Helen’s; 7. Kirsten Raudenbush, Red 5 Racing; 8. Jacque Scott, Minute Maid; 9. Lynn Gaggioli, Michela Fanini; 10. Katrina Berger, T-Mobile