For the week of June 12 - 18, 2002

Women’s Challenge bikers arrive Tuesday

Nine-day, 543-mile stage race begins Saturday

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About 100 of the world’s top female cyclists will pedal through Idaho’s mountains and high desert June 15-23 during the $75,000 HP Women’s Challenge bicycle race.

Headlining the 19th annual Women’s Challenge is defending champ Lyne Bessette, now riding with the Canadian national team. She faces formidable competition including her former Saturn teammates.

Making her HP Women’s Challenge debut will be former world champion Monica Valen, 32, of Norway. Also expected is American Olympic cycling silver medalist Mari Holden, 31, and her Team T-Mobile.

This year’s Women’s Challenge will cover 543 miles over nine days and nine stages. That’s 145 miles, four stages and three days fewer than 2001. The purse has dropped $53,000 from last year’s $128,000.

Another change: Only one race will pass through Ketchum, compared to last year when the HP Women’s Challenge visited Sun Valley for three races over two days.

In all, there are seven road races, one criterium and one individual time trial for 2002. There will be no Elkhorn Circuit Race, a crowd-pleasing event in the past. Also canceled for 2002 is the Trail Creek Road head-to-head time trial.

Here are the races:

·  Saturday, June 15, Stage #1: The 69.5-mile Boise to Idaho City road race.

·  Sunday, June 16, Stage #2: The 58.5-mile Lowman to Stanley road race.

·  Monday, June 17, Stage #3: The 25-mile Stanley individual time trial.

·  Tuesday, June 18, Stage #4: The 62.3-mile Stanley to Ketchum road race.

·  Wednesday, June 19, Stage #5: The 87.9-mile road race from Shoshone to Pomerelle Ski Area south of Burley.

·  Thursday, June 20, Stage #6: The 60.7-mile road race from Burley to Magic Mountain south of Twin Falls.

·  Friday, June 21, Stage #7: The 84.5-mile Twin Falls to Buhl road race.

·  Saturday, June 22, Stage #8: The 50-lap, 38.5-mile Wirestone Statehouse Criterium in downtown Boise.

·  Sunday, June 23, Stage #9: The 56.5-mile Emmett to Boise road race.

Visit the race’s Web site, www.womenschallenge.com

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.