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This race has a long rich history in my old hometown. It had a lot of great riders in the past including Jeannie Longo. It originally had it roots traced back to the first race before Mclane and before Bud Light Criterium, which was produced and promoted by Bill Goldfoos, a local bike shop owner, and I actually won the race in it's first edition. The atmosphere is very festive and draws a large crowd every year. It's famous S-corner is known for crashes, as diners enjoy lunch barbecued and served at tables right on the S-corner.
I talked with the team manager for T-Mobile, and he said the girls would be back shortly from a short ride, and that I could meet Chantal. It was quite an honor, someone of her statue to come to Merced. I think everyone was thrilled to say the least, both with Chantal and Susan. I took some shots and talked with Chantal about her new website and her 2nd place in the 2000 World Championships. I was especially thrilled to get the final T-Mobile Team portrait shown below as the last photo.