in stage two of the prestigious Canadian Female International Grand Prix in Bromont, Quebec, finishing 16th overall in a demanding 94K road race which confronted the riders with two major climbs.

Although riding as a guest of the US national team, her performance was all the more remarkable in that she was not part of the team's tactics and was effectively riding solo.

But she finds herself 23rd overall on general classification following the race -- with the same time after two stages as 1996 Olympic medallist Clara Hughes, of Canada, and top US pro Dede Demet.

The first two stages have seen breakaways by some of the major teams with Lynne Bessett, silver medallist in the road race in last month's Pan-Am Games, taking the victory.

Claude was facing another 91K race yesterday, a hilly 111K today and a final day tomorrow encompassing a 14.6K time trial in the morning and 40K criterium in the afternoon.