Mix sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Add water salt crystals to water and stir until dissolved. Add salt water to bread machine. Pour in flour mixture. Sprinkle yeast on top. Set bread machine for white bread setting. When bread machine is finished with the kneading, transfer dough to oiled bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise until doubled in bulk, about 1½ hours.

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Punch down dough and form into a long slender loaf about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Put loaf on nonstick baguette pan and let rise, uncovered, about 30 minutes. (Baguette may be made up to this point 4 hours ahead and chilled.)