News – Page 189 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

AMELIA WALSH MOVES ON TO SUPERCROSS FINALS AT BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Birmingham, GBR – May 25, 2012) Amelia Walsh was the lone Canadian rider who moved on to the Elite BMX SuperCross rounds at the BMX World Championships in Birmingham, Great Britain.

Walsh qualified with the 44^th best time of the women’s qualifying rounds. Reigning Canadian Champion Sabrina Millman, who suffered a minor injury on Wednesday, did not advance.

In the men’s round, Connor McCormack, Canada’s lone rider in the Elite category, did not advance, posting the 82^nd fastest time.

In the junior races, two Canadian men qualified for the final rounds. Corey Walsh qualified with the 33^rd best time of the day, while James Palmer posted the 52^nd best time.

The BMX Supercross Finals will be held tomorrow.

May 25, 2012/by Communications

MOUNTAIN BIKE CANADA CUP EVENT IN CANMORE CANCELLED

(Ottawa, ON – May 25, 2012) Cycling Canada Cyclisme is forced to cancel the 2012 Mountain Bike XCO Canada Cup event in Canmore.

Cycling Canada Cyclisme worked with stakeholders and organizers from Western Canada to investigate alternative options for this event, but ultimately it has been unable to find a solution acceptable to replace the event.

The 2012 Canada Cup XCO Series will be a three-event series, with the best two of three races counting towards the overall ranking.

We are looking forward to 2013, and bring the series back up to a five-event series, with events in Eastern and Western Canada.

May 25, 2012/by Communications

CANADA SWEEPS OPENING PROLOGUE AT EXERGY TOUR

(Ottawa, ON – May 24, 2012) The Canadian cyclists are on fire at the inaugural 2012 Exergy Tour, an important women’s road cycling event.

Canadian riders finished 1-2-3 in the 3.1-kilometre opening prologue, with Tara Whitten (Tibco-To-The-Top) taking the yellow jersey. National team rider Gillian Carleton took the second place, while Clara Hughes (Specialized Lululemon) placed third.

“It was such a strong field today. I am very proud to wear the first ever yellow jersey at the Exergy Tour,” said Whitten while talking to the race announcer after the podium ceremony. “The Canadian cycling program made huge improvements over past several years. Gillian is a strong member of the Women’s Team Pursuit on the track, and I am very excited for the Olympic Games coming up this summer. I am thrilled that we’re both in top form. We are only getting stronger.”

Added Whitten: “It’s pretty unusual for us to have great crowds. It’s exciting. The first comment I got from one of my teammate coming back was that the crowds were amazing, and it pushes you to give everything you have in there. We have a really strong team here and we are excited for the days to come.”

Gillian Carleton takes the lead in the Best Young Rider, awarded to the Top U23 athlete.

The 2012 Exergy Tour is a five-day professional stage race for women’s cycling in Idaho. Tomorrow will feature the second day of racing, a 123.8-kilometre race in Nampa.

For more information on the Exegy Tour, please visit: http://www.exergytour.com/

May 24, 2012/by Communications

DANDELION FESTIVAL GRAND PRIX ADDED TO NATIONAL ROAD CALENDAR

Criterium and road race to attract top Canadian cycling teams

(Kemptville, ON– May 24, 2012) The Dandelion Festival and the Municipality of North Grenville are pleased to announce the 2012 edition of the Dandelion Festival Grand Prix Race Weekend.

The Dandelion Festival, which takes place in Kemptville, Ontarioon May 25-27, will feature two cycling events this year. A Pro/Am criterium for men and women on Saturday May 26^th, and a Citizens Race as well as a Pro/Am road race on Sunday May 27th.

In partnership with eQuinelle Homes, one ofEastern Ontario’s leading lifestyle community developers, and the Cyclery Ottawa’s premier bike shop, the eQuinelle Grand Prix Criterium will take place in the afternoon and early evening on Saturday May 26th.

Kid races will take place from 3pm to 4pm and then the real action will begin full gas.

We are proud to announce that the Elite men’s and women’s criterium’s are the newest addition to the Canadian National Road Calendar, The best road racers in the country will compete for a cash purse of over $7500.00 in front of close to 3000 festival spectators.

Confirmed teams to date are Ekoï.com/Gaspésien Continental Pro cycling team, Team Spirit/ Cannondale, Real Deal Racing/La Bicicletta, Nine2FivePro.com, Ride with Rendall, Jet Fuel, Octto Cervelo, and the Steven’s elite team to mention a few.

Some ofCanada’s best women’s teams including the Stevens Women’s Pro cycling team and Infinit Nutrition/CyclePower will be present at the start line as well.

For those that are racing, Kemptville’s great espresso bar Geronimo is located on the course for the pre-race fuel up and for those that aren’t, there will be live music, festivities for the kids, and yes a beer tent lining the start finish area for those are out to watch the fast paced action!

Registration is now open for the criterium at www.ontariocyling.org.

Starting at 9am Sunday morning the 27th of May there will be a citizen’s road race near Oxford Mills Ontario. It will feature a beginner’s race, and intermediate race as well as a women’s race, for those who wish to compete on the 17.1-km closed to traffic winding road course.

Then at 12pm, a 102.6km Pro/Am women’s race open to elite women, and a 171-km Pro/Am men’s race open to elite and M1 men’s teams will light up the same traffic-free course competing for over $3000.

There will be a BBQ and refreshments for athletes and spectators as well as a picnic area near the start finish area for those to sit and enjoy the race.

For those teams of 4-8 riders that are interested in competing in the eQuinelle Grand Prix Pro/Am criterium, please contact race director Ryan Phelps at rtphelps@cogeco.ca as we would like to have rosters submitted with brief athlete biographies to help make the race announcing more exciting and informative to the spectators on day of.

Individual athletes may enter on a case by case basis. Information can be found at www.thedandelionfestival.ca and at www.ontariocycling.org.

We would also like to thank the Municipalityof North Grenvilleand the Provinceof Ontariofor their generous support in making this event possible. Accommodations are available at the Universityof Guelph Kemptville Campusresidence , cost is $59/single and $39 per person for a double room, plus taxes. Guests can call the campus office to reserve a room 613-258-8336 ext. 61234.

May 24, 2012/by Communications

A NEW ERA BEGINS IN CANADIAN CYCLING WITH A NEW NAME AND LOOK

Canadian Cycling Teams to “Pedal to the Medal” this season

(Ottawa, ON – May 23, 2012) The Board of Directors of the Canadian Cycling Association is pleased to announce that the organization will be known as Cycling Canada Cyclisme from this date forward.

Sporting a fresh new logo and name, the Canadian Cycling Teams in all cycling sports will carry the new brand around the world at various World Cups, World Championships and international races. President John Tolkamp explained the change of name and logo as follows; “With the input of many alumni and advisors we have been encouraged to revamp the identity of the organization. The new identity modernizes and strengthens our brand, while maintaining a strong connection to our country and the rich history of cycling in Canada. It was also felt the dedicated team of athletes, coaches and support staff we now have in place is leading-edge and warranted a fresh look and identity.”

“For the past several years there has been a significant transformation underway in our organization and sport, most significantly in our international success, and a new identity highlights both the progress made and our expectations going forward, particularly as we head to the London Olympics. These next three months will inspire the nation and motivate youth to take up cycling as our athletes proudly represent Canada.”

The logo, a heritage maple leaf with a representation of a cyclist within the maple leaf, brings back the endless memories of success by Canadian cyclists around the world.

The new logo is a testament to the rich cycling history in Canada. Cycling Canada Cyclisme is the second oldest National Sport Organization in Canada, founded in 1882. Cycling has been a prominent sport at the Olympic Games, with living legends such as Steve Bauer (Silver, 1984 Los Angeles, Road) and Curt Harnett (Silver, 1984 Los Angeles, Track) and Clara Hughes (1996) opening the way for a new generation of great cyclists.

“As we enter a new era in Canadian cycling, our athletes are performing at a world class level, winning medals on a regular basis at UCI World Cups, World Championships and in other major races around the World,” said Greg Mathieu, Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Canada Cyclisme. “The rebranding efforts come at the right time as we are well into our Vision 2020 goal to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020.”

The new visual identity also comes with a new slogan – “Pedal to the Medal” – which embodies the encouragement for our team members as they head into this season’s major competitions.

The Canadian road team is currently enjoying significant success, both from the men and the women. Canada is ranked as the top Mountain Bike nation in the world on the women’s side. The Canadian Track Cycling Team just ended a dream season with superb performances on the UCI World Cup Tour and at World Championships. BMX is seeing the emergence of a strong contender on the Supercross tour, making finals on a regular basis. Finally, the Canadian Para-cycling Program is leading-edge, gathering seven medals at the last Road World Championships and three medals at the Track World Championships.

“The new Cycling Canada identity is an exciting start to a new era. Cycling Canada has grown tremendously and seen a lot of success in the recent past and I know we will continue to do so. This new name and look will help to continue that momentum while incorporating the rich history of cycling in Canada and giving the athletes a new look they can be proud to represent leading into the Olympic year,” said Erinne Willock, National Team Road cyclist and Chair of the Athletes’ Council.

A new set of modernized logos have also been unveiled to reflect the richness and tradition of the Canadian Cycling Championships. This new identity will be carried through all of the Canadian Championships beginning this summer.

May 23, 2012/by Communications

INJURED TORY NYHAUG TO MISS UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nyhaug still in hospital after crash in Papendal, suffering from a ruptured spleen

(Ottawa, ON – May 22, 2012) Canadian BMX rider Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, BC sustained injuries in the men’s Supercross finals two weeks ago, in Papendal, Netherlands, while competing at the third UCI BMX Supercross race of the 2012 season.

As a result of the injuries, Nyhaug has been withdrawn from the Canadian entry for the upcoming UCI World Championships to be held in Birmingham, Great Britain.

“Tory is a very resilient and determined individual, he is an athlete that is targeted for 2016 but if there is any chance he can be ready for August 2012 there is no doubt in my mind that Tory, his family and his team of medical and training experts will pull out all stops to make the summer of 2012 happen for Tory,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director at the Canadian Cycling Association.

In the crash that occurred on the third straight of the Olympic Training Centre BMX track in Papendal, Nyhaug suffered a ruptured spleen, and has been hospitalized. Nyhaug remains to this date for observations and continued medical care.

The date for Nyhaug’s release from hospitalization is still undetermined.

May 22, 2012/by Communications

MORE PARA-CYCLING SUCCESS FOR CANADA IN EUROPE

Molnar, Croteau victorious in P1 Time trial; Weldon/Bessette tandem wins Tour of Belgium

(Ottawa, ON – May 21, 2012) The Canadian Para-cycling Team enjoyed significant success on Sunday in Europe, with Marie-Claude Molnar and Marie-Ève Croteau both winning their time trial race in an international race in Italy, while the powerful tandem of Robbi Weldon and Lyne Bessette taking the top spot in the general classification of the Tour of Belgium.

Both Molnar and Croteau have enjoyed a successful weekend in preparation for the UCI World Cup opener, winning both the road race and the time trials.

In the tour of Belgium, the tandem of Robbie World and Lyne Bessette won the overall general classification of the tour of Belgium. The tandem only stage race started on Thursday and featured two time trial races and four road races.

Canada’s tandem of Geneviève Ouellette and Émilie Roy took the third place in the women’s general classification.

In the men’s race, Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier was the top Canadian tandem in sixth place.

All results of the Pianceza Para-Cycling event (time trials) can be found at www.piancezaparacycling.it,, while the full results for the Tour of Belgium can be found at http://users.skynet.be/tandems.vige/resultaten.html.

May 21, 2012/by Communications

PENDREL, BATTY AND PLAXTON RACE TO TOP10 AT WORLD CUP IN FRANCE

Olympic qualifying window is now closed for mountain bikers

(La Bresse, FRA – May 20, 2012) The two Canadian Mountain Bike Champions Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC (Team Luna Pro) and Max Plaxton of Victoria, BC ), as well as Emily Batty (Subaru-Trek) all finished in the Top 10 in the last Olympic qualifying World Cup in La Bresse, France.

“The World Cup in La Bresse was really positive for the Canadian program. We are advancing at every level,” commented Dan Proulx, Canadian National Team Head coach for Mountain Bike. “The past three years have been about continuous improvement and growth. It’s great to see the improvements starting to show in our results.”

In the women’s race, three-time Canadian champion Catharine Pendrel took the fourth place of the 25.5 kilometre race, posting a time of 1:41.09. Emily Batty of Brooklin, ON (Team Subaru-Trek) went on to finish in ninth place with a time deficit of 3:51, scoring her third top 10 of the season on the World Cup Tour. Olympic medallist Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, QC, finished in 21^st position, showing a 8:51 time deficit over the winning time.

Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa posted the fastest time of the day and rode away with the victory, stopping the clock at 1:39.57.

In the men’s race, the defending Canadian champion Max Plaxton had a great ride, finishing in the Top10 for the first time this season. Plaxton completed the 30.30 km course in 1:40:24. Plaxton was the only Canadian to finish the race, as Derek Zandstra, Geoff Kabush and Adam Morka did not finish.

“Today was a break-through performance, said Plaxton. “The legs felt great. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne.”

The event in France was the last Olympic qualifying event for Mountain biking. The International Cycling Union will be shortly be unveiling the quotas per country. Entering the event, Canada had already secured two spots on the start line for both men and women’s mountain biking for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Canada’s Mountain Bike Olympic selection pool will be announced on June 8.

RESULTS – MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP – LA BRESSE, FRA

Men Elite

1. ABSALON Julien (FRA / ORBEA RACING TEAM) 1:37:33

2. KULHAVY Jaroslav (CZE / SPECIALIZED RACING) +0:07

3. NAEF Ralph (SUI / MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM) +0:40

4. VOGEL Florian (SUI / SCOTT – SWISSPOWER MTB RACING TEAM) +1:24

5. GIGER Fabian (SUI / RABOBANK GIANT OFFROAD TEAM) +1:41

9. PLAXTON Max (CAN) +2:51

83. ZANDSTRA Derek (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING)

DNF. KABUSH Geoff (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING)

DNF. MORKA Adam(CAN)

Women Elite

1. DAHLE FLESJAA Gunn-Rita (NOR / MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM) 1:39:57

2. NASH Katerina (CZE / LUNA PRO TEAM) +0:16

3. BRESSET Julie (FRA / BH – SR SUNTOUR – PEISEY VALLANDRY) +0 :55

4. PENDREL Catharine (CAN / LUNA PRO TEAM) +1:12

5. WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja (POL / CCC POLKOWICE) +2:22

9. BATTY Emily (CAN / SUBARU – TREK) +3:51

21. PREMONT Marie-Helene (CAN) +8:21

30. SIN Amanda (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING) +11:33

42. BERKENPAS Jean Ann (CAN) +16:11

May 20, 2012/by Communications

CANADIAN SEBASTIEN SALAS WINS KING OF THE MOUNTAIN JERSEY AT TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

King of the mountain jersey awarded to Best climber; Salas becomes second Canadian to ever win a jersey in California

(Los Angeles, CA – May 20, 2012) The Canadian Cycling Association would like to congratulate road cyclist Sebastien Salas of Team Optum-Kelly Benefit for winning the King of the Mountain jersey at the 2012 Amgen Tour of California.

From the first stage, Salas fought a tough battle with another Canadian, David Boily of Team SpiderTech. Boily took the jersey for first two stages. Salas went on the attack in the third stage, and took control of the KOM race. Since then, Salas has been wearing the coveted Polka-Dot jersey, a highly respected jersey awarded to the best climber.

Only one other Canadian won a jersey at the Amgen Tour of California – Dominique Rollin (FDJ-Big Mat) won the best sprinter jersey in 2008. Rollin and Ryder Hesjedal (Team Garmin-Barracuda) both won stages at the tour in previous years.

The Amgen Tour of California ended today after 1180 kilometers of racing.

May 20, 2012/by Communications

CLARA HUGHES REPEAT TIME TRIAL WIN IN GATINEAU

Fastest women on two wheels tackle the Chrono Gatineau Time Trial race

(Gatineau, QC – May 19, 2012) It was a beautiful day for a time trial race in glorious sunshine in Gatineau. Forty-seven cyclists participated in the Chrono Gatineau Rona, a time trial race of 18.4 km. The course was comprised of two laps of a 9.2 km loop, with a sharp hill of 500 m at 5.9% grade, as well as some technical corners including a roundabout difficult to negotiate.

The level of racing was very high and Specialized Lululemon was the team to beat with the winner of last year, the popular Clara Hughes (CAN), but also Amber Neben (USA), the American champion, Evelyn Stevens and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (GER). The other runners to watch was the Australian champion Shara Gillow (GreenEdge), track specialist Tara Whitten (CAN, Tibco to the top) and the British champion Nicole Cooke (Faren Honda Team).

The American Marty Shea (Destination Cycling) recorded very early a great time of 25:44.82, which remained the time to beat for nearly an hour. Powerful German rider Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (GER, Specialized Lululemon) finally managed to dislodge Shea with a very fast time of 24:38.45, averaging 44.88 km / h.

This time, however, was quickly beaten by Teutenberg’s teammate Evelyn Stevens (USA, Specialized Lululemon), The American time trial champion which flew along the first leg; the first rider riding the first hal under 12 minutes. Her time of 24:04.56 gave her an advantage of 34 seconds on Teutenberg and seemed very promising. Among the next riders, only Amber Neben (USA, Specialized Lululemon) was able to come close, posting a time of 24:16.44, 12 seconds slower.

The enthusiasm of the audience was growing while the last wave took the road. All eyes were on the last rider to take to the start, Clara Hughes, but more powerful riders were still racing. The Canadian Rhae Shaw (Canadian National Team) surprised everyone by recording a fast time of 24:51.42. Her compatriot Tara Whitten (Tibco to the top) did even better by flying the route with a final time of 24:27.24, the third best provisional, only 22 seconds slower than Stevens.

Three riders were still on the course: Shara Gillow, Nicole Cooke and the favorite Clara Hughes. Halfway through, Hughes was only a hundred meters from Cooke and quickly catching up – the crowd went wild when she was negotiating the roundabout on the heels of the British rider. While Gillow finished with a respectable time of 25:00.23, the world watched the clock: Clara had passed Cooke, and was heading towards the home stretch. The applause was deafening as she took the last turn to finish with the best time of 23:65.76, beating her teammate Evelyn Stevens by 7.8 seconds, with an average speed of 46.13 km / h.

At 39, Hughes showed she is one of the top riders in the world in the time trial. After the race, she said her motivation was excellent for the Olympics in London – after such a performance, Canadians will surely have their eyes fixed on her this upcoming July.

Another person was smiling was the team director of Team Specialized Lululemon, who placed four riders in the Top 5 with, only Tara Whitten able to challenge the supremacy of the German team.

With such a demonstration of excellence, the Specialized-Lululemon will be marked for the road race on Monday. But the other teams, especially GreenEdge, Faren Honda, Optum Kelly Benefits and Tibco have at heart to take their revenge.

The GP Cycliste Gatineau Hydro-Quebec and the Gatineau Chrono Rona are the only two CanadIan events sanctioned by the International Cycling Union (WE UCI 1.1). The Chrono Gatineau Rona to be held on May 19 is time trial of 18.4 km with two laps of a 9.7 km loop containing a climb of 500 m at 5.9% and some technical corners that should benefit the powerful riders. The Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau Hydro-Quebec is a road race of 134 km, 13 laps of a circuit of 10.18 km. The world’s top riders are expected during the long weekend in May in Gatineau.

In addition to the two women’s races, the Grand Prix will hold a provincial men’s race, a Gran Fondo, a family ride and many activities promoting cycling.

RESULTS – CHRONO GATINEAU (TIME TRIAL) – GATINEAU, QC

1 HUGHES Clara SPECIALIZED LULULEMO 23:56.76

2 STEVENS Evelyn SPECIALIZED LULULEMO 24:04.56 +7

3 NEBEN Amber SPECIALIZED LULULEMO 24:16.44 +19.68

4 WHITTEN Tara TIBCO – TO THE TOP 24:27.24 +30.48

5 TEUTENBERG Ina-Yoko SPECIALIZED LULULEMO 24:38.43 +41.67

6 SHAW Rhae CANADA NATIONAL TEAM 24:51.42 +54.66

7 SMALL Carmen OPTUM KELLY BENEFITS 24:59.10 +1:02.34

8 GILLOW Shara GREENEDGE-AIS 25:00.23 +1:03.47

9 RHODES Alexis GREENEDGE-AIS 25:24.19 +1:27.43

10 BEVERIDGE Julie CANADA NATIONAL TEAM 25:24.62 +1:27.86

May 19, 2012/by Communications