News – Page 194 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

MOUNTAIN BIKING WORLD CUP SERIES BEGIN THIS WEEK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Top Mountain bikers still fighting for their Olympic spot

(Pietermaritzburg, RSA – March 15, 2012) The 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Tour begins this weekend with both cross-country and downhill races in Pietermaritzburg, Republic of South African, and Canada will have its top stars competing either for the Canadian team or for their respective professional cycling teams.

In the women’s cross country race, all eyes will be turned on 2011 UCI World Champion Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC, who will be racing for Team Luna Pro. Pendrel will sport for the first time on the UCI World Cup the coveted Rainbow Jersey, awarded to the World Champion. Pendrel, a two-time defending Canadian Champion and 2010 UCI World Cup Champion, will be looking to start the season with a bang, but she will have stiff competition from other Canadian riders also fighting for an Olympic spot. Emily Batty of Brooklin, Ont. will be racing wearing the colours of Team Subaru-Trek, while Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, Que., will represent Team Rocky Mountain-Maxxis. Amanda Sin of Collingwood, Ontario, will also be in contention at the race with Team SCOTT-3Rox Racing.

Canada is ranked at top of the UCI Olympic rankings in women’s cross country, and ninth in the Men’s rankings. In 2011, three of Canada’s women finished in the Top 8 of the individual World Cup standings as the last season ended.

In the men’s cross-country race, Canada will have current Canadian Champion Max Plaxton of Victoria, BC wearing the Team Canada colours. Olympian and seven-time Canadian Champion Goeff Kabush of Courtenay, BC will race for the first time at a World Cup while representing Canadian-based Team SCOTT-3 Rox Racing, alongside his teammate Derek Zansdtra of Trenton, Ontario. Adam Morka of Toronto, ON will also take part in the South African race, with Team Trek Canada.

The event in South Africa is one of six events on the UCI World Cup calendar, and one of four remaining in the UCI Olympic rankings.

The UCI World Cup in South Africa will showcase the World’s top downhillers, including Canadian Steve Smith of Cassidy, BC, with Team DeVinci Global Racing Team.

The cross-country races will be held on Saturday, March 17, while the downhill races will be held on Sunday March 18.

Full program for the UCI World Cup in South Africa can be found here.

March 15, 2012/by Communications

LEAH KIRCHMANN TAKES SILVER AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Canada ends these Championships with seven medals

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 11, 2012) Leah Kirchmann of Winnipeg, MB took the silver medal in the women’s road race as the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships came to an end on Sunday in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

After 90 kilometers of racing, Kirchmann crossed the finish line in second place of a bunch sprint. In today’s finale, it was Cuban rider Yumari Gonzalez who was the fastest against Kirchmann and Janildes Fernandez of Brazil.

“I’m really excited that I won a silver for Canada. It’s one of my greatest achievements and it was one of my targeted races this season. The team worked really well together. We wanted a break so we played well off each other by continually attacking and putting pressure on the group. The Americans wanted a sprint so they brought back a lot of the attacks. It worked well for us in the end,” said Kirchmann, the 2011 Canadian Criterium Champion and winner of the 2011 Tour of Elk Grove.

“I really enjoyed my time in Argentina. The staff made our time easy as they were so helpful – we were well taken care of,” Kirchmann added.

Denise Kelly, Head coach of the Canadian Road Cycling Team, is happy with this podium performance. “I couldn’t be happier with the overall success of the team. Motivation was high all through the week, and the team cohesion was great and the athletes performed their best. It’s a great start to the season for us.”

Five other Canadians were in the race: Rhae Shaw of Seattle, WA, Denise Ramsden of Yellowknife, NWT, Karol-Ann Canuel of Amos, QC, Heather Logan-Sprenger of Madoc, ON, and Joanie Caron of Québec, QC.

The 12-lap, 90-kilometer race took place on a 7.5 kilometer circuit, which featured a sharp, 200m ascent soon after the start finish line, the biggest challenge for the riders.

Canada ended a very successful 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships, winning five medal on the track and two medals on the road.

March 11, 2012/by Communications

RHAE SHAW CONTINUES MEDAL STREAK FOR CANADA AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Shaw takes the silver medal in the road individual time trial race in Argentina

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 09, 2012) Rhae Christie-Shaw extended Canada’s success at the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, winning the silver medal in the road individual time trial race.

Shaw posted a time of 27:47.38 on the 20-km course stretching the Atlantic coast. The riders enjoyed a backwind on the first 10-km stretch, and suffered from a strong headwind on the way back to the finish line.

“I’m really excited to have brought home the silver medal back to Canada. It’s my first International Championship medal, said Rhae Shaw after the race. “It was really windy out on the course, a very difficult ride and I gave it my all. For my first time trial of the year, it’s a good indicator that training is going well and we learned a lot today to continue to improve.”

I’d like to thank the staff for all their help,” added Shaw.

Shaw came in seventh in the individual time trial at the 2011 UCI Road World Championships in Denmark.

American rider Amber Neben took the gold medal race, posting a time of 26:50.86, while Clemencia Da Silva of Brazil took the bronze medal with a time of 27:57.00.

Canadian rider Denise Ramsden of Yellowknife, NWT crossed the finish line with a time 29 :37.94 to take 6th place.

The silver medal by Shaw comes after five medals won at the velodrome by the Canadian Track Cycling Team.

The Pan-American cycling championships end on Sunday with the mass-start road race. Canada will have six riders on the start line.

March 9, 2012/by Communications

MONIQUE SULLIVAN WINS SECOND GOLD MEDAL AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sullivan takes the Pan-American Championships title in the Women’s Keirin in day filled with rain delays

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 08, 2012) Canada ended the track portion today at the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships with yet another gold medal, as Monique Sullivan of Calgary, Alberta won her second Gold medal, this time in the women’s keirin.

In a day filled with rain delays, Sullivan made her way to the decisive race, passing through the repechage rounds. In the gold medal race, she edged Daniela Gaxiola of Mexico in second and Jennifer Valente of the United States of America in third. Allison Beveridge, also of Calgary, placed in 9th place

“This was a great test of mental focus with several rain delays and lots of unknowns. I have put a lot of effort into the mental side of racing and it paid off today! I had a simple race plan, I stayed focused, and I executed a good ride. Venezuela and I will have our final face off for the Olympic spot at the World Championships next month. Can’t wait!” said Sullivan.

The women’s keirin title is the second earned by Sullivan at this important event for the Olympic qualification process.

Canada’s Track Cycling Team earned a total of five medals at this event, with Monique Sullivan winning two gold medals in the women’s sprint and keirin, the women’s team pursuit of Laura Brown, Stephanie Roorda and Allison Beveridge taking the Pan-American title, Travis Smith winning the bronze medal in bronze in the men’s kierin. Finally, the men’s team sprint squad of Travis Smith, Joseph Veloce and Hugo Barrette took the silver medal.

The competition also marked the first cycling race for Heather Moyse, who finished fourth in the 500m TT and fifth in the women’s sprint.

The 2012 Pan-American Championships road events will begin tomorrow with the time trial race, and Canada will have two riders on the start list: Rhae Shaw and Denise Ramsden.

March 8, 2012/by Communications

SIX CANADIAN WOMEN TO RACE ROAD EVENTS AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Both the Road Race and the Individual Time Trial will be held in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, this weekend

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 07, 2012) Six Canadian women will be racing in the road events at the 2012 Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina this weekend, hoping for great results that will earn Canada some coveted UCI points towards the Olympic qualification process.

Rhae Christie-Shaw, currently residing in Seattle, WA, who placed seventh in the Time Trials at the 2011 UCI World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark is headlining the crew of Canadian athletes.

She is joined by Denise Ramsden of Yellowknife, NWT, Leah Kirchmann of Winnipeg, MB, Karol-Ann Canuel of Amos, QC, Heather Logan-Sprenger of Madoc, ON, and Joanie Caron of Québec, QC.

Both Christie-Shaw and Ramsden will race both the time trials and the road race. The individual time trial race will be held on March 9th, while the mass-start road race will be on March 11th.

Canada did not bring any man to these Pan-American Championships since the Men’s Olympic qualification window is already closed.

Last year at the 2011 Pan-American Championships, Canadian cyclist Clara Hughes won both the road race and the time trial race.

March 7, 2012/by Communications

SULLIVAN TAKES GOLD MEDAL IN SPRINT, TRAVIS SMITH WINS BRONZE IN KEIRIN AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Calgary’s Monique Sullivan wins first international cycling completion, while Calgary’s Travis Smith takes bronze

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 06, 2012) Monique Sullivan and Travis Smith, two track cyclists from Calgary, Alberta, each won medals at the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, while Heather Moyse of Summerside, PEI rode to the fifth place of the women’s sprint, capping an extraordinary day for Canadians at the uncovered velodrome.

The women’s sprint event started yesterday, but with the extended rain delays, the final set of races were held today. Sullivan posted the fastest qualifying time yesterday at 11.486 seconds, and continued on her fast and winning ways on the second day of competition, all the way to the gold medal race. In the featured race, Sullivan defetead her rival, Cuban rider Lisandra Guerra who had the second fastest qualifying time. In the gold medal race, Guerra took the win in the first heat, but Sullivan came right back and won the second heat to push the race to the third and decisive heat, to decide the winner and Pan-American Champion.

“This was my first real international win, my first time hearing the Canadian national anthem while standing on the top step of the podium. I am really happy, Lisandra is a great competitor and this is my first time beating her head-to-head in a sprint. In the final, she won the first ride by an inch. In the second ride, I changed my tactic and won the round, pushing it to the third ride. I am extra pleased to have come back from being down in the first ride,” said Sullivan, the current Canadian Champion in the event.

Added Sullivan: “This is very special for me. There was a lot of pressure to perform here, and I knew I could do it, but to actually execute what I knew I could do, that’s special. This is very good for my Olympic qualification in the sprints, but nothing is confirmed until after the World Championships. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to qualify for a second event, the keirin.”

“I really want to thank everyone on the team (riders and staff) who have helped me improve over the past few years and also my sponsor PCL Construction who makes all the traveling possible,” concluded Sullivan.

Heather Moyse, an Olympic Gold medallist in the sport of bobsleigh and competitive rugby player who raced her career second cycling race, qualified ninth with a time of 12.246 seconds, and went on to win her first duel. In the second round, she went on to face her Canadian teammate. Monique Sullivan in her opening race. But Sullivan’s experience and momentum proved to be the determining factor, taking the victory. Moyse was then relegated to the 5-8th round, a race she went to win to take the fifth place of the overall standings.

BRONZE IN THE MEN’S KEIRIN

This day of competition also featured the men’s keirin race. Canada had Joseph Veloce of Fonthill, ON and Travis Smith entered in the race. Veloce won his opening race to earn his way to the semi-finals, while Smith failed to qualify and was relegated to the repechage round. Smith won the repechage rounds, and made it through the semi-finals.

In the final race of the day, Smith crossed the finish line in third place after leading most of the race, and took the bronze medal.

“Head coach Richard [Wooles] and I decided yesterday that I should ride the keirin today. The original plan was for the other two sprinters here to ride. As soon and we decided, I was nervous! I wanted to have a good ride to secure Olympic spot and get the points,” said Smith after the race.

“It started off slow for me as my legs felt a little flat and I was passed at the line of the first heat. This meant I was sent to the repechage rounds, to fight my way back into the rounds. I won my Rep and was back into the semi finals later in the day.

“When I got back to the track, I found that I was in the first heat with a world class set of riders. I took the front and lead for almost two laps to win the heat and advance to the finals. In the finals I drew the #6 rider and was at the back, when the bike pulled off I went to the front as I didn’t want to be in the mess of all the riders. Leading into a lap and a half, one of the Venezuela riders passed on the apron and took us all high. So I went from first to last, just like that! I kept fighting all the way to the line and ended up finishing third, and getting good Olympics qualifying points. I’m really excited how the races went I felt like I could have won the race, but this is racing and stuff happens. Next for me is the UCI Track World Championships in Australia, where my teammates and I will get to race the best in the world.”

Competition in Argentina resumes tomorrow.

March 6, 2012/by Communications

PAN-AMERICAN GOLD MEDAL FOR CANADIAN WOMEN’S TEAM PURSUIT SQUAD

Veterans Laura Brown, Stephanie Roorda and student Allison Beveridge takes top prize at Pan American Championships

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 05, 2012) Canada has proven again it has great depth in the Women’s Team Pursuit, winning the gold medal 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata.

The Canadian squad, comprised of Laura Brown of Vancouver, BC, Stephanie Roorda, also of Vancouver, and Allison Beveridge of Calgary, AB qualified with the second fastest qualifying time in the morning session, earning their ticket to the Gold Medal race.

In the decisive race, the powerful Canadian team faced off Venezuela, the fastest qualifiers, in the final. Despite posting a slower qualifying time than their rivals, the Canadian women stepped up with a new race place, and crossed the line in first place by posting the golden time of 3:33.540.

The track in Mar Del Plata is an uncovered, outdoor track made of concrete.

Laura Brown was thrilled with the victory, which came after lots of rain delays. “We qualified second this morning next to Venezuela but we had so much to improve on that it was a motivating position to be in. We reassessed our race plan and came up with something new and executed it perfectly. Anytime you nail a team pursuit, it feels pretty amazing. Steph and I have been national team teammates for many years now and it was great to be able to ride with youngster Allison Beveridge and get her hooked on WTP!”

A few weeks ago, at the UCI World Cup in London, Canada had three different riders competing in the Women’s Team Pursuit, and twice broke the Canadian mark in the event.

The performance in Argentina will significantly help Canada secure a spot for the Olympic Games. Entering the event, Canada was sitting in seventh place of the UCI Olympic standings, thanks in large part due to the silver medal performance posted during the Olympic Test event in London.

Both Stephanie Roorda and Laura Brown, seasoned veterans on the Canadian Track Cycling Team, were part of the Canadian Team who won the Gold medal at the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Allison Beveridge, who is just coming out of the Junior ranks, stepped up and rose to the challenge to race at this event. Beveridge took a break from her reading week to come and race. Since the last Los Angeles training session in December, Beveridge has been training in Calgary, on rollers, while attending the University of Calgary.

In December, Beveridge posted a strong time at the trials in Los Angeles, and showed great technical abilities. Early on, she was able to understand the rider transitions during the race, and earned her way to the Pan-American Championships based on her camp performance.

In terms of Olympic qualifications, this Gold medal will give Canada the maximum numbers of UCI points at grab. The points will allow Canada to head into the UCI World Championships without worrying about times and results, but to focus instead on improving on the technical aspects

The 2012 UCI World Championships will be the last time the Canadian Women’s Team Pursuit will race prior to the Olympic Games.

March 5, 2012/by Communications

MOUNTAIN BIKERS READY FOR SUCCESS IN 2012 AFTER SERIES OF TRAINING CAMPS

World Champion Catharine Pendrel pleased with support and training camps

(Ottawa, ON – March 05, 2012) Canada’s mountain bikers are ready for another exciting season, headlined by the 2012 UCI World Cup Tour, 2012 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, UK.

After a series of three training camps held in January and February in Palm Springs, California, and Victoria, British Columbia, the Canadian Mountain Bike Team is ready to shine once more on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Tour and at the 2012 Olympic Games.

In terms of the Olympic qualification process, Canada is currently sitting in first place of the Women’s UCI Olympic Ranking, while the Men are ranked in ninth place.

For the men, nations ranked first through fifth (1-5) will receive three spots, while nations ranked sixth to 13th (6-13) will bring two riders in London. For the women, the Top 8 nation will bring two riders to the Olympic start line.

Dan Proulx, Head coach of the Canadian Mountain Bike Team, has high expectations for the team this season, and feels confident of the team potential heading into the season.

“The team is definitely getting a lot stronger. They have been really working hard and training well together. We’ve been deliberately flying under the radar in terms of talking about our winter preparation program. It’s about getting the work done. There has been a lot of riding on terrain that is specific to the London course. We’ve also done a lot of mental preparation and rehearsal for the Games. We’ve been stressing all along that the Olympics are about grit, determination and hard work. We’re not expecting this to be easy.”

The current World Champion in women’s cross country, Catharine Pendrel (Kamloops, BC/Team Luna Pro) is excited for the season and acknowledged the support from partners of the Canadian Cycling Association: “Thanks to the support of Own The Podium, the Canadian Mountain Bike Team has been able to log some great training this winter. With both our road and Mountain bikes in tow, our goal has been to strengthen our already strong team on and off the bike. Everyone is looking great and excited for all the competitive challenges of this Olympic season!”

Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, BC/Scott-3Rox Racing Team), Olympian and seven-time Canadian Champion, was pleased with the atmosphere at the camps: “The camaraderie and atmosphere amongst the Canadian Mountain Bike Team has been building for several years now. Coming into the 2012 Olympic year, the confidence, support, and momentum behind the team seems to be at an all-time high. Every time we get together I feel like we are building the foundation needed and moving one step closer towards our Olympic goals.”

The 2012 Mountain Bike Season kicks off with a World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa from March 17-19. A month later, April 13-15, the UCI World Cup Tour moves to Houffalize in Belgium. Then, the world’s top mountain bikers will battle it out for the remaining two World Cups part of the Olympic qualifying period in Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic and La Bresse, France in May.

June will feature the North American leg of the tour, featuring Olympic-nominated athletes embarking on their final preparations as they participate in the World Cup races in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec and Windham, New-York. In late July, the World’s top riders will go head-to-head for the final time before the Olympic Games, racing in Val d’Isère, France.

The Olympic Mountain Bike races are scheduled for August 11th for the women and August 12th for the men.

March 5, 2012/by Communications

SILVER MEDAL FOR CANADA’S MEN TEAM SPRINT IN ARGENTINA

Heather Moyse races to fourth place in career first cycling race

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 04, 2012) The Canadian squad rose to the challenge in the Men’s Team Sprint at the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, winning the silver medal on Friday to open the critical event for Canada’s Track Cycling Team.

The squad comprised of Travis Smith of Calgary, AB, Joseph Veloce of Fonthill, ON and Hugo Barrette of Cap-Aux-Meules, QC, qualified for the gold medal race in the morning qualifications, and went on to face the United States of American in the evening.

As Travis Smith explains, the United States had the race of their lives to win the gold.: “We finished 2nd. All of us improved our times, but the American second rider had the ride of his life tonight to help the Americans win. In our first ride it was so windy I was just struggling my whole last lap, but the final I went down a gear and felt much better.”

In the bronze medal match, Argentina edged to the finish line Canada’s main rivals in the hunt for the last Olympic spot, Venezuela, who placed fourth.

Heather Moyse of Summerside, PEI, who suited up for Canada for the first time in a cycling race, also rose to the occasion and proved that she was a contender among an international field. Moyse posted the fourth fastest time of the 500m Time Trial at 36.207 seconds. Cuba’s Guerra Lisandra was the fastest by posting a time of 34.601 seconds.

Competition resumes today in Argentina, with the Men’s Sprint, where Smith and Veloce will battle it out in yet another important event for Canada’s Olympic qualifications.

March 4, 2012/by Communications

TRAVIS SMITH LEADS CANADIAN SPRINTERS AT 2012 PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Travis Smith takes sixth place, Joseph Veloce right behind in seventh, and Hugo Barrette cracks Top 12

(Mar del Plata, ARG – March 04, 2012) A day after riding to the silver medal in the men’s team sprint event, the three sprinters were back in action at the 2012 UCI Pan-American Championships in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Sunday featured the men’s individual sprint events, where Travis Smith of Calgary, AB, the 2010 Pan-American Champion, rode to the sixth place. In seventh place came Joseph Veloce of Fonthill, ON. Finally, Canada’s third sprinter in Argentina, Hugo Barrette of Cap-Aux-Meules, took the 12th position.

“My day started off pretty good qualifying in fifth place, with a 10.5 seconds 200m. I made it through into the next rounds to race in the 1/16th finals. Unfortunately I lost my race to the Columbian, and had to come through the repechage rounds to make it into the quarter finals. Unfortunately this meant I got paired against the fastest qualifier, where I lost only by inches. In the 5-8 final, my plan was to lead it out, which I did with two laps to go, and ended up finishing sixth. I was happy with how the day went,” said Travis Smith, of Calgary.

Despite a slower qualifying time and a seventh place, Veloce was happy with the experience and the precious UCI points gathered for Canada in Argentina.

“Racing today started out a bit slow, not qualifying quite as well as I would have liked. However, we all managed to turn it around in the sprint rounds. Overall, I was really happy with the way I raced, finishing seventh. The races were all close, and I learned a lot. We don’t get many chances to sprint throughout the year, so it was a great opportunity to gain some valuable sprinting experience and have some fun. We managed to earn some points on our competitors for an Olympic sprint spot, so now it is just a waiting game as we wait to see the results of the semis and finals, and refocus for our last day of racing here in the keirin!,” commented Veloce.

Hugo Barrette, the young rookie sprinter, is happy to come out of these Championships with a silver medal.

“My day started with a pretty bad 200m for me, qualifying in 13th place. In the 1/16th finals I won, to guarantee me top 12. In the 1/8th final I lost my first ride against Njisane Phillip, and in the repechage I lost against Hersony, and Blatchford, to finish overall 12th. I’m disappointed by my performance, but since we put all our effort for the team sprint, where we finished 2nd, I am not too bitter about my individual performance,” explained Barrette.

Racing in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, resumes tomorrow.