News – Page 186 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

RYAN ROTH TAKES CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLE

(Lac Mégantic, QC) Ryan Roth (Team SpiderTech) will proudly bear the maple leaf jersey for the next year following his victory in the road race at the 2012 Canadian Road Championships, which were held in Lac-Megantic.

Antoine Duchesne (Garneau-Quebecor) claims for his part the Canadian champion’s jersey in the U23 category.

Riders with Team Spidertech, with a full contingent, were seen as favorites before the start of the race. They also placed four riders in a breakaway that held on for a hundred of the 180 kilometers that the race lasted. The break even took a lead of six minutes before the peloton decided to close the gap.

The work of Michael Barry (Team Sky), Dominique Rollin (FDJ-Big Mat), Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEDGE) and Christian Meier (Orica-GreenEDGE), all world class riders, managed to close the gap. David Veilleux (Europcar) has also done extensive work in the bunch, but a flat tire made him lose precious time.

After the seven climbs of the Mount Morne, riders headed back to the municipality of Lac-Megantic with a breakaway of four riders led by Michael Barry. The latter has been very active throughout the race and it was finally at the finish line that the race was decided, with Roth taking the win with a one second lead (4:35:21) on Barry, while Marsh Cooper (Optum-Kelly Benefit) crossed the line in third with the same time for third place.

“It was so tight at the finish line,” said the new Canadian champion. “I did not even raise my arms for fear of being passed. It’s always hard to do a sprint finish, and I wanted the victory. When the peloton decided to react to catch the breakaway, the tempo became very high with the work of Tuft, Barry, Rollin, and Veilleux. When Michael decided to take the lead, I followed him. He worked very hard. With four of our guys in the break, there was Michael and I could try something in the mountain.”

In the U23 race, Antoine Duchesne, also fourth in the Elite race, savored his victory that completed an all-Quebec podium in the category, with David Boily (SpiderTech) in second place and Hugo Houle (Spidertech) in third.

“It’s been four years since I had not won, so this win is very satisfying. I was a little apprehensive at first because I was not feeling well, I had stomach pain. But as the race progressed, I felt better and when we returned to town, I felt fine. When I had the opportunity to breakaway, I did it with François Parisien and Nic Hamilton. At six or seven kilometers from the finish, I went alone on a hill and I keep this position to the end.  Fourth place among the Elite and a Canadian title in the U23, I could not ask for a better day.”

FULL RESULTS: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CANADIEN-RESULTATS-ROUTE-HOMME.pdf

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VIDEO RECAP – DENISE RAMSDEN WINS WOMEN’S ROAD RACE

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RAMSDEN CROWNED CANADIAN CHAMPION

The Canadian women’s road cycling scene has a new champion. And not once but twice, since by winning her first national title, Denise Ramsden (Optum-Kelly-Benefit) also won the U23 title.

The rider originally from the Northwest Territories completed this week full of emotions, as Thursday, Cycling Canada announced that she would be part of Olympic road cycling squad, along with Clara Hughes and Joëlle Numainville. The girls have traveled a total of 104.5 kilometers with twice climbing the challenging ascent at Mount Morne.

Among the Elites, Hughes took the second place after being overtaken in a sprint by Ramsden, and it’s Joelle Numainville who finished third in a sprint. An All-Olympic podium.

“It’s really wonderful to see that the three girls chosen for the Olympic team find themselves on the podium,” said Clara Hughes (Lululemon-Specialized). It’s also good to come back after 20 years, to Megantic, the place of my first national title in cycling. Denise attacked a lot during the race, and with 20 kilometers to go left in the race. I managed to link up with her and I asked her if she had the energy to work with me.”

Before the affirmative answer from Ramsden, the two took off. “I worked a little more than her, but it’s okay. I would have done the same thing in her place. And everything was decided in the sprint. The two girls who do not sprint finished the race in a sprint.”

On the top step of the podium, Denise Ramsden fully savored her victory. “It’s really fantastic to don the jersey of National Champion. My team did a great job and everything worked well, according to the strategy that we implemented. When I left on a breakaway, I saw that Clara was trying to reach me. She is very strong. We worked together but of course she was doing the bulk of the work. At the end we were wondering how to finish the sprint because we are not girls who are recognized for sprint finishes. Fortunately, Joëlle (Numainville) gave me good advice.”

In the U23 category, Jasmin Glaesser (CyclingBC) finished second while Annie Ewart (Optum) finished third behind the champion Denise Ramsden.

FULL RESULTS: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CANADIEN-RESULTATS-ROUTE-FEMME.pdf

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VIDEO RECAP – TIME TRIALS

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TUFT – UNDISPUTED

Lac-Mégantic – Svein Tuft (Orica Greenedge) is the undisputed king of the individual time trials in Canada. He gave a cycling lesson to the other participants in the race by posting a time of 47:26 on the 39 km course, earning his fifth consecutive Canadian title and eighth overall.

Earlier in the day, Hughes also showed dominance with her great first place after travelling the 30 kilometers course. She has also been confirmed today on the Canadian Olympic team, along with Joelle Numainville and Denise Ramsden In men, Ryder Hesjedal who participate in the Tour de France will be the Canadian representative in London.

Christian Meier (Orica Greenedge) took second place in the elite men at 2:08 behind the winning time, while Hugo Houle (SpiderTech) finished third and  also ranked as the top U23 rider.

“I have been putting a lot of emphasis in the time trials,” said Svein Tuft. “I recovered well from the Giro d’Italia, and today it is the dedication of all the efforts that the technical team has made. It was perfect today. I’m really happy. I just did 12 minutes of warming up in the heat. I was super hydrated in the last two days. Also, I understand the decision of Cycling Canada for choosing Ryder (Hesjedal). The problem is just that Canada has a single spot in the Olympics.”

The time posted by Hugo Houle in the Time Trial was also excellent. “It was very difficult because of the heat. When Svein caught me, it gave me a big blow to morale. I knew I was going very well. That is why in the last lap, I put my head down and I gave everything I could. It has been 30 minutes since the race is over, and I’m still tired.”

Clara Hughes will be making her sixth appearance at the Olympics, three of them being Summer Games. “I am very pleased to have been chosen. I am really motivated and we will have a great team in London. Today it was important for me to win here. I love wearing the Canadian champion jersey.”

Joëlle Numainville, her first Olympic team makes her really happy. “I am so happy to be riding with Clara, she is such a good athlete. It will help a lot with her experience. I will be at the service of the team, and the important thing is that someone from team step on the podium, nothing less.”

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Operation Build More Ryders!

OPERATION BUILD MORE RYDERS!

John Henry Bikes wants to support the development of cycling in Canada (and match your donation), to help youth discover the sport and to challenge the Read More best to represent our country on the world stage.

To accomplish this, more cycling programs are needed, as is access to training facilities, coaching and races. And to do all of that, the Cycling Canada needs more funding. So please give to this group.

All the money raised here will be generously matched by John Henry Bikes (up to $25,000!) and given to Cycling Canada.

Ryder Hesjedal just put Canadian cycling on the map by winning the Giro D’Italia – let’s support a new generation of Ryders

For more information and to donate please go to: http://bit.ly/build-more-ryders

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HESJEDAL, HUGHES LEAD CANADIAN ROAD CYCLING TEAM AT OLYMPIC GAMES

Ryder Hesjedal, Clara Hughes, Denise Ramsden and Joëlle Numainville to race for Canada in London

(Lac Mégantic, QC – June 21, 2012) Cycling Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee, is pleased to announce the four road cycling nominees to the Canadian Olympic team. Canada’s road cycling team will be comprised of Ryder Hesjedal, Clara Hughes, Joëlle Numainville and Denise Ramsden.

Canada qualified one athlete in the men’s road race, and three athletes in the women’s road cycling events at the 2012 Olympic Games, this summer.

The men’s team will be managed by Gord Fraser, while Denise Kelly will lead the women’s team. Gord Fraser, who joined the Canadian road program last fall, is a current directeur sportif for an American-based continental cycling team Competitive Cyclist Racing Team, while Denise Kelly has been dedicated to growing the Canadian women’s road program for the last three seasons with Cycling Canada.

Ryder Hesjedal, Canada’s road cycling star and recent winner the famed Giro d’Italia with his professional cycling team Garmin-Barracuda, will represent Canada in the time trial and road race at the Olympic Games. Canada qualified only one spot in the men road events, and Hesjedal will have to take on double duties. Hesjedal is a former Canadian Mountain Bike Champion, and competed for Canada in the road events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

“I am honored and excited to represent Canada in the Olympic Games. It is my hope that the sport of cycling continues to grow in Canada and that the spirit of the Olympics shines an even greater spotlight on it. I am extremely proud to represent Canada,” said Hesjedal, from Europe where he trains and prepares for the upcoming Tour de France.

Hesjedal turned professional with Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team in 2005. Since then, he managed to become a General classification leader for Garmin-Barracuda, In 2010, Hesjedal emerged as a true contender for major cycling races, finishing sixth at the Tour de France.

In the women’s road cycling, Canadian multiple Olympic medallist Clara Hughes, member of Team Specialized-Lululemon, will race for Canada in both the road race and time trial. At the most recent UCI World Championships, Hughes finished fifth in the individual time trial.

Hughes, who returned to cycling after a successful career in long-track speedskating, has had previous success in cycling at the Olympic Games. The versatile athlete won two medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, both bronze medals coming in road events.

“It will be my sixth Olympic Games and yet I still feel the same pride and joy to represent my country. After twelve years, I am excited to compete again at the summer Olympics. I am heading to London with the confidence that I could not be better prepared to perform at my best in London,” commented Hughes.

Last season, Hughes won both the road race and the time trial at the 2011 UCI Pan-American Championships, as well as other prestigious women races such as the Tour of the Gila. In addition to winning these races, Hughes climbed on the podium in other major races in 2011, such as the Cascade Classic and the Mount Hood Classic. Since making her return to cycling two seasons ago, Hughes won back-to-back Canadian Championships in the time trial, as well as twice winning the Chrono Gatineau. She stepped on the podium in every major international time trial this season and assisted her teammates to win World Cups and international stage races.

At the 2012 Olympic Games, Clara will be attempting to re-write the history books with the opportunity to become Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all-time. Currently, Hughes is tied with former teammate and long-track speedskater Cindy Klassen with six Olympic medals.

Arguably Canada’s best sprinter in a road race, Joëlle Numainville of Montreal, QC will also be to the start line in London. Numainville has had a successful career to date, winning in 2010 the Canadian Road Championships. This season, she has risen to the occasion riding with continental team Optum-Kelly Benefits, stepping on the podium of the Redland Bicycle Classic, the San Dimas stage race as well as the Merco Classic. Sporting the maple leaf, she took third place at the famed World Cup, Tour of Flanders.

“I am very pleased to represent Canada at the Olympic Games in London. I admire the girls on the team. I will give my 100%. I can bring a lot to the team, at different level,s and at the same time, I will do my best to be part of the final sprint. I know girls from other countries because I have been racing with them for several years. I can not wait!”

In addition to racing with her professional cycling team, Numainville has always accepted invitation to represent for Canada at major international event. She was the top Canadian rider at last season’s UCI World Championships, taking the 12th position, and represented Canada at the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2010, she attended the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, and took the sixth spot of the road race.

Numainville and Hughes will be joined Denise Ramsden, who also races with Team Optum-Kelly Benefit. Ramsden will race both the road race and time trial in London. In addition to showing potential for a great time trial result, Ramsden will be an integral component for Canada in the road race, serving as sound and respected teammate for Numainville and Hughes. Over the years, she has demonstrated strong bike handling capabilities in large peloton, as well as consistent results.

“Going to the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was 4 years old,” said Ramsden. “I’m very proud and excited to be nominated to the Canadian team. I have had the opportunity to represent Canada at World championships and the Pan American Games, but the chance to represent Canada at the Olympics is on another level entirely. I hope to be able to help our team win a medal in the road race for Canada.”

Earlier this season, Ramsden took the sixth position in the time trial at the Pan-American Championships, and finished seventh in the same discipline at the 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ramsden raced for Canada in the last two World Championships as an elite.

Canada won three medals in the road events at Olympic Games. Steve Bauer, current owner of Canada’s only professional cycling squad Team SpiderTech powered by C10, won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. In the women’s race, current nominee Clara Hughes won two Olympic medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

ROAD CYCLING NOMINEES – CANADIAN OLYMPIC TEAM

Ryder HESJEDAL (Victoria, BC) [Men Road, Men Individual Time Trial]
Clara HUGHES (Glenn Sutton, QC) [Women Road Race, Women Individual Time Trial]
Joelle NUMVAINVILLE (Montréal, QC) [Women Road Race]
Denise RAMSDEN (Yellowknife, NWT) [Women Road Race, Women Individual Time Trial]

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LONDON-BOUND : Mountain Bikers

PENDREL, BATTY, KABUSH AND PLAXTON NOMINATED TO CANADIAN OLYMPIC TEAM

Canadian mountain bikers to shine in London

(Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC – June 20, 2012) Cycling Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee, is pleased to announce the nomination of Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Geoff Kabush and Max Plaxton to the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team set to compete at the Olympic Games this upcoming summer.

Canada qualified the maximum two spots for the women’s race, and two spots for the men’s race.

The Canadian women’s team has excelled over the last two years, currently sitting in first place of the UCI Nations standings.

“We’re just thrilled to welcome our four intrepid mountain bikers to the nominees for the Canadian Olympic Team,” said Mark Tewksbury, Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission for London 2012. “Our Team and the excitement about Canada’s performance in London grow stronger by the day!”

“Canadian athletes are among the best in the world and we are looking so forward to watching them compete in London,” said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “Congratulations to all four mountain biking nominees; I know you will all continue to give your everything this summer as you ride toward your Olympic dreams.” 

The Canadian mountain bike program is led by Head Coach, Dan Proulx (Victoria, BC) who has been at the helm of the program for the past four years. During that time, the mountain bike program has been revamped and has improved significantly.

Proulx is proud of the team heading to London: “We have a very strong team. Each of the riders has proven themselves among the best in the World. I am extremely proud of them. I know they will ride with courage in London – inspiring other Canadian mountain bikers to pursue their dreams at the highest level of the sport.”

The team is led by Catharine Pendrel (Kamloops, BC/Team Luna Pro). The reigning World Champion and four-time consecutive Canadian Champion, will be competitive. Pendrel, who placed fourth in Beijing, enjoyed significant success in London at the Olympic test event, winning the race.

“I am thrilled to be representing Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London, and will do my best to give Canada a performance to cheer for and be proud of,” commented Pendrel, who is in contention for the UCI World Cup leader’s jersey, currently in second place.

Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON/Team Subaru-Trek), the young mountain bike star in the making, has also made the cut thanks to a rapid rise since riding in the Elite category. Batty, a four-time U23 Canadian Champion (2007-2010), has enjoyed immediate success on the World Cup scene, finishing eighth in the World Cup standings in her rookie season, last year. This season, Batty rose to the occasion from the first World Cup race, earning her career first podium performance on the UCI World Cup by taking the second place in South Africa.

“This is hopefully the beginning to an amazing path in sport. Not only am I thrilled to represent Canada in my first Olympics, I am confident the Canadian Mountain Bike team will be doing something special in London 2012 this year,” said Batty, currently sitting in fifth place of the World Cup standings.

The Olympic nomination for Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, BC/SCOTT-3RoxRacing) comes with no surprise. The seven-time Canadian Champion is by far the most experienced Canadian mountain biker, and has always risen to the occasion at major events.

“The Olympic Games stands out above all events in the sporting world. This will be my third opportunity to proudly represent Canada and I feel uniquely prepared for the challenge in 2012. I’m extremely motivated and focused and I’m heading to London with a lot of confidence. With my experience and the support behind me I ready to perform in the spotlight of the Olympic Games. The Canadian MTB team is the strongest I’ve ever seen and I’m really excited to be part of it” – Geoff Kabush

Max Plaxton (Victoria, BC/Specialized Racing USA) is the two-time Canadian Champion in the elite category, and has enjoyed a rise in the last two years, winning in 2011 the USA Pro XCT Series. On the UCI World Cup Tour, Plaxton is consistently progressing higher and higher in the standings, and holds a promising future in the sport.

Earlier at the recent World Cup in La Bresse, France, Plaxton went on to crack the Top10 for the first time.

“It’s a huge honor to be selected to the represent Canada in the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games. I’ve worked extremely hard the last 4 years to make this goal a reality. I’m excited about both the experience and the challenge of racing the world’s best mountain bikers in London,” expressed Plaxton, the top Canadian on the World Cup tour in 23rd place.

Both Geoff Kabush and Catharine Pendrel have previous Olympic experience. Pendrel finished fourth in her first Olympic Games experience in Beijing, while Kabush has been to two past Olympic Games. He finished 9th in Sydney, and 20th in Beijing.

In the history of mountain bike at the Olympics, Canada won two medals. Alison Sydor won the silver medal at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, while Marie-Hélène Prémont also earned a silver medal at the 2004 Games in Athens.

The mountain bike races will be held on the last two days of the Olympic Games, on August 11 for the women’s race and August 12 for the men’s race.

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CHALLENGE SPRINT – SUNDAY, 4:30PM

The Challenge Sprint is a series of sprints between three to six U23/Elite men road cycling athletes, with a simple elimination process in order to determine the best road sprinter. Sprints will be contested over a distance of 800 meters, the same way as if it were a sprint finish of a road race. The winner will qualify for the Challenge Sprint Pro. The event takes place in Lac-Megantic at 16h30, June 24th.

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CANADIAN ROAD CYCLING TEAM IMPRESSES IN BEAUCE

Christian Meier and Svein Tuft third and fourth in General classification

(St. Georges de Beauce, QC – June 17, 2012) The Canadian Road Cycling Team took part in the prestigious Tour de Beauce, and emerged as one of the top teams throughout the six-day race, with two of its riders in the Top 5 of the general classification.

The Tour de Beauce is Canada’s premier stage race, and has been running every year since 1986.

Svein Tuft, who rides at the WorldTour level for Team Orica-GreenEDGE, easily won the fourth stage, the individual time trial, and finished the general classification in fourth place, behind winner Rory Sutherlands of Team UnitedHealthCare, Team SpiderTech’s Hugo Houle and his long-time friend and Canadian Cycling Team teammate Christian Meier in third.

Both Tuft and Meier proudly wore the Maple Leaf in this race, taking a small break from riding with their WorldTour team, and helped Canada to finish in third place of the team standings.

Nic Hamilton had a great run for the King of the Mountain in the fifth and sixth stages, taking the provisional lead in the fifth and second last stage, but dropped it on the last day of the competition as Optum Kelly Benefit’s Ken Hanson.

Beauce was not only a platform for Tuft and Meier to excel, but it turned out to be the revelation of Michael Woods, of Ottawa, ON. The 25-year-old rider from Stevens powered by The Cyclery surged in his first international cycling race, and first major stage race, to finish in 20th place of the general classification, and was a favorite among his teammates. At the events, woods turned the heads of many directeur sportifs, and this race could bring a lot of positives down the road for the relatively new cyclist.

Rory Sutherland of Team UnitedHealthcare won the general classification, after taking the provisional lead on the fifth stage, and protected it through the last stage.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION – 2012 TOUR DE BEAUCE

1. SUTHERLAND, Rory UNITEDHEALTHCARE PRO CYCLING TEAM 19:07:19

2. HOULE, Hugo SPIDERTECH P/B C10) +0:19

3. MEIER, Christian (ÉQUIPE NATIONALE DU CANADA) +0:43

4. TUFT, Svein (ÉQUIPE NATIONALE DU CANADA) +1:06

5. COOKE, Mattew (EXERGY) +1:07

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20. WOODS, Michael (ÉQUIPE NATIONALE DU CANADA) +3:58

49. HAMILTON, Nic (ÉQUIPE NATIONALE DU CANADA) 26:13

55. WIGHT, Stuart (ÉQUIPE NATIONALE DU CANADA) 40:47

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