FRIGID NIGHT IN MONTREAL FOR THE TIME TRIAL RACE AT DÉFI-SPORTIF

Dominique Mainguy impresses National Team on very first cycling race

(Montreal, QC – April 27, 2012) The 2012 Para-cycling road season has officially started with the presentation of the time trial race at the Défi Sportif Alter-Ego, a race which went ahead despite frigid temperatures as Montreal is hit with a cold front.

Riders from several countries converged at the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack for the night races, braving extremely cold temperatures.

Rising star and Paralympic games hopeful Marie-Ève Croteau of Québec, QC and Shelley Gautier of Toronto, ON both two-time World Champions, rode to the first and second place respectively in the tricycle category. Both riders were riding on their new custom-built bikes for the very first time in a race, thanks to a partnership with Cycles Marinoni.

Also in the tricycle race was up-and-coming Dominique Mainguy of Québec, QC, a new rider who raced for the first time of her career. Mainguy, who swam recreationally to maintain form, contacted the Canadian Cycling Association last fall about participating in cycling races this summer. After a winter spent training on a trainer bike, Mainguy rode for the first time on the road three weeks ago. After a few outings, she opted to race on a more stable tricycle. Today, Mainguy placed fourth and showed she can be a contender in international races.

In the handcycling race, Mark Ledo of Maple, ON won the gold medal. Rico Morneau placed third while Mark Beggs took the fourth spot. Robbert Labbé finished in seventh place, and was the fastest of the H1 category.

In the tandem race, it was no surprise to see Thunder Bay’s Robbi Weldon and Lyne Bessette of Knowlton, QC cross the line with the fastest time. The tandem is the world champion in the event, sporting for the first time this season their brand new Rainbow jersey. Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier followed with the second fastest time, while the Québec tandem of Geneviève Ouellette and Emilie Roy came third. Making for the first time an appearance on the road after riding track for the last year, the tandem of William Stanley and Pierre-Olivier Boily raced for the first time together in an international road race and placed fourth.

In the standing C category, Matthieu Parent went on to take the second place, followed by Marie-Claude Molnar in third. The Calgary duo of Brayden McDougall and Jaye Milley placed fourth and fifth respectively, followed by Paralympic hall of famer Arnold Boldt in sixth. Eric Bourgeault place 11th.

At this international event, the final raw times are factorized using the same factors to be used at the Paralympic Games, this upcoming summer.

Tomorrow will be held the mass-start road races on the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack.