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/