MIKE WOODS TOP CANADIAN AT IMOLA ROAD WORLDS
Imola, Italy (September 28, 2020) – Canada capped off the 2020 UCI Road World Championships in Imola, Italy with a strong ride from Mike Woods in the men’s road race, who ultimately finished 12th after 260 kilometers in the saddle. Over the four days of competition, ten Canadians lined up in the elite women and men’s individual time trials and road races.
“I was able to move well through the peloton but just wasn’t able to execute properly on the final climb. I was too far back when the move went and it cost me; I just didn’t have the legs to get across to that group,” said Woods. “Not the best day, but not awful, considering where I have come from [broken leg earlier in the year] and where I was at the start of the year.”
On Saturday, Alison Jackson showed off her form in the women’s road race by attacking and leading a strong breakaway that gained a maximum advantage of two minutes. She was finally caught with 50 kilometers to go and finished in 30th place.
“It was good to represent Canada at the front and execute our plan as a team. I think we were showing that the Canadian women had great representation in a world championship field. I was proud to wear the maple leaf and give our Canadian fans an exciting race to watch,” said Jackson.
In the individual time trials, Leah Kirchmann finished 21st with Karol-Ann Canuel in 22nd. Alex Cataford finished 41st in the men’s race against the clock.
Canadian athletes still have a full race calendar ahead of them, with Woods and Houle headed for the Ardennes Classics. Cataford is set to make his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia, while Guillaume Boivin will be racing the Northern Classics. The Women’s WorldTour resumes on Wednesday with the La Fleche Wallonne Féminine where Canuel, Kirchmann, Jackson and Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin will be in action.
