June 27/08 8:13 am - 2008 Road Nationals - CCA Preview

Posted by Editoress on 06/27/08
 

2008 Road Nationals Open with Time Trials for Para, Junior & Masters Cyclists
Report courtesy CCA

Para-cyclists battle for final Games spots at Tim Hortons Road Nationals

Canada's top Para-cyclists were in the spotlight Friday to open the Tim Hortons Road Nationals which will determine the final berths on the Canadian team for the Paralympic Games this September in Beijing.

One of Canada's top medal hopes in Para-cycling, Daniel Chalifour of Mont-Laurier, Que., and his guide Alexandre Cloutier of Quebec City, who are already assured a berth on the Olympic team, successfully defended their title in the men's tandem individual time trial. Brian Cowie and Devon Smibert, both of Vancouver, were second and Stephane Cote of Quebec City and Pierre-Olivier Boily of Sherbrooke, Que., third.

Last year, Chalifour and Cloutier were seventh at the world championships and won triple gold at the Pan Am Championships.

"We are obviously pleased with the victory," said Chalifour, who says their best event at the Games should be the pursuit on the track. "Last year we won by a wider margin but it is a different situation this year. The Canadian championships are an important step towards our major goal. We haven't maximized our form yet but we will in September."

Other victors in the Para-cycling time trial races were Rico Morneau of Ste-Martine, Que., in hand-cycling, Jean Quévillon of Ste-Adèle, Que., in the cerebral palsy division, Mark Breton of Charlesbourg, Que., in the LC division and Beijing-bound Geneviève Ouellet of Amos, Que., and her guide Mathilde Hupin-Debeurne of Bromont, Que., in the women's tandem.

Canada earned eight men's spots and two for the women for the Paralympic Games in Para-cycling. Three spots remain to be determined on the men's side.

Time trials were also held in able-bodied junior competition. In the women's race, Junior-aged rider Adrianne Provost of Quebec won the gold medal with Denise Ramsden of Kingston, Ont., second and Leah Kirchmann of St. Boniface, Man.

In the men's junior race, Cody Campbell of Surrey, B.C., was the victor with Hugo Houle of St. Augustin-de-Desmaur, Que., second and Simon Lambert-Lemay of Longueuil, Que., third.

The road nationals are divided into two parts. The Para-cyclists and juniors compete this weekend. Next week - July 4-6 - in St-Georges-de-Beauce the under-23 and elite riders are in action. Races are also being held for various age groups and the entire competition will attract more than 700 cyclists.