May 18/12 14:50 pm - Tour of Belgium: ParaCycling Weldon and Bessette tops

Posted by Editoress on 05/18/12
 

Robbi Weldon and her pilot Lyne Bessette stood out during the first day of the Tour of Belgium, for paracyclists, Thursday. The two Canadians were the fastest in the women's road race and finished second in the time trial, allowing them to finish first overall in the women's category.

"It has been good, despite Robbi's cold," said Lyne Bessette, of Brome Lake, of her first paracycling tour. "The 80 km course was difficult, with a number of false-flats and a headwind. "

Although the men and women are ranked separately at the Tour de Belgique, they do however start together. "This is an advantage for us to race with the guys. It allows us to push our limits."

"The men started a lap ahead, and when they caught us, we managed to draft them, which allowed us to drop the other women's teams," said Bessette.

Fifth in the time trial and sixth in the road race, Genevieve Ouellet of Amos, and her pilot Emilie Roy, of St. Cuthbert, are currently sixth in the women's overall standings.

Chalifour and Cloutier second in time trial

In men's race, Daniel Chalifour of Mont-Laurier and his pilot Alexandre Cloutier of St-Antoine-de-Tilly, took second place in the time trial. Their time of 6 min 34.631, put the two Quebecers second only to Timon and Alfred Stelleman (Fra), whose time was six minutes 8.827 for the 5.030 km distance.

"Other than for the Défi Sportif, we haven't ridden much together this year, so we didn't expect much confessed Alexandre Cloutier. But when we compare ourselves against the teams we know, it's a nice performance.

In the road race, the duo finished tenth. "I am pleased with the effort, but as we had not ridden much together, It worked my muscles. After the climbs, I had sore arms, just keeping the tandem steady, "he added.

The newly formed duo of Alberta's William Stanley and his pilot Pierre-Olivier Boily of Sherbrooke, participated in their first international race together. "It was a bit of the unknown," admitted Boily who finished ninth in the road race with his teammate. "We were conservative to be sure not to go 'bankrupt' after 20 kilometres. "

"We have been patient and I think it paid off. I think we proved that we belong on the international stage. We also had a good sprint finish. It shows that our tandem has qualities that should simply continue to grow, "he said.

Earlier in the day, Boily and Stanley finished seventh in the time trial. In the overall standings they also sit seventh.

Friday, an 80 km road race.

Translated from Sportcom press release (with assistance from Claire Bonin)


Results Day One