April 5/01 10:33 am - New Brunswick Centre, Trinidad Project, Okanagan Camp, Birthday

Posted by Editor on 04/5/01
 

Luc Arseneau becomes Head Coach of the National Cycling Development Centre in Dieppe.

Dieppe, April 4th, 2001 - After more then 18 months of continuous work, the committee of the Atlantic Canadian national cycling centre is putting the last efforts before the official opening. Following a national job advertisement, the parties are now announcing the hiring of Luc Arseneau as Head Coach of the National Cycling Development Centre in Dieppe. Arseneau will officially begin in his new functions on April 9th.

In addition to have been part of the New Brunswick team for many years, Luc Arseneau is currently completing his level IV of the National Coaching Certification Program. " His years of experience on different projects with the National Team as well as his knowledge of the cycling situation in the Atlantic provinces made him a perfect candidate. " It is in those recent words that Pierre Hutsebaut, director of the National Programs of the Canadian Cycling Association, commented the hiring of Luc Arseneau.

As for the new coach, he is very happy to see such a challenge proposed to him: " I leave my current job with Cross Country New Brunswick with emotions to devote myself to my predilection sport. To work at the development of the Centre in Dieppe, to develop cycling in general in Atlantic Canada, as well as to keep on working with the National team athletes, represent a logical path for my career as well as for my personal objectives. "

This National Development Centre will offer, starting this summer, many programs touching all aspects of competitive cycling. The Centre will offer programs going from mountain bike schools to the development of personalized training schedules as well as regional events organization. The construction of the velodrome in June will enable us to develop an additional aspect of cycling (track) and will also serve as a training tool.

We are already working at the development of the 2001 program that should be announced within the next few weeks.


Luc Arseneau devient l'entraîneur-chef du Centre de développement national cycliste à Dieppe.

Dieppe, le 4 avril 2001 - Après 18 mois de travail continu, le comité de mise sur pied d'un centre national d'entraînement dans la région Atlantique en est à mettre la touche finale avant l'ouverture officielle. Suite à un concours lancé sur la scène nationale, les partis se sont entendus sur l'embauche de Luc Arseneau à titre d'entraîneur-chef du Centre de développement national cycliste à Dieppe. M. Arseneau entrera officiellement dans ses fonctions le 9 avril prochain.

En plus d'avoir porté les couleurs de l'équipe du Nouveau-Brunswick pendant plusieurs années, Luc Arseneau complète présentement le niveau IV du Programme national de certification des entraîneurs. " Ses quelques années d'expérience à travailler sur différents projets de l'équipe canadienne ainsi que sa grande connaissance de la situation du cyclisme dans les provinces de l'Atlantique en font le candidat idéal pour ce poste. " C'est en ces termes que s'exprimait récemment Pierre Hutsebaut, directeur des programmes nationaux à l'Association cycliste canadienne au sujet de l'embauche de Luc Arseneau.

Quant au principal intéressé, il se dit très heureux de se voir offrir un tel défi. " Je quitte mon emploi actuel avec Ski de fond Nouveau-Brunswick avec émotions pour me consacrer à mon sport de prédilection. Veiller au développement du Centre de Dieppe et du cyclisme en général dans le Canada Atlantique, en poursuivant mon travail avec les coureurs de l'Équipe nationale, représente à la fois un cheminement logique dans ma carrière et dans mes objectifs personnels. "

Ce centre national de développement offrira dès cet été des programmes de tout genre touchant tous les aspects du cyclisme de compétition. Le Centre offrira des programmes allant des écoles de vélo de montagne à l'élaboration de programmes d'entraînement en passant par l'organisation d'événements régionaux. La construction d'un vélodrome en juin permettra de développer un autre aspect du cyclisme (la piste) et servira aussi d'outil d'entraînement.

Nous sommes déjà à travailler à la programmation 2001 qui devrait être annoncée d'ici quelques semaines.


Trinidad Track Camp
(courtesy Kurt Innes)

Well, we made it down to the friendly island of Trinidad. 12 hours of travel, leaving behind the 40 + centimeters of snow in Calgary and arriving into the +25 degree heat was quite a turn around! We are here in Trinidad, southernmost island in the British West Indies (only 11 Kilometers north of Venenzueala). The island is very nice, and we are located in the capitol city of Port of Spain.

We are here for 3 weeks, and will take part in the reincarnation of the West Indies cycling scene. Racing on the islands in the Caribbean has seen its share of up and downs in rider participation, funding, and press. This latest attempt by Michael Phillips ( a Trinidad organizer, and ex national team athlete) looks to have the full support of local business men, along with BWIA airlines, and of course the local velodrome/ cricket pitch where we will be racing each evening.

The racing begins on Friday night, and runs each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the next 3 weekends. There is also a criterium planned next Wednesday night, along with a short hill climb on the following Wednesday following Easter weekend.

Our Canadian team is composed of 6 athletes for this tour. The format of the racing necessitates our team being split into 2 teams of 3 riders each. 1 team of 3 will race international for the first weekend, with the other team of 3 racing in category 1. The international field will include 8 other countries, including Belgium, Denmark, England, Wales, Scotland, USA, Barbados, Guyana, and of course Trinidad. The category 1 field will include many local athletes from Trinidad and this will challenge our 2nd team to their maximal.

Erica and I both survived the trip okay, along with Jim Fisher, Lars Madsen, Steen Madsen, Keith Bruneau, Tyler Hansen and Alex Maurais. We are all excited for the racing to start on Friday night. Today's weather was very hot, humid and a welcome sight for my white pasty body !!!

Talk to you all soon.

Kurt


Cycle the Okanagan

Spring Mileage Camp - Penticton, B.C.
Head Coach - Ron Hayman
April 14th - 22nd, 2001

Build a Solid Base: Ride in dry, mild weather conditions - with an abundance of quiet and scenic cycling routes. Rides include a supported 100 mile ride on the challenging Ironman Canada "Richter" route and the 36 km, 4000 ft Apex climb. Look forward to a daily ride and activities schedule.

Add Some Cool Mountain Biking: For those who enjoy the dirt, Penticton offers countless options - right from the city limits. The surrounding terrain offers both high speed technical riding and easy rolling endurance routes.

Get input on Training and Planning: Take part in afternoon and evening discussions about seasonal preparation, planning your race season and racing strategies.

Enjoy Easy Beach Access Accommodation Housing: is within meters of Okanagan Lake, and only blocks from shopping, bike stores, coffee houses etc. Kitchenette access is available for all camp members.

For questions - please e-mail Ron Hayman at ronh @vip.net


Belated Happy Birthday To...

Ray Duggan (Tuesday).