April 8/02 4:35 am - Burnaby Velodrome Help Needed, Jutras Injured, Armstrong in New York

Posted by Editor on 04/8/02
 

Burnaby Velodrome Meeting Tonight

We're all preparing for tonights meeting at city council. If anyone in the cycling world knows a BC MLA or Federal MP, and has any influence, this is the time for them to be making calls regarding the need for support for unique Olympic training facilities. Sending out the Mason article (see link below) to anyone willing to read it would also be helpful.

Thanks,

David Schneider
VP Road, Track & Cyclo-cross
Cycling BC

Link to Vancouver Sun article.


Jutras Out With Injury

Montreal, Quebec, April 8, 2002 - It will be at least two months before Canadian cyclist Manon Jutras, of the RONA cycling team, can compete again, after recovering from injuries suffered at the Redlands Bicycle Classic, three weeks ago.

Jutras, who was well positioned in the general classification of the race, was the victim of a dramatic crash in the final 2 kilometers of the last stage of this five-day race held in Southern California. As she was leading the main field at more than 60 km/h, she was flung off the road and never knew what happened to her. "Actually I don't have any recollection of the accident", she said from her Victoria, B.C. training base. "The impact was so hard I passed out and my helmet was smashed under the blow. I remember coming to on the roadside and being brought to the first aid station in an ambulance, and nothing else, really."

Jutras first thought she would be in for a good "pain therapy". Examinations conducted by first aid personnel showed nothing but several lacerations and contusions, albeit some serious ones. But later, as the pain did not subside, she underwent further examinations and tests, which revealed a fracture in the lower part of her pelvis.

It will be five to seven weeks before Jutras can ride her bicycle, and it could then take her as much time to get back in a competitive shape. For now, she must refrain from any cycling-specific training, as this would hamper her fracture's healing. She can maintain her cardiovascular capacity only by training in a pool - a sort of nostalgic return to water for the 34-year-old former triathlete.

"I know that the whole team shares my disappointment, said the Drummondville, Quebec-born Jutras, who now calls Montreal home. Especially as I was performing so well since the beginning of the season." (Note: had she not crashed, Jutras would have finished 7th at Redlands - she ranked 10th in the final standings.)

Jutras has set an ambitious objective for herself: to compete in the Montreal World Cup on June 1. "My trainer Paulo Sandhana says it's a daunting goal ∑ but not an impossible one! I'm receiving good care from my doctor and my physiotherapist, who coordinate their treatment program with my trainer. I want to compete in that particular race, because I know how important it is for the team and our sponsor RONA." Indeed, team RONA is seen as Montreal's "home team" by fans here, as both the team and its main sponsor RONA are based in the area. At the Montreal World Cup last year, Jutras was instrumental in her teammate Geneviève Jeanson's spectacular victory.

"It's one more challenge", mused Jutras, whom her teammates nicknamed 'Capi' (short for Capitaine in French) in reference to her leadership within the team. "It's my first serious injury, but it's certainly not the first challenge, nor the last, I face in my career - or in my life, for that matter."


Armstrong to Race in Manhattan

NEW YORK - April 8 - Three-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong will race through Lower Manhattan in the first ever New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software, Sunday, August 4, 2002, Bob Beauchamp, president and CEO of BMC Software, announced today. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will be the official charity of the event, produced by Threshold Sports.

Armstrong and his U.S. Postal Service team will compete against top-rated American and international cycling teams just one week after the 2002 Tour de France. The 100-kilometer professional cycling race will feature 60 - 70 top professional cyclists racing through Manhattan's financial district with the Start/Finish Line at Wall & Water Streets. Working with the New York City Police Department, the Department of Transportation, the NYC Sports Commission and the Alliance for Downtown New York, Threshold Sports has designed a one-mile course through Lower Manhattan streets, which will be challenging to the cyclists and viewer friendly for spectators.

The race will be one of ten official events on the 2002 Pro Cycling Tour and one of only two U.S. races in which Armstrong will compete this season.

"The people of New York have always supported me in my effort to overcome adversity and I would like to return the favor in some small measure," Armstrong wrote to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "Competing with world-class professional cyclists on the streets of Lower Manhattan in a highly-publicized, well-attended race is one of the most valuable contributions I can make to you and your city."

"It is a privilege to work with Mayor Bloomberg, the City of New York and Lance Armstrong, a true hero who embodies the triumph of the spirit, as we lead this great annual competition on the streets of Downtown Manhattan," said Mr. Beauchamp. "New York is one of the most energetic and exciting cities in the world and is a great place to hold what will be one of the most exciting races in sports today."

"The New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software promises to be a memorable sporting event that will contribute to the city's healing process," said New York City Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba. "With Lance Armstrong and a strong field of international riders, we have a real opportunity to focus positive attention on Downtown Manhattan while raising significant funds for Memorial Sloan-Kettering's vital cancer research."

"We recognize the significance of this race and what it means to the resurgence of Lower Manhattan. We are proud to be a part of this exciting event and look forward to using the funds in our ongoing effort to better understand and treat cancer," says Nicole Limbocker, President of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Threshold's goal is to expand the New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software into a weeklong series with a race in each New York City borough beginning in 2003. Proceeds from the event's BMC Software Corporate Challenge will benefit Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to help fight cancer, a disease that almost cost Lance Armstrong his life three years ago. At age 25, he was one of the world's best cyclists before being diagnosed with testicular cancer. With the odds against him, Armstrong embarked on his greatest challenge. Through a combination of physical conditioning, strong support and incredible will, Armstrong became a cancer survivor and heroically won the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Tour de France.

The New York City Cycling Championship is sanctioned and supported by USA Cycling, the sport's national governing body. Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 80,000 members and 2,000 annual events. For information on the PCT and the New York City event go to www.nycbikerace.com.