October 30/02 5:58 am - Gastown 2003, Tuck to Rona, Mountain Bikers Try Other Sports

Posted by Editor on 10/30/02
 

2003 Steamworks Tour de Gastown - B.C.

Vancouver, BC (Oct. 30, 2002) - On WEDNESDAY, JULY 23rd, 2003, North America's top cyclists will return to Vancouver's most historic neighbourhood for BC's biggest one-day bicycle race, the Steamworks Tour de Gastown.

Last year 24,000 spectators packed Gastown for an unforgettable evening of wheel-to-wheel racing with local riders battling North America's best for more than $14,000 in cash prizes.

"We're delighted with our new race date," said Jon Stovell, chair of the Gastown Business Improvement Society, which organizes the race. "With next year's Indy race taking place the same week, our crowds are sure to be even bigger as everyone gets revved up by coming to Gastown for the fastest racing on two wheels."

The 2003 Steamworks Tour de Gastown will once again be the centerpiece of BC Super Cycling Week, which will include the Tour de Delta July 18-20 and the Tour de White Rock, July 25-27.

Returning as title sponsor for 2003 is Steamworks Brewing Co., which, with the production of its limited edition Skinny Tire Beer, made the Steamworks Tour de Gastown the only bike race in North America to have its own beer.


Carrie Tuck Joins Team Rona

Montreal, Quebec, October 30, 2002 - The RONA Cycling Team is proud to announce that the Canadian cyclist Carrie Tuck signed to join the team in 2003.

Born and raised in Alberta, but now residing in Victoria, B.C., Carrie Tuck just turned 22. Yet she has been competing for 11 years. "I was really motivated very early", she says, "my dad and my grandfather were both avid cycling fans!"

Carrie, a 6-foot, 140 lbs athlete, wants to be an all-around cyclist. She has competed on the track and in mountain biking - she was the Canadian junior MTB champion and earned three top ten finishes at the world junior championships. Having discovered road racing in 2000, she now admits a preference for time trialing. She won the time trial gold medal at the 2001 Canada Games, as well as silver in the road race.

Kept out of races for eight weeks following a collar-bone fracture in 2002, she still managed good results - among which a third place at the Delta Road race and a second place at the Canadian criterium championships, right behind RONA's Andrea Hannos, who will be her team-mate next year.

"I can't say how excited I was when André (Aubut, Team RONA's manager) called", says the young Albertan, a trained cabinetmaker who is now a student at the University of Victoria. "I knew Team RONA, having raced against Raphaële Lemieux at the Canada Games in 2001, and against Amy Jarvis and Manon Jutras at the Tour of White Rock this year. I saw how much they improved by being with RONA. Joining RONA is such a great opportunity for me, I'll sure work hard to contribute to my new team!"

Aubut intends to rely on Tuck's skills. "Carrie is young, but she has good potential to build on", he says. "Her record confirms she's versatile and I'm sure she'll improve quickly and steadily. I like her attitude."


Canadians Mountain Bikers Compete in Other Sports
Courtesy FACT Canada

Last weekend (October 27, 2002), two national cycling team members - Geoff Kabush and Martina Feldmann - tested their fitness level in other sports than mountain biking. Geoff was in Hawaii, and placed an outstanding 10 th place at the Xterra World Championship, beating people like Peter Reid and other high caliber athletes.

Martina Feldmann started for the Canadian Duathlon National team in Georgia. It was her second race in this discipline after winning in a tie on the Canadian Nationals. Missing the bikepack by 20 seconds, she had to bike all on her own, chasing the drafting group in front. At the end the gap had not changed, and she finished an extremely good race in 10th place.


Happy Birthday To...

Martin Gilbert, today.