GP Gatineau gives Ellen Watters and the Cyclery-Opus the opportunity to prove themselves against the best
GP Gatineau is a chance for the team to develop their skills at a high level and put a good foot forward against top level riders
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A kinesiology graduate who spends her winters working at a chiropractic clinic back home in New Brunswick, Ellen Watters is preparing for her fourth shot at the Grand Prix Gatineau. Riding for the Ottawa-based the Cyclery-Opus team, Watters race pedigree has been honed and developed at one of Canada’s highest profile road races.
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“It’s definitely, crazy to see the strength and development of the team, every year we have better results in races we have done in past years. The GP Gatineau is a chance to develop our skills at a high level and put a good foot forward against some really strong riders.”
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Watters was just returning from a hard V02 max workout in Ottawa when we caught up with her. During the summers, Watters who calls Sussex, New Brunswick home, is based in the nation’s capital to be closer to the big races and her team. Those results she spoke of include a second place finish at the MK Delta criterium during BC Superweek and the overall win at the Killington Mountain Stage Race in 2015. On May 21 of this year, she convincingly won the Tour of the Battenkill which featured 8 gravel sections solo.
The season began with a trip to California for Watter and the Cyclery-Opus team. At the San Dimas Stage race, Watters had world time trial champion Linda Villumsen behind her in the starting block. “She definitely passed me out on the course but it is cool because at some point these top level riders were starting out too. It allows you to see how far you can go and what you can achieve. It was a cool moment but also terrifying.”
Developing riders and giving them the opportunity to attend the biggest races is part of the Cyclery-Opus’s mission. “Without this team, there would be several girls who may not have had a chance to shine. Annie Foreman-Mackey and Katherine Maine are just two examples, the team has definitely opened up several doors,” said Watters.
In March 2016, Annie Foreman-Mackey won a bronze medal in the women’s individual pursuit at the track cycling world championships at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London. Catharine Maine, who is racing for Rally Cycling this year, rode for the Cyclery-Opus in 2015. “The Cyclery-Opus had a huge role in my move up to Rally Cycling,” Maine said. “They taught me how to race as a team and provided me with incredible support, coaching, and racing opportunities.”
The GP Gatineau is a rare opportunity for the team to race against the best on home roads. “We have a lot of experience with Annie Foreman-Mackey and Tara Whitten,” said Watters. “We know the course so familiarity plays into our back pocket. We will be striving for a podium finish and I am confident we are capable of that.”
In 2016, the race will do two laps of Gatineau Park with five laps on the main circuit. Watters says that the inclusion of the second lap in the park should give the opportunity for a breakaway to establish but that the flat finishing circuit should see a bunch contest a sprint for the win.
The time trial course has been altered in 2016 featuring more climbing and Watters, who in 2014 had top-10 finishes in both the national TT champions and the Chrono Gatineay, will look to continue making improvements in the discipline.
For Maine, a native of Ottawa, it will be her second year racing the GP Gatineau. “Having a UCI race in my hometown is really special as friends and family will have the opportunity to come out and cheer,” Maine said who will be racing for Team Canada. “I am also honoured to be racing with the national team and have an opportunity to learn from some of the best riders in Canada.”
The GP Gatineau provides the platform for Canadians to compete against the best while local development teams like the Cyclery-Opus help develop top riders. “The team has been beyond helpful in terms of financial and mechanical support in all dimensions of racing. It’s good to know we have that support and belief behind us,” said Watters.
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