Canuel signs with Specialized-lululemon for 2014

Canada’s Karol-Ann Canuel has signed a contract to race with the UCI-ranked women’s team Specialized-lululemon during the 2014 season.

Canuel spent the last four seasons racing with the French UCI team Vienne-Futurescope. She won the fifth stage of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardéche, placed fifth at the GP de Plouay-Bretagne World-Cup and has multiple top-10 finishes during international cycling events. She placed fourth at the national road championships in Saint-Georges, Que., in June.

Her fellow countrymen, Olympian Clara Hughes competed for the team in 2012 and track specialist Gillian Carleton in 2013. Carleton has not resigned with the team.

Canuel is one of four new riders to join the top-ranked women’s team including Australia’s Tiffany Cromwell, France’s Elise Delzenne and Chantal Blaak from the Netherlands.

Returning riders include Lisa Brennauer, Loren Rowney, Carmen Small, Ally Stacher, Evelyn Stevens, Tayler Wiles and Trixi Worrack.

American bike manufacturer, Specialized, and the Vancouver-based activewear manufacturer, lululemon athletica, teamed up as co-sponsors of the world-class team two years ago. The team has won the TTT world title for two consecutive seasons. The 11-rider team will embark on its third year of competition.

“We are excited to partner with Specialized again in 2014 to support the team and continue working with these athletes to develop and learn more about the performance of our products. As well as ensuring the team are the best dressed in the peloton, we continue to look at ways to elevate the team’s performance through incorporating yoga into their training routine.” said Laura Klauberg, SVP of Brand and Community, lululemon athletica.