Canadians Racing in the Redlands Bicycle Classic

The Redlands Bicycle Classic started on March 25, signaling the start of the 2010 National Racing Calendar (NRC). This four day stage race features the top American and Canadian men’s and women’s teams. The race started with a prologue on Thursday and today features the 105.7 kilometer Beaumont Circuit Race. On Saturday, racers will be racing in the City of Redlands Criterium and closing off the stage race with the Sunset Road Race on Sunday.

The start list for both the men’s and women’s events is peppered with Canadians. We caught up with a few of the Canadians to get their thoughts on the racing this week in Redlands.

Will Routley racing for Jelly Belly presented by Kenda was 7th in the opening prologue on Thursday. He chatted with us before winning today’s stage – the Beaumont Circuit Race.

Congrats on the 7th place in the prologue – was this an expected result? Does this result affect your strategy for today’s stage?
Yeah, the prologue went really well, I know I personally expected to ride well. While one can always look back and see the little spots here and there where a few seconds could have been saved, all in all I was pleased. And really pumped for my team-mates on the podium!

You’ve had a pretty good start to the season, how do you use this success in this stage race?
I have good form right now, and the road races here are tough, which is right up my alley, so yes, I’ll be out there racing and looking for a result, definitely not sitting back.

What is your team role for Redlands?
The team just had a great prologue yesterday, and we obviously have strong riders, but what we aim to do is show that we are a new and better team this year. We are going out there to race as a unit and build on yesterday. I’ll try and help those guys who were on to podium yesterday, but I’ll be ready to have a go at things myself also, yes we want a stage win here, and yes we want to move into the yellow jersey here.

We want to show everyone that Jelly Belly is a force to be reckoned with.
It’s been a long winter and the season is on now, and we have some motivated riders to say the least.

What is next for you after Redlands?
This weekend is also interesting, as right after Sunday’s race we are packing up and catching a long flight o Thailand for the UCI Tour of Thailand. It’s a six day stage race running April 1st to 6th. So those of us that are racing both Redlands and Thailand have some hard biking ahead! Haha I’m looking forward to it.

Veronique Labonte, racing for Team Nanoblur-Gears placed 22nd in the prologue and 26th in today’s stage.

How are things going with the new team?
Really really well! The very good support of Nanoblur-Gears helps me to have confidence in my abilities on the bike and during the race. For me is very important for me to progress for the next 5 years. Riding with girls who have experience like Anne Samplonius is really important for me.

Tell us a bit about your role on the team.
Be strong in the time trial for a good general classification. And during the road race catch the good break. Help the young riders on the team with a little tips I have learned during my five years of racing.

How are you feeling after today’s stage at Redlands?
I feel strong enough to take more risk during the other races for a win.

What are your goals for the racing during Redlands?
Try to be in the right break. Risk all for win and for learn.

What is next for you after Redlands?
Tour of Battenkill and Joe Martin Stage Race