Joelle Numainville targets World Cups in 2011

As Canadian road champion Joelle Numainville starts a new season, she is also part of a new team.

Along with Erinne Willock, Numainville made the switch from the Webcor Builders squad to Linda Jackson’s Team TIBCO, where she also joins time trial specialist Tara Whitten, making it arguably the strongest grouping of Canadian road women in the world.

Numainville, who lives in Montreal, is just 23 but she’s just come off a season in which she won the national road title, the UCI Grand Prix de Gatineau, the Queen’s Park Grand Prix in Toronto and the Tour de White Rock in B.C.

But in 2011 she won’t just be racing in North America: She’s expecting to race in at least two World Cups and hopes to make the worlds squad.

She took the time this week to answer some questions for Canadian Cycling Magazine.

Q. You’re with a new team for 2011. How come you made the move to Team TIBCO?

A. Webcor team was a very good team. I had an amazing time racing with the girls, and the management was very good. With the financial situation in USA, the construction side in California has been hit hard and Webcor as a construction company decided not to sponsor the team for 2011. The team has been around for so many years. I was great to be part of that team. Now that I’m with my new Team TIBCO, I will be doing a lot of UCI races with them. I’m very excited

Q. You had a big season in 2010 — Canadian champion and victories in Gatineau and Toronto, among others. What are your goals in 2011?

A. I will focus on the World Cup series. I’ve never raced more than two world cups a year. It should be a good experience. I also have the World Championship at the end of September. It’s one of the the most important races of the year.

Q. You seem to be developing into a great sprinter. What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

A. [The ability] to win a ton of bunch-sprint races.

Q. How many times can we expect to see you racing in Canada this year? Will you be back in Gatineau?

A. I will be for sure at Gatineau and Nationals. I like usually to go to BC Super Week, to.

Q. How do you rate your chances at being selected for the 2012 Olympic team?

A. I think I have as good a chance as a lot of riders right now. The national team is going to select the best riders. I hope to be part of that team. I’m training hard right now in Montreal, I’m motivated and I love what I do.