Leah Kirchmann and Marie-Soleil Blais lead Team Canada at GP Gatineau
Six Canadians line-up for the UCI women's road race and time trial in Quebec on June 6 and 7
Cycling Canada has announced the team of six women who will be lining up at the UCI Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau on Thursday, June 6 and the Chrono Gatineau on June 7 in Canada’s colours. The races are the only UCI-sanctioned women’s races in Canada. Along with the White Spot/Delta Road Race, they are the only UCI-sanctioned women’s events in Canada.
The team is headlined by European-based pro Leah Kirchmann, the winner of the 2017 GP Gatineau and a multiple time podium finisher in both the road race and time trial. First year pro Marie-Soleil Blais of Team Astana will provide a strong second option having finished sixth in 2018. Both have had busy early seasons that included extensive classic campaigns in Europe and the Tour of California.
Georgia Simmerling, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist on the track is another strong and experienced addition to Canada’s line-up. Magdeleine Vallieres-Mill, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Holly Simonson will also line-up for Canada. Coles-Lyster finished second on a stage of the Tour of the Gila earlier this spring.
“I’ve led teams at Gatineau four times since 2014 for a total of six podiums, including winning the road race twice,” said team director Kevin Field. “I think we have a strong team and a great chance to do well as Team Canada.”
The GP Gatineau road race includes two loops in Gatineau Park before five laps of a mostly flat urban circuit. American Lauren Hall was the winner of the 2018 edition of the GP Gatineau.
