Champions Crowned at Junior, Masters and Paracyclists Nationals (UPDATE: Crit Results)

Breakaways were the name of the game in today’s junior road races as Chris Prendergast and Ariane Bonhomme broke clear and held off the rest of their competition to take the titles. Prendergast managed to make an early break stick as the chase group came perilously close to catching him, but tactics proved the group’s undoing as the gutsy rider from Manitoba held on for the win.

Today’s junior road races were just two of the many events that have taken place here in Lac-Megantic since Thursday. It has been a busy few days for cycling in this small town a few hours drive from Quebec City as the second weekend of National Championship racing is taking place. The scenery is spectacular, but as you’d expect when you hear those words,  there’s lots of vertical to go along with the beautiful views.

Thursday’s time trial turned out to be a challenge not because of the terrain, but rather because of the winds that made the return from the turnaround a challenge. Yesterday’s and today’s road races offered a double-whammy – some intense climbing with some stiff wind.

Here are a few photos from the weekend’s action so far, along with the official press releases from Cycling Canada for the various events. Stay tuned for more from this weekend’s races, which conclude with the criterium tomorrow.

Read on for the press releases from Canadian Cycling from this weekend’s race, including top-three results.

For a complete list of results from this weekend’s races, click here.

CHRISTOPHER PRENDERGAST AND ARIANE BONHOMME NEW JUNIOR CANADIAN CHAMPIONS

Top juniors races for Maple Leaf Jersey in road races at Canadian Road Championships

(Lac Mégantic, QC – June 30, 2012) Christopher Prendergast of Team Manitoba and Ariane Bonhomme of Team Québec both rode to solo victories today as the Junior Men and Women took part in the road races at the 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire in Lac Mégantic, QC.

Christopher Prendergastcompleted the 111.7-kilometer course in 3:07.26 to take his first Canadian Title in road races. Prendergast, who had won the Canadian Criterium Champion race last year, was pleased with his racing today. “It’s amazing to be a National champion. Certainly beats last year [when I won the Crit].

“I thought the racing was great. I attacked from the last climb [of Mont Morne] and one guy jumped with me. I thought we would work together until the finish, but it didn’t turn out that way. Never at any points I thought I would make it until about three kilometres to go when it was all downhill.”

“I wanted to get in an early breakaway, because sometimes at Junior Nationals, guys work for themselves and the peloton is not always working together. So I didn’t know if the break would get caught. I just jumped in the break, and didn’t work too hard until the last climb where I attacked.”

Two and a half month ago, Prendergast moved to France, where he took part in bigger races. “I’ve done tons and tons of big races over in France, like Category 2s and big junior races. I did lot of training, and took it a little bit easier this past week, and came in all guns going.”

In the seven-man sprint for the second place, Brandon Etlz of Team SpiderTech powered by PowerWatts came in second, followed by Benjamin Perry of Team CHCH in third.

In the women’s race, Ariane Bonhomme also won her race in a solo break. In the last big hill coming back to lac Mégantic for the finish, Bonhomme took the opportunity of a breaking peloton to launch her attack, alongside teammate Allyson Gillard.

“I did not really expect that. This is my first junior year, and this is a first experience for me at Nationals. My goal was to finish with the pack, and I won. I do not even realize it yet,” said Bonhomme, visibly very happy with the top prize.

“My goal was to stay with the girls in the pack. I knew there were some pretty good climbers in the group, and I wanted to stay with them. When the girls started to drop out, I ended up with Allyson, and I knew how she was very strong. I didn’t really an attack, she simply dropped. I felt bad at the same time, because she was my teammate and I knew that the Worlds were her goal this year. At the same time, it is a Canadian Championships – a big race.”

Allyson Gillard, also of Team Québec, finished second at 1 :07 of the winning time, while Audrey Labrie of Piste.ca took the third place.

Tomorrow, the criterium races will be held for all Masters categories, as well as for the Juniors, concluding the 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire.

RESULTS – 2012 COLD-FX CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROAD RACES

Junior Women

1. BONHOMME, Ariane (QC) Equipe du Quebec 2:40:59

2. GILLARD, Allyson (QC) Equipe du Québec +1:07

3. LABRIE, Audrey (QC) Piste.ca +1:34

Junior Men

1. PRENDERGAST, Christopher (MB) Team Manitoba 3:07:26

2. ETZL, Brandon (ON) Spidertech propulsée par Powerwatts +0:32

3. PERRY, Benjamin (ON) TEAM CHCH +0:32

MASTERS RACING AT ITS BEST IN LAC MÉGANTIC

Road races for Masters showcased at 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships

(Lac Mégantic, QC – June 29, 2012) The second day of the second weekend at the 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire went without a glitch on a beautiful day in Lac Mégantic, QC.

The day started with four races, Masters 50-59 and 60+ for the Men, and the two Masters women categories, and then continued in the afternoon with a second wave with the Masters Men 30-39 and 40-49.

In the Masters Men 30-39, Brandon Sant was the fastest of the large peloton. In an exciting sprint finish, Sant was the first to cross the finish line, after 121.4 kilometers, the longest race of the day. Charlie Gorman was second, while François Doyon took third.

In the 40-49 categories, Pascal Buissières crossed the line in first place, taking the ultimate prize in cycling, the Maple Leaf Jersey. Buissières completed the 106.8km course in 3:07.22.

Don Zuck was the first to cross the finish line in the Master 50-59, taking the Maple Leaf jersey with a time of 3:02.48, completing the 106.8 km course. In the Masters 60+, Pierre l’Écuyer took the victory, crossing the finish line alone with a time of 3:10.55.

Both Masters Women categories finished the gruelling 92.2-km course in a nail-biting sprint, with Pascale Legrand (Masters 30-39) and Carole Vanier (Masters 40+) taking the victory in their respective categories after 2:56.06 of racing.

The 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire continue Saturday with the road races for the junior and para-cyclists, and end on Sunday with the criterium races.

RESULTS – 2012 COLD-FX CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROAD RACES

Masters Men 30-39

1. SANT, Brandon (QC) Powerwatts-FITTIME 3:26:46

2. GORMAN, Charlie (ON) Nine2FivePro.com Cycling Team ST

3. DOYON, François (QC) Quilicot-Rackultra ST

Masters Men 40-49

1. BUSSIERES, Pascal (QC) Team Spirit p/b Euro-Sport 3:07:22

2. LEFEBVRE, Yves (QC) Trek – Bontrager +0:05

3. LANGEVIN, Luc (QC) Equipe Brunet +2:47

Masters Men 50-59

1. ZUCK, Don (ON) TDI TEAM ZUCK 3:02:48

2. ANDERSON, Robert (CA) Team Specialized Racing Masters S.T.

3. LAMARCHE, André (QC) Trek – Bontrager +0:06

Masters Men 60+

1. L’ECUYER, Pierre (QC) FADOQ 3:10:55

2. CLUETT, Gary (ON) ZM Cycle & Fitness 3:26:56

3. CLARKE, Gordon (ON) Bikesport 3:27:16

Masters Women 30-39

1. LEGRAND, Pascale (QC) Trek – Bontrager 2:56:06

2. GOSSELIN, Chantal (QC) Les Rouleurs de l’Outaouais ST

3. LABBÉ, Carmen (QC) Quilicot-Rackultra ST

Masters Women 40+

1. VANIER, Carole (QC) 2:56:06

2. CLERMONT, Nicole (QC) Club Cycliste Sherbrooke ST

3. MARCEAU, Julie (ON) Lapdogs ST

NEW CANADIAN CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Para-cyclists, Juniors and Masters begin their Championships with Time Trials races

(Lac Mégantic, QC – June 28, 2012) New Canadian champions were crowned today in Lac Mégantic as the 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships continued for the juniors, masters and para-cyclists.

In the junior women, the surprising Saskia Kowalchuk (Team CHCH) won top honors in the time trials, stopping the clock at 22:17 after 15 kilometers of racing. The young cyclist from Ontario was pleased with her efforts: “Being Canadian champion and to wear the Maple Leaf jersey is very surreal right now. It was quite unexpected. I missed my high school graduation to be here, so I had to compensate and do well here! I am quite happy to go home with the jersey.”

“The course is relatively flat, which benefited me because I am strong in these sections. I had therefore to make time during the flat sections. My coach Rick Lee and I worked a lot on motor pacing, and on the Computrainer to improve my wattage.”

“I must thank my coach Rick Lee, the team president Lloyd Fairbairn who lent me the bicycle on which I rode today, my family and friends and the entire team.”

In men’s juniors, it’s Nigel Ellsay of Cycling BC team that climbed on the top step of the podium. Ellsay, who last year won the silver medal at these Championships, crossed the finish line after 30km race in a time of 40: 30.88.

“I have been working for the last six months. I am really happy to get it over with,” said Ellsay, who spent some valuable time in France earlier this spring. “I headed over to France in the March, and spent 3.5 months in a French club team. Midway through, a rider dropped out and I had the privilege to go race at a Nations Cup in Germany with the national team. I gained valuable experience and finished 13th in the General Classification. It’s a good spring!”

“It’s a pure time trial course. I have been working really hard the last couple of months. It feels great to win the Maple Leaf Jersey. It’s a big relief, since I have been working towards this objective for the last two months. Last year, I was second and I really wanted it. This year I finally got it.”

Young Marc-Antoine Soucy (Team CC I am Gold) finished in second place with a time of 40:49, while Adam Jamieson (Team CHCH) finished third, just one second off the second place.

In para-cycling, Arnold Boldt, won the race in the C category. Boldt, a veteran Paralympian who had an outstanding athletic career, proved he is still a force in the sport.

The leader of the World Cup tour and defending World Champion in T1 Marie-Eve Croteau has in turn been the fastest among the tricycles, finishing ahead of rookie Dominique Mainguy, second, and the World Champion T2 Shelley Gautier, third.

Mark Beggs won top honors in the handcycle category. Beggs posted the fastest time, followed by Charles Moreau, who was the surprise of the day, and Mark Ledo.

In tandem, Daniel Chalifour along with pilot Alexandre Cloutier, Canada,s top ranked men’s podium, were the fastest ahead of World Champion tandem formed by Robbi Weldon and pilot Lyne Bessette. Brian Cowie and Ed Veal finished third.

The 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire continue tomorrow and Saturday with the road races, and end on Sunday with the criterium races.

RESULTS – 2012 COLD-FX CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – TIME TRIALS

Femmes Junior

1. KOWALCHUK, Saskia (ON) Team CHCH 22:17

2. PEPIN, Roxanne (QC) Equipe du Quebec +0:58

3. GIBSON, Kinley (AB) Team Alberta +1:12

Hommes Junior

1. Nigel ELLSAY (BC) Cycling BC 40:30.88

2. Marc-Antoine SOUCY (QC) Team CC I am Gold +0:19

3. Adam JAMIESON (ON) Team CHCH +0:20

Maîtres Hommes 30-39

1. MCNEIL, Chris (BC) Soul Sportif 19:08

2. PICARD, Dominic (QC) Quilicot-Rackultra +0:35

3. DESCHAMPS, Francois-Michel (QC) Trek – Bontrager +0:44

Maîtres Hommes 40-49

1. GAZSI, David (QC) Team IFG Cyclelogik Endurosport 19:14

2. ALBERT, David (QC) Powerwatts-FITTIME +0:38

3. NASH, Michael (ON Ride with Rendall +0:52

Maîtres Hommes 50-59

1. ADAMS, Sylvan (QC) Powerwatts-FITTIME +20:26

2. LE BEAU, Stéphane (QC) Suarez-ACQ +0:03

3. LAMARCHE, André (QC) Trek – Bontrager +0:14

Maîtres Hommes 60+

1. CLUETT, Gary (ON) ZM Cycle & Fitness 22:56

2. CLARKE, Gordon (ON) Bikesport +0:06

3. DESROCHES, Claudel (QC) FADOQ +0:16

Maîtres Femmes 30-39

1. LEGRAND, Pascale (QC) Trek – Bontrager 22:52

2. BOISSELLE, Caroline (QC) +1:02

3. MCKEE, Shelly (ON) Novofit\Compass 360 Racing +1:46

Maîtres Femmes 40+

1. HAYES, Judith (QC) Medique p/b Silbet Investments 23:38

2. BROWN, Debra (QC) Medique p/b Silbet Investments +0:05

3. MARCEAU, Julie (ON) Lapdogs +0:43

Paracyclisme Vélo à Main

1. BEGGS, Mark QC Equipe du Québec 25:15

2. MOREAU, Charles QC Equipe du Québec 25:28

3. LEDO, Mark ON Team Ontario/Pedal Performance 23:43

Paracyclisme Tandem

1. CHALIFOUR, Daniel / Alexandre CLOUTIER (QC) Indépendant 37:59

2. WELDON, Robbi (ON) / Lyne BESSETTE (QC) Indépendant 44:18

3. COWIE, Brian BC (BC) Blind Sports / Ed VEAL (ON) Real Deal Racing 40:00

Paracyclisme Cycle

1. BOLDT, Arnold (SK) TeamSask 23:43

2. MOLNAR, Marie-Claude (QC) Équipe du Québec 24:51

3. MILLEY, Jaye (AB) Bicisport 24:43

Paracyclisme Tricycle

1. CROTEAU, Marie-Eve (QC) Équipe du Québec 16:52

2. MAINGUY, Dominique (QC) Equipe du Québec 20:07

3. GAUTIER, Shelley (ON) Team Ontario 22:04

CRITERIUM RACES CLOSE 2012 COLD-FX CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Doyle and Labrie take Junior Criterium titles on last day of outstanding Canadian Championships

(Lac Mégantic, QC – July 1, 2012) Lac Mégantic hosted today the sixth and final day of the 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire, and the fan-friendly criterium races were showcased during Canada Day celebrations.

In the featured Junior criterium races, Eliott Doyle raced to the top prize in the men’s race, after 36 laps of the 1.1km course. Emmanuel Gagné (Alma Acura Ultarviolet Devinci) took the second place, followed by Brendan Eztl (Team SpiderTech powered by PowerWatts) in third.

“I’m very happy. Yesterday, I wanted to perform well because I was second in the road race last year, and I put too much pressure on myself and crumbled. Today I was back, now a National Champion,” admitted Doyle.

“We expected to always have a member of the Quebec team in attacks. I am one of the best sprinters in Quebec, so I managed to get to the end and do my job.”

In the junior race, Audrey Labrie (Team Piste.ca) raced to the Maple Leaf jersey. In the 30-lap race, Labrie crossed the finish line first in the bunch sprint, followed by Kinley Gibson (Team Alberta) and Rosalie Cardin-Houle (CC I am Gold).

“I’m really happy since yesterday was such a disappointment for me not to win. To have the title now is a great victory because it allowed me to show others my sprinting abilities,” expressed Labrie. “I wanted to stay in the pack, since I was alone from my team, and I knew there would be a lot of attacks from other teams. I sneaked up to the front in the end. I had to be in second place of the last corner to start the sprint.”

The Masters races were also held prior to the junior races. In the men’s 30+ race, Dominic Picard had an amazing race, riding 32 laps in a solo breakaway towards the gold medal and Canadian title. Stéphane LeBeau won the Masters Men 50+ race, while Olympian John Malois [1992, Barcelona, Points race] won the bunch sprint of the Masters Men 40+ race. Julie Marceau won the only women’s master race, which was held at the same time as the Junior women race.

Cycling Canada would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizing committee, le Tour de Beauce, for organizing top-notch races, the city of Lac Mégantic for the warm welcome into its charming city, as well as all the partners, collaborators and volunteers of the event, notably COLD-FX and Canadian Tire.

RESULTS – 2012 COLD-FX CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – CRITERIUM
Junior Men
1. DOYLE, Elliott (QC) Equipe du Quebec 52:30
2. GAGNE, Emmanuel (QC) Alma Acura Ultraviolet Devinci ST
3. ETZL, Brandon (ON) Spidertech propulsée par Powerwatts ST

Junior Women
1. LABRIE,Audrey (QC) Piste.ca 45:42
2. GIBSON, Kinley (AB) Team Alberta ST
3. CARDIN-HOUDE, Rosalie (QC) CC IAMGOLD ST

Masters Women
1. MARCEAU, Julie (ON) Lapdogs 45:42
2. VANIER, Carole (QC) Indépendant ST
3. DEAVY, Carol (ON) Les Rouleurs de l’Outaouais ST

Masters 30-39
1. PICARD, Dominic (QC) Quilicot-Rackultra 59:47
2. DOYON, Francois (QC) Quilicot-Rackultra +0:22
3. MACDONALD, Geoff (AB) ERTC/Revolution Cycle +0:23

Masters 40-49
1. MALOIS, John (QC) Suarez-ACQ 1:02:54
2. TODD, André (QC) Cycle Néron Cinelune ST
3. DAGENAIS, Richard (ON) Timmins Cycling Club ST

Masters 50-59
1. LE BEAU, Stéphane (QC) Suarez-ACQ 49:25
2. SANCHEZ, Miguel (QC) Sports Bazar +0:02
3. ADAMS, Sylvan (QC) Powerwatts-FITTIME +0:09

Masters 60+
1. MALOIS, John (QC) Suarez-ACQ 1:02:54
2. TODD, André (QC) Cycle Néron Cinelune ST
3. DAGENAIS, Richard (ON) Timmins Cycling Club ST