Team Nanoblur-Gears racing in Europe
National team of six elite women will race a series of three events
The all-Canadian Team Nanoblur-Gears is heading to Europe to race for the next three weeks. The women’s team will first race a UCI 1.2 on July 18 in Belgium called the ‘Dwars door de Westhoek. Then the squad is off to Germany to compete from July 20th-25th in the famous UCI 2.1 stage race Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen 2010. Lastly, Nanoblur-Gears will compete in a Belgium Kermesse July 27th before heading home.
Team owner Malcolm Eade said it will be a development trip for the women.
“A stage placing would be ideal, but learning is the most important aspect. I also want the team to throw caution to the wind and really try to race – despite the fields being stronger than anything they have faced this year,” he said.
The Canadian Cycling Association is assisting with logistical support and knowledge from its National Team base in Belgium. The CCA also provided the team with a list of potential athletes to fill out the six- woman roster.
Making the trip are: Véronique Bilodeau (Guest Rider – Quebec); Joanie Caron (Quebec); Anne Guzman (Ontario); Krystal Jeffs (Ontario); Véronique Labonté (Quebec); Alison Testroete (Guest Rider – Alberta); DS : Nat Faulkner (Ontario); Mechanic : Sean Kelly (Ontario)
“This is purely development for Canadian riders – you can see the benefit of racing in Europe when they come back to North America. They are more aggressive, better positioned and more most importantly – more confident in their abilities,” said Eade. “They tend to risk more and be more aggressive when racing rather than attentive and passive.”