June 30, 2008 (Saint-Georges, QC) — Merrill Collins (ON) La Bicicletta has won the Open Women’s 42km Criterium championship in Saint-Georges over Jenny Trew (BC) Vanderkitten in second and Steph Roorda (BC) Giant Canada in 3rd. Laurie-Anne Dupont Renaud (QC) Équipe du Québec who placed 4th was the top junior woman.

A heated debate followed the race as the organizers wanted to reduce the prize money because of the low turn out – 24 women raced – which made the race less competitive. Given that the Criterium is almost a week before the road races this coming weekend not all riders were in attendance. But the riders contended that their time and expenses to attend the event were the same regardless and won out in the end. However there was some discussion that the women’s Criterium may be cancelled in the future.

Results

1. Merrill Collins (ON) La Bicicletta/J Lindeberg 1:17:01
2. Jenny Trew (BC) Vanderkitten Racing
3. Stephanie Roorda (BC) Vanderkitten Racing
4. Laurie-anne Dupont Renaud (QC) Équipe du Québec
5. Natasha Elliot (QC) EMD Serono
6. Joanie Caron (QC) Équipe Cascades
7. Mathilde Hupin Debeurme (QC) Marin Bikes
8. Jessica Kisell (AB) Team Alberta
9. Vicki Thomas (ON) The Cyclery 1:22
DNF Geneviève Bourgeois (QC) EVA-Devinci (Club)
DNF Véronique Drapeau Zgoralski (QC) Vélo Club Longueuil
DNF Gabrielle Duchesne (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Évelyne Gagnon (QC) EVA-Devinci (Club)
DNF Jessica Garneau (QC) Rocky Mountain/Lessard
DNF Virginie Gauthier (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Leah Kirchmann (MB) Team Manitoba
DNF Joanie Laflamme (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Adriane Provost (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Anna Schappert (QC) Manitoba Provincial Team
DNF Ellen Sparling (AB) bicisport Calgary
DNF Valerie Gaston (QC) Les Rouleurs de l’Outaouais
DNF Raphaëlle Chrétien (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Catherine Hogan (QC) Équipe du Québec
DNF Karine Tessier (QC) Marinoni-Cadence
DNS Stephanie Bester (ON) Team Ontario
DNS Florence Laplante Lamarche (ON) Ottawa Bicycle Club
DNS Katie Spittlehouse (ON) Team Ontario