June 24, 2009 (Ottawa, ON) – Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., Canada’s revelation in international cycling last year, headlines the National Road Cycling Championships set to be held in two parts in St-Georges-de-Beauce, Que. The first set of races are scheduled for June 26-28. On Friday, June 26 is the men’s and women’s elite and under-23 individual time trials. On June 27, the women’s elite and under-23 135 kilometre road race and on Sunday June 28 the men’s elite and under-23 180 kilometre road race.

Tuft, seventh at the Olympic Games and second at the world championships in the time trials last year, looks to successfully defend his time trial national title. Christian Meier of Langley is returning as the men’s elite road race champion. Zach Bell of Watson Lake, Yukon and Cameron Evans of Vancouver are also expected to be contenders.

In the women’s elite competition, the field is wide open with last year’s defending champions not racing. Riders to watch include Tara Whitten of Edmonton, a double silver medalist at the world track championships and the Tour of PEI champion this year and Olympian Erinne Willock of Victoria.

In under-23 action, top riders for the women include Julie Beveridge of Calgary and Karol-Ann Canuel of Amos, Que., and for the men David Veilleux of Cap-Rouge, Que., Mathew Bell of Toronto and Cody Campbell of Surrey, B.C.

Action resumes from July 1-5 with races in various age groups for able- bodied and Paracyclists. Highlight include the men’s and women’s junior time trials on July 2 and the men’s and women’s junior road races on July 4.

Apart from crowning Canadian champions, the competition will also determine a selection pool for the senior and under-23 teams for the road cycling world championships in September.

Also of note, a few days later the national track cycling championships for Paracyclists are set for July 7-8 in Bromont, Que.