August 23, 2007 — Canadians were shut out of the medals in a hotly contested track competition at the Paracycling World Championships in Bordeaux, France.

“Even though we didn’t win a medal, all the Canadians posted personal best times in the track events held this week,” said Vincent Jourdain, head coach for the Canadian National Team. “We’re headed in the right direction and it’s very encouraging in a pre-Paralympic Games year.”

Jourdain highlighted performances by Quebec’s Jean Quévillon, fourth in the CP3 pursuit. He improved his personal best by five seconds. “Alberta’s Braydon McDougall (CP3) was sixth in pursuit and bettered his best time by four seconds,” Jourdain said.

In the LC2 division, Éric Bourgault of Quebec was sixth in the pursuit and seventh in the one kilometre. “In the one kilometre my goal was a top-five finish but I’m satisfied with seventh,” he said. “Competition is fierce, everyone is trying to make their mark for the Games.”

“He gained ground on the world’s best, his performance also augurs well for the upcoming road events,” added Jourdain.

In the tandem races, the Canadian riders experienced some bad luck and were disappointed. Devon Smibert of Alberta rode with a fracture in his left hand after a fall in training. He still placed fifth in the individual pursuit with his partner Brian Cowie of B.C.

Medal hopefuls Alexandre Cloutier and Daniel Chalifour of Quebec experienced mechanical problems and placed 13th. “From the start of the race our wheel was touching the frame which forced us to push harder,” said Cloutier.

“That result is not a reflection of their talent level,” said Jourdain. “We were hoping they would reach the final and win a medal.” Cloutier and Chalifour opened the worlds placing fifth in the one kilo.

Stéphane Côté and Pierre-Olivier Boily of Quebec were 11th in the pursuit.

Jourdain expects better results in the road events. “We’re confident we can win medals,” he said. “The Cloutier-Chalifour and Cowie-Smibert tandems should do well in the time trials. In the road race, Boily and Côté look to repeat their medal performance from the last worlds.”

Rico Morneau is another contender in hand cycling. “He’s having a very good season. He’ll be one to watch,” said Jourdain.

The competition has attracted 400 riders from 40 countries. It continues through to Monday.

Results

Kilo

CP3 — Men
Jean Quévillon (QC) — 6th
Braydon McDougall (AB) — 8th

LC2 — Men
Éric Bourgault (QC) — 7th

Tandem — Men
Daniel Chalifour (QC) and Alexandre Cloutier (QC) — 5th
Gene Della Siega (BC) and Craig De Veer (ON) — 13th

Individual Pursuit

CP3 — Men
Jean Quévillon (QC) — 4th
Braydon McDougall (AB) — 6th

LC2 — Men
Éric Bourgault (QC) — 6th

Tandem — Men
Brian Cowie (BC) and Devon Smibert (AB) — 5th
Stéphane Côté (QC) and Pierre-Olivier Boily (QC) — 11th
Alexandre Cloutier (QC) and Daniel Chalifour (QC) — 13th