March 6, 2007 (Saint-Georges, QC) — The President of the Tour de Beauce Organizing Committee, Mr. Denis Levesque, and Honorary Chairman, Hon. Maxime Bernier, federal deputy for Beauce and Minister of Industry, and the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) are pleased to announce that the Tim Hortons Road National Championships will be held in Beauce (QC) for two consecutive years.

Canada’s premiere road cycling event will be hosted by the Beauce region from July 5 to 11, 2007, and will return in 2008.

“I am pleased to act as Honorary Chairman for an event of this calibre, which will have a major economic impact on our beautiful region,” said Hon. Maxime Bernier, federal deputy for Beauce and Minister of Industry. “To host such a prestigious event is an honour for the people of Beauce and we all wish the athletes and organizers the best of luck.”

“This event will attract over 700 athletes and team members to the region of Beauce and will be organized by a devoted organizing committee, including hundreds of volunteers and generous partners, such as Hotel & Convention Centre Le Georgesville, the City of Saint-Georges and the CLD Beauce-Sartigan, Beauce’s local development centre,” said Mr. Denis Levesque, organizing committee president.

“Knowing the expertise of the Tour de Beauce organizing committee, I am certain that we will witness an event of the highest calibre,” said CCA President Dr. Pierre Blanchard. “The CCA wishes to thank title event sponsor Tim Hortons for its ongoing support and contribution to Canadian cycling.”

The championships will start on Thursday July 5 with the Para-cycle, masters and junior time trials. The criterium race for all categories will follow on Friday. The masters road race will be presented on Saturday, followed by the Para-cycle and junior road race on Sunday. The elite competitions will begin on Monday with the time trial, followed by the U23 men’s and elite women’s road race on Tuesday. The event will close with the elite men’s road race on Wednesday July 11.

“This event represents the best opportunity for our athletes to make a name for themselves in preparation for the world championships,” said National Road Coach Vincent Jourdain.

Past champions who are expected in Beauce include Stéphane Côté and Pierre-Olivier Boily (QC, Para-cycle tandem), Mark Breton (QC, Para-cycle LC1), Karol-Ann Canuel (QC, junior women), Mark Hinnen (ON, Junior men), David Veilleux (QC, U23 men), Alexandra Wrubleski (SK, elite women), Dominique Rollin (QC, elite men), Svein Tuft (BC, elite men) and Eric Smith (AB, U19/Jr).