March 12, 2007 – For years, Audrey Lemieux (Expresscopy.com) has faced the dilemma of reconciling her professional cycling career with her college studies during the off season. The cyclist from Alma, Quebec, will start university this September, and is giving herself a lighter race calendar so that she can make the right choices about her future.

For some time, uncertainties on a professional and personal level about her future, have prevented Lemieux from giving a 100% effort to her sport. “I’ve never had a normal life for a 21-year-old student and it is time for me to reflect carefully in order to build my future on a solid base,” Lemieux explains.

Team management is very understanding of Lemieux’s situation and is supporting her in an exemplary fashion. At present, Lemieux is not yet registered for any races, and decisions will be made closer to the race dates. In the meantime, Lemieux will continue to be a full part of the team, participating in all promotional activities.

The CCA (Canadian Cycling Association) and FQSC (Fédération Québecoise des Sports Cyclistes) support Lemieux in her decision. “The FQSC and the CCA always helped me financially and I am very grateful to them,” said Lemieux.

Lemieux will join her team and other Canadian riders and athletes – including cyclists Lyne Bessette, and Susan Palmer-Komar, together with rower Alison Korn and speed skater Anouk Leblanc-Boucher – in promoting the FitSpirit program. This program, associated with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, aims to promote physical health among girls from 13 to 17 years old, and the objective is to visit 5,000 students in Ontario and Quebec to pass on this message.

This year will be Lemieux’s fourth as a professional cyclist. In 2005 she won two titles as the Canadian road champ in the U23 category and three medals at the Canada Games.

Pascal Tremblay
Audrey Lemieux’s Agent