May 25, 2012 (Rome, ITA) The 2012 UCI Para-cycling World Cup started today in Rome, Italy with a time trial race, and Canada’s para-cyling team wasted no time to show they are in top form for this Paralympic season, grabbing three victories.

The tandem of Robbi Weldon and Lyne Bessette, as well tricyclists Marie-Ève Croteau and Shelley Gautier all came out victorious on this opening day.

Racing the historic city of Rome, in Italy, the Weldon/Bessette tandem took the victory in the time trials, completing the 20.8-kilometre course with the fastest time of 25:59.72 The powerful duo crossed the line with a 10 second lead over second place, the tandem from Ireland. The Canadian tandem of Geneviève Ouellette and Emilie Roy placed eighth.

“Many thanks to the staff, everything was set-up for a nice race. The winter training brought a good start to the season, and the Tour of Belgium was great to prepare for this event,” said Robbi Weldon, from Rome.

In the men’s tandem race, Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier narrowly missed the podium, three seconds behind the third place, to take the fourth place.

In the tricycle races, both Shelley Gautier and Marie-Ève Croteau won their respective 10.4-km races, remaining undefeated so far this season. Both riders wore the coveted Rainbow jersey as the reigning World Champions in the Time trial, while Croteau also boasts the title of World Cup Champion to her résumé.

“A step towards achieving my goal for the season: the London Games. Following a good training this past winter and a good race here in Italy, I find my progress continues, and I’m glad,” said Marie-Ève Croteau, who is a strong contender for a medal at the upcoming Paralympic Games, this summer. “We should also mention the numerous advices from my coach Eric Van Den Eynde and Sébastien Travers, as well as from my teammates and support staff, either the mechanics or physiotherapists.”

In the women’s C4 race, Marie-Claude Molnar posted a time of 23:25.39 as the lone competitor in her category.

The competition in Rome resumes tomorrow and finish on Sunday, with the road races. For more information on this World Cup event in Rome, please click HERE.

Results

Women Tandem – 18.8km
1. Robbi Weldon, Lyne Bessette (Canada) 25:59.72
2. Catherine Walsh, Francine Meehan (Ireland) 00:10.60
3. Joleen Hakker, Samantha Van Steenis (Netherlands) 00:23.15

8. Genevieve Ouellet, Emilie Roy (Canada) 01:30.39

Men Tandem – 18.8km
1. Miguel Angel Clemente Solano, Diego Javier Munoz Sanchez (Spain) 23:15.33
2. Christian Venge Balboa, David Llaurado Caldero (Spain) 0:17.15
3. Krzystof Kosikowski, Artur Korc (Poland) 0:19.63
4. Daniel Chalifour, Alexandre Cloutier (Canada) 0:22.87

Men C1 – 14.1km
1. Michael Teuber (Germany) 21:22.80
2. Mark Lee Colbourne (Great Britain) 0:33.39
3. Juan Jose Mendez Fernandez (Spain) 0:55.12

11. Jaye Milley (Canada) 03:05.31
12. Brayden McDougall (Canada) 03:23.78

Men C2 – 14.1km
1. Laurent Thirionnet Independant 20:41.94
2. Sergey Batukov (Russia) 0:01.92
3. Fabrizio Macchi (Italy) 0:07.35

14. Arnold Boldt (Canada) 01:08.18
19. Matthieu Parent (Canada) 02:31.68

Women C4 – 14.1km
1. Marie-Claude Molnar (Canada) 23:25.39

Men H1 – 15.6km
1. Mark Rohan (Ireland) 26:17.89
2. Koby Lion (Israel) 1.91
3. Patrick Pascal  (Independant) 6.50
4. Robert Labbe  (Canada) 35.32

Men H2 – 15.6km
1., Vittorio Podesta (Italy) 21:12.80
2., Jean-Marc Berset (Switzerland) 3.95
3. Walter Ablinger (Austria) 33.01
7. Rico Morneau (Canada) 1:18.93
13. Mark Beggs (Canada) 2:08.39

Men H3 – 15.6km
1. Rafal Wilk (Poland) 20:42.83
2. Joel Jeannot (France) 2.32
3. Vico Merklein (Germany) 37.16
8. Mark Ledo (Canada) 1:31.07