January 25, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Para-cycling Team will be looking to start the 2012 track season on a high note as it prepares to compete at the 2012 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Los Angeles from February 9 to 12, 2012.

These World Championships are critical for the Paralympic qualification, as they represent the very last track cycling event for which results will count towards the qualification process. Shortly following this important event, the International Cycling Union (UCI) will be announcing the final quota allocation for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

“These World Championships are a critical event for Canada and the World as we are all still vying for the precious Paralympic qualification points. Our athletes have shown throughout the last few years that they are strong contenders for medals, in each of the categories,” said Eric Van Den Eyde, head coach of the Canadian Para-Cycling Team. “Notably, Robbi and Lyne showed great poise and confidence at the Para-Pan American Games in October, sweeping the event by winning gold medals in each of their races. With three medallists from the 2011 World Championships, we have strong team heading to Los Angeles, and our goal remains to qualify teams for the Paralympic Games.

The prolific tandem of Robbi Weldon of North Bay, ON and Lyne Bessette of Knowlton, QC will be in contention to defend their World titles in the visually impaired category, earned at the 2011 UCI Track World Championships. The duo, which was formed two seasons ago, have been outstanding both on the road and the track, winning the Canadian titles for the last two seasons, as well as the gold medal at the 2011 Para-Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Marie-Claude Molnar of Sainte-Adèle, QC will be racing in both the kilo time trials, as well as the scratch race. Molnar won the silver medal at the 2011 World Championships and set the current World Record at the 2011 Para-Pan American Games, both results coming in the kilo time trials race.

Jaye Milley of Calgary, Alberta, will be looking to improve on his bronze medal performance from the previous World Championships in the individual pursuit. Milley will be racing both the kilo and the individual pursuit, along with his teammate and friend Brayden McDougall, also of Calgary, in the same category.

The Canadian Para-Cycling team will participate in a small training camp prior to the World Championships, at the Home Depot Velodrome in Los Angeles.

The detailed schedule of events can be found HERE.

Canadian Delegation – 2012 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships
Visually Impaired
Daniel Chalifour (Mont-Laurier, QC) / Alexandre Cloutier (Québec, QC) [Pilot] – Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit, Sprint
Brian Cowie (Burnaby, BC) / Ed Veal (Toronto, ON) [Pilot] – Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit, Sprint
Robbi Weldon (Thunder Bay, ON) / Lyne Bessette (Knowlton, QC) [Pilot] – Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit

Standing
Jaye Milley (Calgary, AB) [C1] Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit
Brayden McDougall (Calgary, AB) [C1] Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit,
Matthieu Parent (Bromont, QC) [C2] : Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit,
Eric Bourgault (Orford, QC) [C4]: Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit, Scratch
Marie-Claude Molnar (Sainte-Adèle, QC) [C4]: Kilo TT, Individual Pursuit, Scratch