September 22, 2003 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canadian Cycling Association announced today its 10-member elite team for the men's and women's road races which conclude the week-long world cycling championships on October 11-12 in Hamilton.
The championships are set from October 7-12 with 10 races on the schedule in elite, junior and Espoir (23 and under) categories. It is one of the biggest international events in Canada this year. More than 250,000 spectators are expected with a worldwide television viewing audience of 500 million forecasted. More than 800 racers from 50 countries are expeccted to compete.
The women's road race is one of Canada's best hopes for a medal. The team members are Geneviève Jeanson of Lachine, Que., Lyne Bessette of Knowlton, Que., Sue Palmer-Komar of Hamilton, Manon Jutras of Montreal, Amy Moore of Mississauga, Ont., and Erinne Willock of Victoria. The 124 kilometre women's road race is on Saturday October 11.
Jeanson, Bessette and Palmer-Komar are all established stars in international cycling and are serious medal threats. Both Jeanson and Bessette also race the individual time trial on October 8.
''There's going to pressure on them at home,'' said Canadian national team coach Yuri Kashirin of Victoria. ''It's going to come down to who's strongest that day. But Genevieve, Lynn and Sue have the capabilities to win medals. A key for the entire team will be to help them be near the front on the last lap.''
For the first time in world championship history, road races will be held on a course located entirely within the city centre. The course is considered very tough.
''It's fast down and a slow long climb up,'' said Kashirin. ''For the most part there's no recovery. There's some narrow roadways and sharp turns. It never stops. You can't relax at all.''
Bessette is currently the top-ranked Canadian in the International Cycling Union standings. Her season was derailed at a World Cup in late August when she crashed and broke her collarbone. However she expects to be fully recovered for the worlds and is scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix Feminin International du Canada in Saguenay, Que., from September 24-28.
Jeanson, 22, has enjoyed another strong season highlighted by gold at the World Cup road race in Montreal in May. Most recently she won the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont late last month. She burst on the international stage with gold in the junior road race and time trial at the world cycling championships in 1999.
The experienced Palmer-Komar is enjoying one her best ever seasons at age 36. The 1996 Olympian was second at the World Cup stop in Belgium in April and won gold last week at the San Rafael Classic in San Francisco. She was 10th in the road race at the 2001 worlds.
There's no shortage of experience on the men's side with Michael Barry of Toronto, Eric Wohlberg of Levack, Ont., Dominique Perras of Brossard, Que., and Mark Walters of Blackstock, Ont. The men's 280 kilometre road race is October 12.Wohlberg is also entered in the individual time trial along with Roland Green of Victoria on October 9.
''Our men's team is good and solid but can it get a medal? We'll see,'' said Kashirin. ''However over the years we have seen a lot of surprises at the worlds. It's a one day race and they have the ability to be with the front group. Plus the adrenaline will be flowing being at home.''
Barry, 29, is a member of the U.S. Postal Team, which includes Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and has spent most of the summer racing in high profile events in Europe.
It is only the sixth time the worlds are held outside Europe and the third time in North America. Montreal was the host in 1974.