October 3, 2003 – Tomorrow will be a special day for Canadians as the Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships unfolds in Copps Coliseum in downtown Hamilton. As part of the opening ceremonies, fans will be treated to a special celebration of some of Canada's top cyclists through the ages. Canada has a fantastic history of great riders over the past few decades and tomorrow cycling fans across the country and around the world will see many of them celebrated as part of the opening ceremonies. Here's who you can expect to see honoured tomorrow:

Ron Hayman One of first Canadian men to race professionally, paving the way for future riders. A member of the 1972/76 Olympics teams; a 4-time stage winner at the Coors Classic (for many years, the largest stage race in North America); the top amateur of the year in Belgium (1979); Tour of Ireland winner; represented Canada at nine World Championships; 7-time national champion on the road and on the track.

Brian Walton Silver medal at 1996 Olympics; three Pan American Games gold medals and one bronze; Commonwealth Games bronze medal; overall winner of the Milk Race in Great Britain in 1989; many international ictories and placings; currently Coach and Director of Team Snow Valley.

Cindy Devine Downhill World Champion in 1990 (Devine is first the first ever MTB World Champion from Canada); finished in top-5 at the first five Mountain Bike World Championships.

Alex Stieda First North American to wear the Tour de France Yellow Jersey; Commonwealth Games bronze medal; 1984 Olympian; continues to remain involved with cycling as a BMX coach, writer and television commentator.

Linda Jackson Commonwealth Games two silver medals; Road World Championships bronze and five top-10 finishes at Worlds; HP International stage race winner; member of the 1996 Olympic team (9th time trial); 6-time National Champion. Left a 6-figure career as an investment banker to pursue cycling full time. A commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.

Eric Wohlberg Eight consecutive National titles; Commonwealth gold and bronze (Kuala Lumpur); Pan Am gold; many international wins and placings; 2-time Olympian; a member of the Canadian team in Hamilton.

Lori-Ann Muenzer Two silver and one bronze medal at Track World Championships; Commonwealth silver and bronze (Manchester); 2000 Olympic Team; multiple World Cup victories and placements.

Steve Bauer Olympic silver; World Championships bronze; Commonwealth Games silver; 2nd Paris-Roubaix; a total of 15 days in the Tour de France Yellow Jersey; multiple World Cup and international wins. Ranked as high as fifth in the world among professionals; the highest ranking ever by a Canadian.

Curt Harnett One silver and two bronze Olympic medals (4-time Olympian); two World Championship silver medals; two Commonwealth Games silver medals; Pan Am Games gold and bronze medals; 1996 World Cup champion; 200m world record (a record he still holds); a commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.

Tanya Dubnicoff 1993 World Champion, and one silver and two bronze World Championship medals; World Cup series winner; 4-time Pan Am Games Champion; multiple World Cup wins and Commonwealth Games 200m record; 2-time Olympian and 16 national titles; a commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.

Genevieve Jeanson Double World Champion as a Junior; multiple World Cup victories since then; a member of the 2000 Olympic team, and a member of the Canadian team here in Hamilton.

Sylvia Burka Began cycling in 1975 as training for Speedskating due to an injury; competed in three World Championships, placing 4th in 1977 in 3000m pursuit; won 12 National Titles in Road & Track Events; set a World Record in 1000m. in 1982; Stage Winner at the Coors International Bike Classic in 1980. As a speedskater, National Champion from 1970 to 1980; World Jr. Champion in 1975, Ladies World Champion in 1976, World Sprint Champion in 1977; broke two World Records in 1973 & 1976; competed in 1972, 1976 & 1980 Winter Olympics; named Skater of the Year in Canada seven times; Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year five times; Canadian Sportswoman of the Year in 1977; Manitoba's Female Athlete of the Century in 2000; inducted in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.

Gord Singleton Three World records; Pan Am gold medals (2); World Champion (1982) as first Canadian ever to win a world title in cycling); three World Championship silver medals; Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medals; Member of the Order of Canada.

Alison Sydor Three time Elite Women Mountain Bike Cross Country World Champion from 1994 to 1996; won silver in 1993 and 2001 and bronze in 1998 and 1999; also won gold at the 1995 Pan Am Games, and silver medals at the 1999 Pan Am Games and the 1996 Olympic Games; Sydor has 17 World Cup XC wins; 7-time Canadian National XC Champion and 4-time Canadian National Road Race Champion.

Jocelyn Lovell Three-time Olympian; silver medal World Championships; four gold, one silver and one bronze Commonwealth Games medals and two Pan Am Games gold medals; 36 national titles on road and track. A giant of Canadian cycling, who paved the way for Canadian cyclists of the last five decades.