September 13, 2006 (Reims, France) – Canadian road cyclists who took part in the Chrono Champenois in France on Sunday, September 10, performed well on the 33.4 km race course, providing Canada with encouraging results just a few days prior to the Road World Championships in Salzburg, Austria.

In the women’s category, Anne Samplonius (Montreal, QC) placed 7th (47:11) at Chrono Champenois, at 2:11 behind the winner, Switzerland’s Karin Thurig (Univega Pro Team), a specialist on this type of very flat and fast course.

The Chrono Champenois takes place back-to-back with the Tour d’Ardèche, making it difficult for Samplonius who won one of the Tour d’Ardèche stages, to achieve a better placing. But even under such conditions, Samplonius, who is testing a new bike, succeeded in setting a time close to Jeannie Longo (46:59), one of France’s greatest female racers, in 5th, and Great Britain’s Wendy Houvenaghel (46:49), in 4th.

In the men’s time trial, Canada’s espoirs David Veilleux (Cap-Rouge, QC) and Brad Fairall (North Vancouver, B.C.) had a great race in the elite men’s category with many great international riders, some pros, and also some top espoirs who will be strong contenders at the upcoming Road Worlds.

David Veilleux (44:42) placed 13th at 2:10 behind winner Finnish Matti Helminen (Pro), while Bradley Fairall was 11th at 1:34.

On a more significant note, Canada’s two espoirs were less than 40 seconds behind the winner (21:31) at mid-race, at 22:04 (Bradley Fairall) and 22:10 (David Veilleux). Most of all, both reached times close to or even better than world class espoirs such as Peter Latham NZL (21:43), Sylvain Georges FR (21:27), France’s 2006 time trial champion Florian Morizot (21:50), Australia’s Mark Jamieson (22:06), Logan Hutchings NZL (21:53) and France’s Yoann Offredo (22:00).

As Jacky Hardy, the Canadian Cycling Association coach, commented: “It’s a real element of satisfaction and a very encouraging feeling a few days before the Road Worlds in Salzburg, considering David Veilleux’s youth (19 years old) and also the fact that Bradley Fairall, who will still race in the espoir category next year, kind of started his season late (his latest competition dates back to end of July…).”

Full results and photos click here.

Next competition will be the Chrono de Tauxigny (18 km time trial), in the Orleanais region, located in the Centre-West of France on Saturday, September 16, 2006.