March 25, 2004 – Long time Cycling BC member and Coach, Ed Schum, returns to lead the Tour de l'Abitibi Junior Men's High Performance Project in 2004. With a long history in sport, including involvement at the Provincial and National levels, Ed brings with him a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, coupled with the vast amount of experience gained from leading the Abitibi project on three different occasions!

The 2004 Project aims to build on the success of previous BC Team projects competing in the Eastern Canadian Stage Race, where in 2002, two BC Team members were selected to represent Canada at the World Championships.

Located in and around the township of Val-d'Or, Quebec, the Tour de L'Abitibi is perhaps the largest and most prestigious Junior Men's stage race in North America, and the only stop on the continent in the World Junior Challenge Series. Attracting teams from as far away as Holland and Japan, last year's roster boasted teams from seven countries, five provinces and two states. The eight-stage event covers a prologue, several road races, criterium and even a team time trail!

Over the next two months, several riders will be identified as long listed team members. The selection of these riders does not have any bearing on the final 6 that will represent the BC Team at the stage race. The long listed athletes will enable several of the eventual team riders to race as a unit before the actual event. All riders will have to qualify through the identified selection process.

Interested Junior-aged riders should watch the Cycling BC website for Project updates including Selection events. Men, with a racing age of 17 and 18, are requested to submit a brief race resume in the form of an email or letter expressing interest to Allan Prazsky, road@cycling.bc.ca to be considered and receive Project updates.

Cycling BC will be able to provide partial funding for this project. The exact amount is yet to be determined. All selected athletes will be informed as budgeting is finalized.

March 12, 2004 – With a long history in sport, including involvement at the provincial and national levels, Ed Schum (Cycling BC's new Abitibi Project Leader) brings with him a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, coupled with the vast amount of experience gained from leading the Abitibi project on three different occasions.

The 2004 Project aims to build on the success of previous BC Team projects competing in the Eastern Canadian Stage Race, where in 2002, two BC Team members were selected to represent Canada at the World Championships. Located in and around the township of Val-d'Or, Quebec, the Tour de L'Abitibi is perhaps the largest and most prestigious Junior Men's stage race in North America, and the only stop on the continent in the World Junior Challenge Series.

Attracting teams from as far away as Holland and Japan, last year's roster boasted teams from seven countries, five provinces and two states.  The eight-stage event covers a prologue, several road races, criterium and even a team time trial. Over the next two months, several riders will be identified as long listed team members. The selection of these riders does not have any bearing on the final six that will represent the BC Team at the stage race. The long listed athletes will enable several of the eventual team riders to race as a unit before the actual event. All riders will have to qualify through the identified selection process.

Interested junior-aged riders should watch the Cycling BC website for project updates including selection events.  Men, with a racing age of 17 and 18, are requested to submit a brief race resume in the form of an email or letter expressing interest to Allan Prazsky, road@cycling.bc.ca to be considered and receive Project updates.

Cycling BC will be able to provide partial funding for this project. The exact amount is yet to be determined.  All selected athletes will be informed as budgeting is finalized.