February 19, 2010 (Montreal, QC) – Following the cancellation of the 2010 editions of the Montreal Women’s World Cup, the Tour du Grand Montreal, and the Tour de PEI, Pedal has been keeping in close touch with the Quebec cycling federation (FQSC) regarding the possibility of a replacement event for women cyclists.

“We are 99% confident that a 1.1 sanction race will be in place this year,” FQSC director Louis Barbeau told us today at the Expodium bike show in Montreal. “And we are hopeful that there will be a world cup again in 2011.” He added that a more explicit announcement will be made by March 1.

This is decidedly more optimistic than an email received yesterday, when all Barbeau could say was, “There is unfortunately not much else to add at this time, only to say that we are looking at a one-day event for 2010. Indications are promising at this time.”

“The FQSC is working hard on this dossier,” was the message yesterday from Josée Robitaille, the FQSC road and track coordinator who works with Barbeau on the issue.

As noted earlier, the FQSC and the CCA are working in conjunction with organizers of the Womens Liberty Classic of the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship slated for June 6, so as to avoid a date conflict. A replacement event in Canada is thus likely a few days before or after June 6.

For our last update click here.