May 29, 2012 (Lachine, QC) – Speaking at the 2012 Mardis Cyclistes season launch press conference, Quebec Cycling Federation (FQSC) director Louis Barbeau urged Cycling Canada Cyclisme (formerly the CCA) to select Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) to the Canadian road team at the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer. Hesjedal, of course, is the winner of the recent 2012 Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy).
A tanned Barbeau explained that he was in Italy for a Paracycling World Cup and turned out for the finish of the May 5-27 Giro in Milan. “I was with people from the Italian Cycling Federation and they were hoping that Ryder would win. And this is only partly because they preferred seeing a Canadian on top of the podium rather than a Spaniard!”
“What Ryder did there was incredible and the CCA should choose him for the London 2012 national team,” continued Barbeau. “Ryder could potentially race at the Tour de France [June 30—July 22] and then compete at the Olympic road race in London [on July 28]. British cyclist Mark Cavendish (Sky Procycling) is doing both! London is only a one-day race…” Barbeau did not answer whether he thought Hesjedal would prefer competing at the TdF rather than the Olympics.
“The only spot on the men’s Olympic team should go to Ryder. Let’s hope that he will inspire youth to get into cycling,” added Barbeau. There has been some controversy over who should be selected for Canada’s one berth on the men’s road team at the London Olympics.
Other contenders include Michael Barry (Sky), Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEDGE), and David Veilleux (Europcar). Barbeau’s enthusiastic support for Hesjedal was highlighted by a banner at the Mardis Cyclistes press conference that read: “Ryder Hesjedal, champion Giro d’Italie 2012. Bravo et merci.”
Barbeau also noted something in common between Hesjedal, defending TdF champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team), and defending Mardis Cycliste champion Jean-François Laroche (Fantino-Cycles Régis) – all three started their cycling careers on mountain bikes. “This shows that the different disciplines within cycling can complement each other,” he noted. And he joked how Laroche works during the day as a lawyer, “…but can really pedal hard on Tuesday evenings!”
“The formula developed by [Mardis organizer Joseph ‘Tino ‘] Rossi has proved very popular among Quebec cyclists,” added Barbeau. Cyclists come in from the far corners of Quebec to race here: Lac St. Jean and the Townships. Year after year, Rossi has created a ‘bicycle festival’ here in Lachine.”
Rossi described the Lachine crits as a launching pad for many talented Canadian riders and believes that Hesjedal has raced in Lachine at some point. Other international stars have also raced in Lachine, including Canada’s legendary Steve Bauer, Evans who raced one stage about 10 years ago, and most recently Floyd Landis.
Laroche spoke about how wonderful it is that the Mardis series are enjoying their 35th year. He spoke about how he is the best of friends with Martin Gilbert (SpiderTech) when they’re not racing. “But when we race we’re the worst enemies. There is a lot of fierce elbowing going on!”
As reported previously, the Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc has signed on as the series’ new title sponsor for a period of three years. Eric Laurence VP, Logistics and Distribution at PJC said that his company is proud to be associated with the Mardis Cyclistes in what many see as a focus on healthy lifestyles. Laurence also revealed that he is a triathlete and will be competing at upcoming events in Lake Placid, NY and at Mont-Tremblant.
Hannah Parish, representing Specialized Canada, spoke about how her company is also proud to be among those supporting the Mardis series. She also mentioned that two Specialized executives, Larry Koury and Serge Lacroix, used to race at the Mardis Lachine crits between 1978 and 1988. Parish spoke together with Evelyne Forget, co-owner of Bicycles Quilicot, a major retailer of Specialized products.
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