July 14, 2008 – David Veilleux (QC) Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast has established himself as one of the future stars of Canadian cycling over the last few seasons. If his form over the last month is any indication then the future is “now” for Veilleux. Not only did he defend his U23 National time trial title, he placed third amongst the senior men and re-took the road race title he lost to Christian Meier last year. Add to these impressive results, an overall win as well as the points jersey at the Tour of Pennsylvania and Veilleux seems poised for big things in the sport.

The 20-year-old (21 by his racing age) from Quebec City is in his 5th year road racing, having found his start riding mountain bikes at age 12. Despite having won the Tour de L’Abitibi as a junior, Veilleux describes his win at the Tour of Pennsylvania as his biggest to date. Despite his GC win, Veilleux commented that “the stage race was good since it was made for espoirs, but I think I am better suited for one-day classics or one-day stages.”

While Veilleux hasn’t heard from the National Team about what might be in store for the fall, he still has a big end to the season ahead of him, as he’ll be working in a support role for his Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team on the lead into the Tour of Missouri. “We have a really good team program this year, doing the Tour of Missouri, and Elk Grove and a number of other races, so preparation should be good for the Road Worlds.”

He talked about the supportive role his team has provided for him this season; “the team is really good, we work a lot together and it is great having two other Quebecois on the roster.” He also mentioned the benefit of having a great director adding that “Jonas Carney is really good with us.”

The next part of the season will see Veilleux riding in a support role for his team, “I be riding in more of a team role, trying to support our sprinters and provide lead outs.” He still has some of his own ambitions for the season however commenting that “I would like to do well in the U25 category at Missouri and have a good ride at the Road Worlds.”

When asked what the future has in store for the young rider, and whether Europe might be in those plans, Veilleux commented on how he balances more than just riding a bike fast: “We will see what the future brings, but for the next years I’ll stay in the US. I’ve got school as well to consider, and I like to try and manage both. I will be entering university in September, where I will be taking Mechanical Engineering at the University of Montreal.”

With big results coming fast and furious despite balancing his athletics and his academics, Veilleux seems set to be a rider to watch for years to come.