December 24, 2006 – Karol-Ann Canuel, from Amos, Quebec, placed 5th at the UCI Junior Road World Championships in Belgium this past August. Canuel, 18, is part of the new Specialized-Menikini women’s team and we caught up with her at the team’s press conference recently at Montreal’s Chu Chai Thai restaurant. As we sampled what might be the best vegetarian food in Montreal, Canuel came across as shy, and delightfully unaccustomed to the spotlight she now finds herself in.

What got you into cycling?

KAC: My uncle is a member of the Club cycliste d’Amos and he invited me to a ride when I was 11 years-old.

What is the best moment that you’ve enjoyed in cycling?

(at this point, Canuel’s friend and teammate, Marie-Pier Bédard stepped into the conversation and jokingly introduced herself as KAC’s “sister”)

MPB: Winning fifth place in Belgium was certainly a highlight!

KAC: Yes, I was extremely happy with my fifth place finish at the junior world championships in Belgium. Nonetheless, I would have liked to be on the podium, but I had a very good race and remain proud of my fifth place finish.

What was the worst moment that you’ve experienced?

MPB: Karol-Ann found it very frustrating when she was riding as a cadet in 2004 because the competition was not tough enough. She was winning all of her races and this made her think (incorrectly) that she didn’t need to train. But she had to look beyond the situation she found herself in then.

KAC: (joking) Marie-Pier is my agent. I’ve known her for years and often stay with her when I visit Montreal.

Apart from Marie-Pier, who else have you already cycled with on the new Specialized-Menikini team? (the team also includes Shanie Bergeron, Olivia Gollan, Heather Lamson, Émilie Roy, Élodie Touffet and Marie-Pier Bédard)

KAC: I’m very happy with my new team riders that I’ve known for a long time. It will be really cool to ride with them and we’re going to ride really well together because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses

The summers are short in Amos, Quebec (about 6 hours north of Montreal in the Abitibi region) so how do you train in the winter?

KAC: I do a lot of cross-country skiing (but not competitively), spinning, and body building. Top Canadian rider Kevin Lacombe also hails from Amos.

Who is your present coach?

KAC: Remi Lessard of the college’s sport-etude program.

What is it about cycling that attracts you to the sport?

KAC: I like that it is both a team sport and an individual sport.

How do you compare European to North American races?

KAC: I can’t really compare North American races to European ones because apart from the Canadian championships and races in Quebec, I haven’t competed in many races (on this continent). The world championships can’t really be compared to other races because they’re the best in the world.

Who are your cycling idols?

KAC: I don’t really have an idol who has motivated me in cycling. Nonetheless, Lyne Bessette is a great champion who demonstrated that everything is possible.

What are your plans in cycling?

KAC: I hope that 2007 will be a good transition year for me, going from junior to senior. I’m also hoping for some good results during the season. I’m really looking forward to the Montreal Women’s World Cup and the Tour du Grand Montreal. And I would like (of course) to someday make it to the Olympic Games.

Are you looking forward to the new Tour de PEI women’s race in 2007?

KAC: Actually, I won’t race at the 2007 Tour de PEI because that event immediately follows the Tour du Grand Montreal and my team doesn’t want me getting burned out doing too many tours.

What do you do when you’re not on a bike saddle?

KAC: I study natural sciences at CEGEP (college). I hope to someday study nursing science at university.

For your cycling fans, when is your birthday?

KAC: April 18.