May 25, 2006 — The Canadian Cycling Association is proud to have had Lyne Bessette among its National Team members for ten years, as she announced yesterday during a press conference in Montreal that she is retiring from competitive road cycling.

The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and fans of Lyne Bessette will no longer have the chance to see her in action at road competitions. The Knowlton (QC) rider, announced yesterday that she is retiring from pro road cycling, following a series of injuries added to the stress of trying to remain in the world’s top 10. Lyne, 31, was a member of the Canadian National Team since 1996, and a member of T-Mobile pro cycling Team in 2006, decided to put and end to a 8-year professional cycling career and pass the torch on to younger hopefuls.

“It is obviously disappointing for Canadian and international cycling, but we respect Lyne’s personal decision and we hope to integrate her soon to our Women’s development cycling program,” said Kris Westwood, CCA Director of High Performance Programs, who has been following the athlete for many years. “And on top of it, we would like to thank her for her contribution to canadian cycling. She has been a great athlete and women’s cycling spokesperson.”

Bessette’s coach Eric Van den Eynde, highlighted “her superior athletic skills, determination and hard-working personality.”

Lyne Bessette is an accomplished athlete in several cycling disciplines: road, cyclo-cross and even mountain biking. She will be absent from the Montréal Women’s World Cup this weekend, but is still willing to take part in some cyclo-cross races. Lyne also mentioned that she will go on cycling for fun, she wishes to spend more time with her family and have children.

Still, she fulfilled her dream, which was to take part in the Olympic Games, and she did it twice: in 2002 and 2004. Her most memorable sporting achievement in career was winning the gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Lyne Bessette’s career highlights
“¢ 2001 and 2004 Canadian road race champion,
“¢ 2001 and 2003 Canadian time trial champion,
“¢ 2002 and 2005 Canadian cyclo-cross champion,
“¢ Winner of Tour de l’Aude in 1999 and 2001
“¢ Gold medallist, 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Lyne Bessette will remain for the CCA a model of integrity, a great personality and a dynamic cycling spokesperson. We wish her the best of luck in the achievement of her new projects!