June 07, 2013 (Almonte, ON) – A quality field will be assembling for this weekend’s Mississippi Mills Grand Prix, held for the second year an hour west of Ottawa. The only multiple day stage race in Ontario has drawn some of the top riders in the province. Ontario Cup leader Ed Veal will head a Wheels of Bloor team from Toronto as he attempts to preserve his points lead against a number of strong teams who will be looking for good results at home.

Organizing club Ride With Rendall is lead by Ontario Cup #2 winner Casey Roth, and last year’s champion former National Champion Aaron Fillion. The Stevens p/b the Cyclery team brings a strong 8-rider line up that includes perennial strong men Derek St. John and Jean-Sebastien Perron as well as young TT gun Matteo Dal-Cin.

The Toronto team OCTTO-Cervelo is another large well rounded team with riders drawn from across the province and as far as Ireland. Local veteran Osmond Bakker will be looking to capitalize on the support that this strong line up can give him.

Racing starts tomorrow evening with the Blakeney Circuit Race. Saturday will see the elites race an 18km time trial in the morning – a race that could favour specialists such as Fillion and Dal-Cin. The time trial course will see other categories race their own stand alone Ontario Cup afterwards – with most categories completing two laps for 38km.

Saturday night will see the racers tackle the technical Almonte Criterium course. Last year the Steven’s squad swept the podium, however sprinters such as Veal and recent Bill Patterson Memorial winnter Doug Van den Ham (Nine2FivePro.com) will be looking to put a stop to any thoughts of a repeat sweep.

The 170km monster finale is likely to be the deciding day for riders with GC aspirations. Last year’s winner Bayden Britchard will benefit from having a strong team around him this year. However holds the GC lead after this stage will be a deserving winner- and it is already shaping up to be an exciting race!