June 1, 2007 (Montreal, QC) — Organizers of the Montreal Women’s Road Cycling World Cup and the Tour du Grand Montreal held a press conference yesterday at Montreal’s City Hall. Sitting at the head table were Emilie Roy (Specialized-Menikini), Daniel Manibal (President of the Montreal Women’s Road World Cup), Francine Senecal (Vice-president of Montreal’s Executive Committee), and German cyclist, Judith Arndt (T-Mobile). Arndt, who won the 2006 Montreal World Cup, is a serious contender again this year for both events – Canada’s Roy is also racing in both events.

The world’s best female cyclists representing 26 teams – 141 riders are starting – will vie for the 10th edition of the Montreal Women’s Road World Cup. This is round six of the 9-leg women’s road world cup circuit and the only such event taking place in North America. One round took place in Australia and all the rest are in Europe.

New this year is the presence of teams from China, Cuba, and Russia. Among those participating this year is 48-year-old French cyclist, Jeannie Longo (Uniqa), who competed at the first Montreal Road World Cup and is still going strong. Both the start and finish line this year will be on Park Avenue (new this year). Cyclists will tackle Mount Royal 11 times, starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 2nd. There are many good places to watch the race.

Montrealer, Anne Samplonius (Team expresscopy.com), will be racing at her eighth Montreal Road World Cup this year. She has directed the event once and only missed it once in ten years. Samplonius congratulates race organizers for “brilliant” changes to the 111km course, allowing climbers to be out-sprinted on the flat. She thinks this new arrangement will spread out the pack, and expects only 1/2 dozen riders to cross the finish together instead of 30 as in previous years. Based on what she saw at the recent Tour de l’Aude (May 18-27), Samplonius says that 19-year-old Dutch cyclist, Marianne Vos (DSB Bank), is the one she’s putting her money on.

The Tour du Grand Montreal follows the World Cup, taking place from June 4-7 in different locations around Montreal. Organizers bill it as the largest road cycling tour in North America. Some 26 teams will also participate in this event. In 2006, the Tour du Grand Montreal was won by British rider, Nicole Cook (Raleigh Lifeforce).