June 4, 2007 (Val d’Or, QC) — Pedal has learned that Canada may soon have not one, but two, legs of the 2008 Nations Cup. We recently reported that the north-eastern Quebec city of Saguenay (formerly Chicoutimi) is likely to host one of the six legs of the under 23 (U23) men’s road events of the Nations Cup in 2008. We are now pleased to report that the north-western Quebec region of Abitibi could see the junior Nations Cup in 2008.

The Tour de l’Abitibi (TA) in north-western Quebec is intent on hosting one leg of the junior Nations Cup in 2008. According to Louis Barbeau, director of the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC), TA organizers are trying to host one of the junior legs of the Nations Cup for next year. Barbeau was recently at the UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland, talking to officials there.

“They are keen to see some of events taking place outside of Europe and it will be easier to get approval for (the TA application) now, before other events outside of Europe are on the UCI calendar,” explained Barbeau. He also indicated that the UCI needs to receive the application by about June 8. The Nations Cup could take place around the city of Rouen-Noranda after the Tour de l’Abitibi finishes. Some questions remain about finances and sponsorships.

As with the Saguenay application, Barbeau said, “Canada should take advantage in trying to host such an event, in order to develop cycling in this category and earn as many points as possible. Nations Cup events are only open to national teams, but the hosting country is entitled to have two teams.”

Pedal reached Daniel Richard, chairman of the board of directors of the TA in Val d’Or. Richard said that the TA is very interested in securing this event, but that it involves going from overseeing a one-week event to overseeing two-weeks of events and that many more people would have to be mobilized. “This would make the TA the main centre for junior (road) racing in North America,” concluded Richard.

Founded in 1969, the TA represents the only North American stage of the UCI World Juniors. Each year, the best junior cyclists travel to Abitibi at the end of July to compete in this prestigious event. The 2007 edition will take place from July 16 to 22.

The 2007 Nations Cup involves six events, all of them in Europe. For more information on the Tour de l’Abitibi visit www.tourabitibi.qc.ca