September 9, 2010 (Quebec City, QC) – Team Canada p/b SpiderTech was introduced at a press conference earlier today with Steve Bauer (Team Director), John Tolkamp (CCA President) and Jacques Landry (CCA High Performance Director-Head Coach) at the head table, moderated by Guy Napert-Frenette (CCA Manager, Communications). We caught with some of the riders to get their impressions of the ProTour and the upcoming races…

Will Routley
Hailing from Whislter BC, the 23-year-old current National Road champion is not just happy to be here but he’s excited to prove himself, “I’m wearing my National Team jersey here in front of Canada and I’m anxious and excited for tomorrow. I have been training on my own and just raced at Green Mountain in Vermont before arriving here.” After the much celebrated win at the Nationals, Routley displayed his jersey at BC Superweek and chose to stay in Canada to train for this objective.

The Jelly Belly rider is anticipating a tough race with a definite splinter in the race at the five-hour mark, “One of my biggest assets is my endurance and I hope to be in the defining split.” Known as a stage racer and gifted climber, Routley is not intimidated in the least by the European pro riders her will face tomorrow. “Respect all – fear none” is how Routley refers to his approach to the Quebec GP.

After the weekend Routley will be attending the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and is a hopeful to race at the Road World Championships as well.

Routley told us that he’d signed with SpiderTech p/b Planet Energy for 2011 for one year but asked that we wait to announce the news – we just received the go-ahead so congrats to Will and SpiderTech.

Charles Dionne
Best known for his two big wins at the now-defunct GP San Francisco the Quebec City native is pumped to race in front of friends and family. At only 148lbs Dionne is perfectly suited to a course like this and is very familiar with the route. “If it rains tomorrow I’m anticipating an early move and really need to think about splits happening each time up the climb. My fitness is OK and I will be active in the mix, but I may be called upon to protect other riders.”

Dionne has been a pro for over ten years now and is another rider who is not intimidated by the field of pros. “I have been racing since I was seven years old, I’m not nervous, just looking forward to it.”

The Fly V Australia rider is currently without contract for next year and is anticipating a move to other things in life, “nothing is definite right now, but I will figure out my future in the coming months.”

Bruno Langlois
At thirty-one years of age Bruno Langlois is having a great season which he credits to a revised off-season plan. “Paulo Sandhala and Steve Bauer have raised my level of training, specific work with changed diet, emphasis on watts and other little things, which have really paid off this year.”

The Quebec native who rides for SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy is obviously excited about the Quebec race, the only one he will ride this weekend. “I will need to be very aware of each surge and the fighting for position before the climb, here I may be called upon to get some other riders forward.”

As for next year there has been no papers signed, but he hopes he can continue with SpiderTech, “…they are a great team, with good teamwork, friends, and a Canadian theme.” Having just returned form a European campaign with the squad, Langlois is ready to impress on his home streets.

Guillaume Boivin
At only 21 years of age, Boivin is easily considered a phenom on the Canadian scene. Last year’s National road champion improved in Europe this year with some stage wins at Mi Aout Bretagne, a UCI 2.2 race.

“Since the Tour of California in the spring, my confidence has been great, I like to be in the mix, fighting for wheels and getting results.” The SpiderTech powered by Planet Energy rider showed incredible poise with a top ten in Philly, “It was definitely an objective, and I think Martin Gilbert and I could have podiumed without some little mistakes.”

Gaining a reputation as a sprinter who can make it to the end of a tough race, Boivin has been completing 200k plus races in Europe in August and is ready to impress, “We have a team meeting tonight and I don’t know if I will be a protected rider, but I have been waiting for this race and am so ready to ride…I even think a top ten from one of us is a possibility here tomorrow”

Dominique Rollin
The Cervelo TestTeam pro is so pleased to have the opportunity to race in his home province for the National squad, “It really is the opportunity of a lifetime, I have butterflies in my stomach thinking of what lies ahead.”
Considered an all-rounder the twenty-seven year old thinks these courses suit his style and ability, “The Quebec City course reminds me of the Tour of Flanders, and I think I will be able to show something tomorrow on it.”

Without a contract for 2011 as Cervelo is joining forces with Garmin, Rollin may have something to prove, “…it’s always difficult to find a contract as the time progresses. I am open to talking with Pro Continental teams for next year.”