December 20, 2006 (Montreal, QC) – Canada’s only UCI-sanctioned women’s team revealed its 2007 roster and calendar at a press conference held in the trendy Newtown Bar on Crescent Street, owned by race car driver, Jacques Villeneuve.

As a light snow fell outside and the sidewalks were packed with Christmas shoppers the three Team Expresscopy.com team members on hand were introduced including Stéphanie Bourbeau, Audrey Lemieux and Joëlle Numainville.

Team manager, Scott Gerrie and sponsor Argon 18 co-owner, Gervais Rioux, a three-time Canadian road champ who competed at the 1988 Olympics, were also on hand. Argon 18 was proudly displaying its bikes, including the 12-lb Platinum edition with carbon frame.

The team’s 2007 calendar begins with a Tucson training camp in February and ends up at the Road World Championships in late September.

Apart from a busy schedule with over 100 events in 12 countries, the Expresscopy.com team will also be involved with a program to bolster health awareness among female high school students. The program, called “FitSpirit,” was conceived to encourage teenage girls to exercise more, and to lead healthy and well-balanced lives.

Lemieux is pleased to be a role model for high school girls to promote good health. About her plans for 2007 she said, “Riding with this team is my special plan. I want to help my teammates as much as I can.”

She added that she was looking forward to the Tour de PEI women’s race. When asked about the challenges facing women cyclists, she said that “cycling is almost a different sport for women than it is for men.” She explained that women’s cycling usually involves shorter distances and is less prestigious.

Lemieux also had some advice to aspiring female riders: “Find something that you like and you’ll go farther with it and accomplish something, and ultimately you will be a better person.”

Among those attending the press conference were Louis Barbeau, FQSC director general, and Guy Maguire of Veloptimum.

Team Expresscopy.com 2007

– Gina Grain (BC)
– Anne Samplonius (Que.)
– Jessica Phillips (USA)
– Meshy Holt (NZ)
– Erinne Willock (BC)
– Audrey Lemieux (Que.)

Development Team
– Joelle Numainville (Que.)
– Stephanie Bourbeau (Que.)
– Jennifer Stephenson (Ont.)
– Amanda Shaw (Ont.)
– Jennifer Magur (USA)
– Alison Testroete (Alb.)

Team expresscopy.com Management & Support:
Scott Gerrie, Team Manager; Claudine Labelle, PR coordinator; Justin Olson Head mechanic; Chris Cavacuiti Team Doctor and Jeff Alexander Head soigneur.

Title Sponsor: expresscopy.com
Supporting Sponsor: Biovail
Associate Sponsor: L2RCP (Love 2 Ride Cycling Partners)
Associate Sponsor: King and Victoria Fund
Associate Sponsor: Giroscopic Sports Management
Associate and Product Sponsor:
Kenda USA
Tri Flow Lubricants

Product Sponsors:
– Argon18
– Clif Bar
– Champion System
– Rudy Project Helmets & Glasses
– Selle Italia
– Banff Design
– Jessam Communication
– Newport Media
– Jagwire cables and brake pads
– Inno Racks