June 26, 2004 – In just over an hour, the Tim Hortons 2004 Road Nationals Criterium will begin in downtown Kamloops, B.C. Although not an official championships, it will be hotly contested – with the key word being “hot” – as it’s close to 30 Celsius, without a cloud in sight.

The crit will hit the main streets of Kamloops, and there should be a good crowd for the event. Favourites for the race have to be last year’s elite women’s winner, Gina Grain (Victory Brewing) and certainly Andrew Pinfold (Symmetrics Cycling), the elite men’s winner in 2000. Pinfold will have several teammates riding the event, though it is expected many riders will ride as conservatively as possible to save themselves for tomorrow’s tough road race. The road race will be a relentless, attritious event, with the course climbing in several tough steps, before descending back into downtown Kamloops. We will have results later today, after the races are completed…