August 28, 2002 (Cowansville, QC) – Organizers of the Transoceane
unfortunately were unable to save this Quebec race and had to cancel
it. This morning, the International Cycling Union (UCI) cancelled the
race. Due to the many changes to the race by the organizers, UCI status
could not be maintained for the event and new status wasn’t given to
Quebec or Brittany for their individual events.

“Many international elite women races were cancelled this year” said Jean
Lessard, Transoceane president. “We thought that the UCI would understand
our situation and authorize the Grand Prix féminin international du Québec
and the Tour International Féminin de Bretagne to return as distinct
events, which would have given cyclists the
chance here to prepare for the World Road Championships.”

After attempting every possibility, the organizers exhausted their options
to organize this compeition for September 19th. “For the past year we’ve
been faced with many financial obstacles. Organizing a bicycle race is
very difficult as you cannot count on income from ticket sales, as with
other sports. We hoped until the last minute to acheive the budget we
needed. This news is disappointing for the organizers, the region, and
mostly the teams.”

The organizers had been able to interest the best cyclists in the world.
Genevieve Jeanson (Rona) and Lyne Bessette (Quebec Provincial Team) were
registered, as well as Aline Camboulives from the French team, Pia
Sundstedt (Sponsor Service, NOR), Hanka Kupfernagel (Nurnberger
Versicherung, ALL), Judith Arndt
(Saturn, Ô°-U), Valentina Polkhanova and Olga Slioussareva (Itera, ITA),
Alessandra Cappellotto (Powerplate-bik, HOL). Also, the national teams
from France, Great-Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and German were on the
list
for the Transoceane race to prepare for the Road Worlds in Zolder,
Belgium. “The 20 best teams were supposed to be at the start line. We
wouldn’t have been able to see a better show, that’s for sure.” said
Lessard.

The Transoceane would like to thank all who believed in the project and
who supported us during these past years, especially the various
governments, the Brome-Missisquoi region and Brittany, the suppliers, the
athletes and the teams that showed an interest in our race.

The Defi Velo Mag is still being staged. Le Defi Velo Mag, a public race
with more than 700 participants in Sutton, will still be held on September
22nd. The people that are interested in participating can register until
September 13th. Visit our web site at www.latransoceane.com for
registeration forms.