July 11, 2012 (Penticton, BC) – This past weekend saw two North Vancouver cyclists qualify to represent Canada at next month’s UCI World Cycling Tour World Championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Competing at the Axel Merckx Gran Fondo in Penticton, Larry Zimich riding for Marin Bikes/Shimano/Pro won the men’s 45-49 age group in the 160km event with a time of 4hrs 12min, while Krista Rawlings even after suffering two punctures with 18km to go, still managed to finish 3rd in the woman’s 40-44 age group in a time of 4hrs 52min.

The UCI World Cycling Tour is a 13-event series taking place world wide with the only stop in Canada being this last weekend in Penticton. Riders qualify through the series with the final being an invite-only event taking place on August 20th.