January 10, 2004 – The Canadian National Road Cycling team will swoop into Wellington for the first time in an attempt to take the Trust House Cycle Classic. The Canadian team lead by top international rider Eric Wohlberg, is rated among the strongest in the field and is expected to be extremely difficult to beat in the Tour, that runs from January 28th to February 1st.
“The appearance of the Canadians helps make this one of the strongest fields in the tour's history. With the growing reputation of this event we hope to attract even stronger interest next year,” said race organizer, Jorge Sandoval.
“Leading the charge is Eric Wohlberg, the current Canadian TT National champion and winner of many National championships, stage races and Gold medals at the Commonwealth and Pan American Games over the recent years. To cycling fans around the world, Eric doesn't need any introduction,” Sandoval said.
“I've wanted to bring Eric to my tour for years. Now as a surprise to me and thanks to the contacts of new Track Coach from Bike NZ, Canadian Kurt Innes, who contacted me and asked for an invitation, Canada may now be the team to beat,” he continued.
“Wohlberg holds a record of seven consecutive Time Trials wins at the Canadian Road National Championships. The Trust House Cycle Classic penultimate stage is a 19km individual time trial on the last day, so this should suit him well,” said Sandoval.
Canada's team sprinter is Charles Dionne, who's biggest win came at the San Francisco GP back in September of 2002 when he out sprinted the field for the victory at one of the biggest races in North America. An early season crash at Langkawi, left him nursing a thigh injury for much of the year, but he should be back in fine form for 2004. Dionne won the Road National Championships in 2001 and 2002 as well as three stage wins in the 2002 Tour of Toona in the USA.
Hill climber Dominique Perras, the defending Canadian National Champion, is a hill climber specialist and won the KOM in the Tour de Romandie in 2002. He also represented Canada at the Hamilton 2003 Road Worlds.
Completing the line-up is Cory Lange and Peter Wedge. “I saw Corey Lange at this year's Tour of Chile riding for his professional team Marco Polo, he is a very strong rider, especially on long stages,” said Sandoval.
The Canadian team is arriving in Wellington on January 25 and will stay in Wellington for two weeks training at the end of the tour.