07.06.07 - 2007 Tim Hortons Road Nationals - Merrill Collins ends drought

Montreal, July 6, 2007 – Merrill Collins of Ontario earned her first career Canadian title in the criterium race on Friday at the 2007 Tim Hortons Road Nationals cycling competition held at St-Georges de Beauce, Que. Charles Dionne of Quebec took the men’s title.

In the women’s criterium only 11 of the 37 riders completed the 40 kilometre race. ‘’It was very windy,’’ said Collins racing at her seventh nationals. ‘’My goal was to stay as close as possible to the lead pack. It was difficult to finish the race.’’ Alex Wrubleski of Saskatchewan was second and Alison Testroete of B.C., third both clocking 1:12:18.

In the men’s criterium, Dionne took the 54 kilometre race in 1:07:58 with Zach Bell of B.C., second and Keven Lacombe of Aibitibi, Que., third. Dionne made a breakaway on the third lap and held a solid lead until the last lap. He was caught by the pack and won in a sprint to the finish.

‘’In the middle of the race, Cameron Evans and I had a good lead on the pack,’’ said Dionne. ‘’But Cameron didn’t seem to want to ride with me. So I stayed in the lead the rest of the way.’’

‘’This race was very important for me. I was home and a group of 25 family and friends came to watch me,’’ said Dionne. ‘’I managed my race well especially when you consider that I had foot surgery last fall. It’s a promising result for the time trial next Wednesday and for the Pan Am Games in two weeks.’’

Quebec cyclists Guillaume Boivin (1:04:10), Arnaud Papillon (1:04:11) and Stéphane Cossette (1:04:18) were 1-2-3 in the junior criterium.

Competition continues Saturday with the Masters races for men and women with distances set from 60 kilometres to 120 kilometres.