07.09.07 - 2007 Tim Hortons Road Nationals - Hesjedal and Samplonius win time trials

Montreal, July 9, 2007 (Sportcom) – Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria and Anne Samplonius of Montreal won the time trial races on Monday at the Tim Hortons Road Nationals cycling competition held at St-Georges de Beauce, Que.

In the men’s event, Hesjedal completed the 40 kilometre route in 52 minutes and 44.16 seconds. ‘’After finishing third two years ago and second last year all I wanted was to win,’’ said Hesjedal savouring his first career national time trial title.

In the women’s race, Samplonius also earned her first Canadian time trial crown. ‘’I’d been waiting for that win for a long time,’’ she said. ‘’Last year I fell short by a half-second so I really wanted to win this year. I trained hard for this race and I’m very satisfied.’’

‘’The course was short (20 kilometres) and I would have preferred a 30 kilometre race. There was no room for error and I pushed hard from the start,’’ said Samplonius, who trained for four weeks at altitude in the Colorado mountains. ‘’Whether I was in the climbs or in the downhills, I tried to maintain the same intensity from start to finish. I raced at the Tour de l’Aude and Tour du grand Montréal back to back and that increased my strength. I kept that fitness level for the nationals.’’

Lyne Bessette returned to road racing for the first time in over a year and placed an impressive second. She finished 41 seconds back of Samplonius.

‘’I didn’t make any major errors because I did a test run on this course last week. My coach (Éric Van den Eynde) provided good advice throughout the race. I haven’t raced much this year so it’s very encouraging. Anne was the one to beat today.’’

Bessette is currently training for the individual pursuit track event and will decide this September whether she’ll pursue a berth on the Olympic team.

In the men’s under-23 race, David Veilleux successfully defended his title. Christian Meier of B.C., was second only 1.42 seconds behind the winner.

Monday’s medallists

U 23 women
1- Julie Beveridge (AB) 30min 47,45s
2- Émilie Roy (QC) 31min 21,55s
3- Karol-Ann Canuel (QC) 32min 41,29s

U 23 men
1- David Veilleux (QC) 41min 27,79s
2- Christian Meier (BC) 41min 29,21
3- Bradley Fairall (BC)

Senior women
1- Anne Samplonius (QC) 29min 33,86s
2- Lyne Bessette (QC) 30min 08,57s
3- Leigh Hobson (ON) 30min 38,79s

Seniors men
1- Ryder Hesjedal (BC) 52min 44,16s
2- Svein Tuft (BC) 53min 22,19s
3- Zach Bell (BC) 54min 44,67s

Full results
http://www.tourdebeauce.com/en/site.asp?page=element&nIDElement=1002