06.27.09 - Alison Testroete crowned Canadian road champion

June 27, 2009 – Alison Testroete won the gold medal in the women’s road race on the second day of competition at the national championships in St-Georges-de-Beauce. She nipped Gina Grain, the 2007 champion, at the finish line. Merril Collins completed the 135 kilometre race in third spot.

Erinne Willock rocketed from the start and rode solo for 30 kilometres before being caught by the peloton. After several failed attacks, Willock escaped from the pack again two-thirds into the race. Anne Samplonius quickly caught her and the pair collaborated for about 20 kilometres before being reeled in by the pack.

The tempo increased over the final kilometres and the sprint to the finish started with only 300 metres to go.

Testroete was delighted with the win. ‘’I didn’t expect to win but I knew my chances were good,’’ said the Abbotsford cyclist. ‘’The course suited me and I was hoping for a top-five finish so I could be selected for national team assignments.’’

Joelle Numainville was fourth overall but placed first in the under-23 category. Denise Ramsden and Karol-Ann Canuel were seventh and eighth overall and second and third for the under-23 class.

Numainville was well positioned for the final sprint but some bad luck cost her a medal. ‘’I’m disappointed,’’ she said. ‘’I was here to win and I felt good. I had a good race and I did a lot of chasing to reel in the leaders. I really thought I could win it at the sprint but my shoe clip unlocked.’’

The 180 kilometre men’s road race (four 45 kilometre laps) is scheduled for Sunday. Christian Meier will defend his national road title and David Veilleux will do the same in the under-23 category.

Results (PDF 40 KB)