05.03.12 - CANADIAN JUNIOR ROAD CYCLISTS SHINE IN BELGIUM

Ben Perry wins opening Kermess, Top 5 in InterClub

(Ottawa, ON – May 3, 2012) The Canadian Junior Men’s squad landed in Belgium last week and since enjoyed unprecedented success, finishing both race with a Canadian presence in the Top 5, including a victory by Benjamin Perry.

On a 20-lap, 3.6km circuit consisting of a mixed concrete blocks, bricks, and cobbled climbs with a smooth paved descent, the Canadian U19 men’s team clearly made their presence felt in Belgium.

After having a presence in all of the early moves, a two-person group consisting of Benjamin Perry (St. Catharines, ON) and Quinten Hermans (Young Telenet Fidea, 4th at 2012 Cyclo-cross World Championships) established a breakaway, steadily increasing their gap throughout the duration of the race.

With the rest of his Canadian team-mates protecting his lead, Perry comfortably went on to win the two-person sprint at the finish line, taking the victory. Behind, the Team Canada riders all placed well in their respective groups.

U19 Canadian Mens team continue their strong showing at the Inter Club level.
May 1 is when Belgium celebrates Labour Day, and what better way to celebrate than having a cycling road race. The 'Inter Club' level events are a series of Belgium Cup races held over the season. Along with the Canadian National squad lined up at the start line were many local Belgian and Dutch teams, which included the presence of New Zealand’s Hayden McCormick, a Track World Championships medallist.

The course was held on the flat roads south of the industrial city of Antwerpen, the second largest sea port in Europe and was comprised of five laps of twenty kilometers. By European standards, the roads were wide, making the chances of a long breakaway difficult.

The Canadian squad did a very good job of representing the National colors at the front of the peloton, The lead group to open up a significant lead included Canada's Benjamin Perry, winner of the previous race. Building up a maximum lead of fifty five seconds the group was absorbed by the chasing peloton after fifty kilometers of freedom.

When Hayden McCormick attacked with ten kilometers remaining in the event, only eight athletes were able to respond, which included Canada's Ben Perry, who was fourth on the line.

“I'm glad that I went for it,” said Perry. "What a great day and a great race."

Behind, his team-mates did a fantastic job of shutting down the chasing efforts, particularly Ben Chartrand. Max Toeldte and Brandon Etzel gained valuable experience in the elbow-to-elbow nature of bunch sprints at this level.

The Canadian junior riders will race twice more this weekend, the Wortegem Inter Club and the Overijse Kermess.

RACE PROFILE
Event: Molenstede, Belgium
Date: April 29, 2012
Class: Juniores 1.14.3
Type: Kermess
Starters: 56
Distance: 72km
Winner: PERRY, BEN (TEAM CHCH) (CANADA) 1:47:00

RESULTS
1. PERRY, BEN (TEAM CHCH) (CANADA) 1:47:00
2. HERMANS, QUINTEN (VZW YOUNG TELENET FIDEA CYCLING TEAM) S.T.
3. HOEYBERGHS, DAAN (TEAM CICLISMO MUNDIAL) +1:11
4. MEYS JORAN (DE DIJLESPURTERS V.V. MECHELEN V.Z.W.) +1:11
5. ESSELAAR, REMCO(WCL BERGKLIMMERS +1:11

==========
9. ETZL BRANDON (SPIDERTECH POWERED BY POWERWATTS) +2:32
18. DE BOEVER, HENRI (CYCLING BC) +2:32
24. CHARTRAND, BENJAMIN (ESPOIRS QUILLCOT) +2:49
32. TOELDTE, MAX (BYRDS) +3:06
39. TRIVETT, SIMON (ATLANTIC CYLING CENTER) +3:06

RACE PROFILE
Event: Hoboken, Belgium
Date: May 1, 2012
Class: Juniores 1.14 NAT
Type: Inter Club (Belgian Cup)
Starters: 136
Distance: 100km
Website: http://www.wacteam.be/
Winner: ANECA, CISKE (KONINKLIJKE BRUGSE VELOSPORT VZW) 2:20:09

RESULTS
1. ANECA, CISKE (KONINKLIJKE BRUGSE VELOSPORT VZW) 2:20:09
2. GOEREE, NIELS (EMMEN WSV) S.T.
3. McCORMICK, HAYDEN (DCM-GB VORSELAAR CYCLING TEAM VZW) S.T.
4. PERRY, BENJAMIN (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM) +0:06
5. DEKKER, SJORS (VIKING-WATERLAND) +0:06

40. TOELDTE, MAX (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM) +0:23
42. ETZEL, BRANDON (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM+0:23
47. CHARTRAND, BENJAMIN (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM) +0:23
75.. TRIVETT, SIMON (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM) +0:23
DNF. DE BOEVER, HENRI (CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM)