HOME | MEDIA | NEWS RELEASES | 03.22.06 |
 |
 |
03.22.06 - Commonwealth Games Road cycling : Canadian Cyclists satisfied with 3 top 10
March 21 Melbourne, Australia - Commonwealth Games Road cycling : CANADIAN CYCLISTS SATISFIED WITH 3 TOP 10
The individual time trial competition took place today (last night in Melbourne), four Canadians being on the starting line. Canada's top results were Svein Tuft (BC) in seventh place and Sue Palmer-Komar (ON) in 8th. She was followed by Erinne Willock (BC) in 10th and Zach Bell (YK) finished 13th.
Australia cleaned up on the first day of the road events, sweeping the women's time trial medals and winning gold and silver in the men's category, with only a New Zealand bronze denying them a total haul of the medals.
Tuft was philosophical about his placing in 7th, despite entering the race as one of the favourites. "It's just a lack of racing in my legs. I started fading after eight kilometres - I went out hard like I should, but realistically, coming from Canada, it's hard to have the same form as these guys. For the time of year for me this was a pretty good ride."
Zach Bell, who finished 13th, was also pleased with his ride: "It was a solid ride for me. It has been an intense week, with all the track racing, and the limiting factor for me was muscle fatigue."
In the women's race it was Australia 1-2-3, led by former World Cup series winner Oenone Wood. Her team mate Sara Carrigan - the Olympic road champion - took the bronze, and 1994 Commonwealth Games road champion Kathie Watt the silver. Sue Palmer-Komar, who was the top Canadian in 8th, followed by Erinne Willock in 10th, commented that "this is the best performance I could hope for, so I'm pretty pleased. I asked Lyne (Bessette) if I could borrow her legs, but that would have gotten rather complicated. For the time of year, this is the best I can hope for. This wasn't the best course for me either, I like something tougher, with more climbing."
RESULTS
Women's ITT, 29 km
1. Oenone Wood (Australia) 37:40.87
2. Kathryn Watt (Australia) at 0:15.20
3. Sara Carrigan (Australia) 0:19.45
8. Sue Palmer-Komar (Canada) 2:51.73
10. Erinne Willock (Canada) 3:58.92
Men's ITT, 40 km
1. Nathan O'Neill (Australia) 48:37.29
2. Ben Day (Australia) at 0:24.38
3. Gordon McCauley (New Zealand) 1:13.41
7. Svein Tuft (Canada) 2:32.37
13. Zach Bell (Canada) 3:30.16
The next road event will take place Sunday March 26. Wednesday 22 is a day off for all cyclists. On Thursday 23, Canadian top mountain bike racers Marie-Hélène Prémont, from Chateau-Richer (QC), Kiara Bisaro, from Tofino (C.-B.), Geoff Kabush, from Comox (BC), and Seamus McGrath, from Mississauga (ON) will make the show.
Source:
Rob Jones
Canadian Cyclist
http://www.canadiancyclist.com
Feature stories with photos and riders interviews are posted on the site: www.commonwealthgames.ca
CONTACTS
Florence Bourg
Communications Manager
Canadian Cycling Association
Tel. 1-418-824-9207
Fax. 1-418-824-3499
Cell. 1-418-558-4559
florence.bourg@canadian-cycling.com
|
« back to Main News page
|
|
![[ Results and Stats ]](/cca/images/cca_rec_stats.gif){kind=small}
![[ SHOP ONLINE ]](/cca/images/cca_shop.gif)
![[sitemap]](/cca/images/cca_foot_sitemap.gif){kind=small}
![[contact us]](/cca/images/cca_foot_contact.gif){kind=small}
