Québec City (QC), July 2, 2006 - The names to come out of the Tim Hortons National Road Cycling Championships this weekend in Québec City and Lévis were those of well-known athletes Dominique Rollin (QC) and Svein Tuft (BC), as well as some new faces in champions David Veilleux (QC) and Alexandra Wrubleski (SK).

"It was an exceptional event, despite weather conditions that made things difficult for the riders. Participation levels were beyond our expectations with more than 700 entries. We also appreciated the co-operation we received from Québec City and Lévis and from their police. The athletes were really happy with the security proceedings," noted Pierre W. Blanchard, president of the Canadian Cycling Association. "We would like to thank the organizers of Podium Québec, the municipal authorities, citizens and visitors. Without them, the event could never have gone off so smoothly."

Moreover, cycling continues to grow in popularity and Québec City is a major tourist attraction in itself, a winning combination for any successful event.

According to Podium Québec president Louis Bonenfant,  "Over 2,000 people stayed in the greater Québec area during the week of the event. Holding the championships shows Québec City to be capable of hosting major cycling events and we hope the championships will return to Québec in 2008."

One of the highlights of the championships was without doubt the road race which went between the local beauty spots of Gilmour Hill and Grande Allée, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats until the final sprint. The elite men served up a tactical race, full of suspense, with Québec racer Dominique Rollin, from Boucherville, riding masterfully.

Rollin was not the only rider from Québec to find himself on the podium over the course of the weekend. David Veilleux (Cap-Rouge, QC) was crowned new Canadian champion among the U23s, managing to win both the time trial and the road race. Young Quebecer Karol-Ann Canuel, 18 years old, took gold in the junior category of the road race, as well as bronze in the time trial. In the handisport,   Jean Quevillon, Mark Breton (time trial and road race) Beggs (time trial), Stéphane Chaput (road race), Robert Labbé (road race) and Gene De La Siega (road race and time trial) were all crowned Canadian champions.

But it was 22-year-old Alexandra Wrubleski of Régina, SK (Team H&R Block) who was the star of the show, taking home two national titles in as many days (time trial and road race, all categories). And Svein Tuft from Langley, BC, repeated his exploits of the past two years, winning the men's elite time trial.

The children's race was also held on July 2. The "TimBits Challange" attracted no shortage of children who took to the 1km-long circuit, the same criterium course used by the other racers around Québec's National Assembly. The criterium proved as exciting as had been hoped, even if the track was slippery in places. But the rain did no harm to Montrealer Anne Samplonius's chances, as she took the women's elite race, closely followed by Alexandra Wrubleski. "It was a technical race, quick with a climb, just as I like it," said Samplonius. The men's race, under sunnier conditions, saw Cameron Evans, of Vancouver, BC, crowned champion for the second time since 2004.

See you at the 2007 National Cycling Championships in Bromont (QC).

All the results are now available on our website: www.podiumquebec.com.

• Click here for a complete list of the 2006 Canadian Champions [pdf]
  
  

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

Jean-Sébastien Porlier
V.-P. Communication
Podium Québec
Cell. 418-254-7082
jsporlier@podiumquebec.com
www.podiumquebec.com