July 28, 2006 (São Paulo, Brazil) – Canada placed 8 of the 11 riders in attendance with the national team in mains last weekend at the final pre-worlds tune up event in São Paulo, Brazil. This event, which was held on the worlds track, gave our athletes the opportunity to ride the course before the World Championships begins today.

Samantha Cools (Airdrie, AB) led the way finishing second in the elite women’s event. James Brown (Airdrie, AB) finished fourth in the junior men’s event. Christine Miller (Airdire AB) and Layne Nyhaug (Port Coquitlam BC) finished fourth and sixth respectively in the junior women’s event while Patrick Lebel (Calgary AB) finished sixth in the elite men’s event.

In the cruiser category, Nyhaug and Kaila Sweeney (Calgary AB) finished second and third in the junior women’s cruiser category while Kevin Hill (Vernon BC) placed fourth in the elite men’s cruiser.

"This was an all round solid competition for the team" said National BMX Coach Tanya Dubnicoff. "We were able to ride the track and get used to the bumps and jumps on the course. Everyone is ready for the big competition."

Canada has 13 riders competing in challenge class at the world championships and many of them were in competition last weekend.

Ilana Just (Red Deer, AB) was second in the 10-year-old girls’ class; Michilla Negenmann (Calgary, AB) finished seventh in the 16 girls; Dillon Sweeney (Calgary AB) finished sixth in the 14 boys’ cruiser; Alex Sailer (Airdire AB) finished eighth in the 15 boys’ 20 inch after sitting second early on and crashing, and later finished third in the 15-16 cruiser class. Finally, Erick Nicol (Calgary AB) finished sixth in the 14 boys’.

"It was a good weekend for the kids and a good warm up for the worlds," said challenge manager Sue Morrow.
The 2006 UCI BMX World Championships get under way today Friday July 28 in São Paulo with junior and elite championship class - where Canada has 11 riders competing - and continue on Saturday with the cruiser category, with 6 athletes representing Canada. We were advised last night that the schedule was moved one day ahead as the forecast calls for rain on Saturday and Sunday in São Paulo. Official event web site and results: http://www.uci.ch/modello.asp?1stLevelID=LB&level1=0&level2=0&idnews=3947

For further information, contact:

Florence Bourg
Communications Manager
Canadian Cycling Association
Cell.: 418-558-4559
florence.bourg@canadian-cycling.com