April 1/06 6:44 am - Hesjedal Returns to his Roots, Kabush New Look, Wohlberg Commits to Symmetrics Cycling

Posted by Editoress on 04/1/06
 

Ryder Hesjedal Returns to MTB

One of the more interesting comments that Ryder Hesjedal made during our recent interview (Daily News - March 30th) was that he is probably going to return to mountain biking next year, with a view to competing at the Beijing Olympics.

"Yeah, my Olympic experience in Athens wasn't so good (he was caught in a crash near the start, and then crashed again on the first lap while at the front, subsequently dropping out). So I still have something to prove there. I've talked about it with Phonak (his ProTour squad), and they are cool with the idea. I'll be doing selected World Cups, nationals and Worlds."


Kabush Shaves

Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) has shaved off his famous sideburns, hoping that this will help him regain the speed and strength that deserted him at the Commonwealth Games.

"We still don't know what is causing the problem, and it's really, really frustrating. So at dinner last night Shamoe (Seamus McGrath) suggested I dump the 'burns, and I thought 'Why not, it can't hurt'. I don't know how much of a difference it made, but I'm feeling stronger today."


Wohlberg Signs with Symmetrics through 2016

Symmetrics Cycling has announced that Eric Wohlberg has agreed to remain with the team through at least 2016. Wohlberg, at 40, continues to be one of the top Canadian road racers, finishing second in both the time trial and road race at the Nationals last year, and 34th in the time trial at the Worlds. Wohlberg will be 50 years old in the final year of his contract.

"We are extremely pleased to have signed Eric through the next ten years." commented Mark Cunningham of Symmetrics. "He has proven over and over that age has no meaning to him, and we expect to see him winning races throughout the next 10 years."

Wohlberg gave a typical no-nonsense response to the question of his age, and ability to still be competitive. "These young guys, they have no concept of the word suffer - well, except for maybe Svein (Tuft, his team mate). I'll be kicking their asses well into the next decade."

Cunningham declined to comment on the rumour that Ensure was signing on as a co-sponsor for the team, or that Symmetrics was currently in negotiations with Gord Fraser and Steve Bauer.