May 2/00 12:31 pm - Canadian Pride in Athens,Georgia

Posted by Editor on 05/2/00
 

Canadians in Athens, Georgia

Ex-pat Canadian mountain bike pro Dave Irving sent in a report from Athens, Georgia, where he now lives (and races for the Porterfield Tire Team).

Gord Fraser wasn't the only Canadian in Athens Ga. at the Xcelerate Twilight Criterium showing superb form, and dominating the Americans at a very American event. Bill Hurley and Julian Hine collectively won all three mtb events over the weekend, reminding people just how dominant and deep Canada's mtb talent is.

Hurley and Hine came first and third in the time trial, separated by only a handful of seconds, easily qualifying them for the fat-tire crit that night, just before the Pro 1/2 men's race.

The two Canadians stayed at or near the front all night keeping the pace high as riders were being shot off the back at an alarming rate. With three to go, only 18 of the 50 starters remained. Going in to the last lap, Julian went to the front and put on a show for the thousands of screaming fans that lined the 1 km rectangle. He kept the pace at Mercury speed - stringing everyone into single file for the entire lap with Hurley in tow. First into the last corner, Hine explained "I was pegged, but I wanted to put on a show and nailed that last corner at terminal speed and knew Bill would have perfect positioning for the sprint." Hurley simply overpowered everyone, and as he crossed the line first by a wheel, it was Julian who had his arms in the air - high enough to celebrate for both of them. It was truly a great moment for the two Canadians.

Hurley then grabbed a Canadian flag for a celebratory lap - the same flag that Fraser would celebrate with an hour later.

The next morning at the XC, it was obvious who the strong-man of the weekend was. When Hurley gapped the lead group on the first lap to take the lap prime - he was simply let go without a challenge. It was simply a race for second. Hine worked the chase group of five down to two by the last lap and almost stuck a mid lap attack, but was caught for third.

The post race conversations had people asking "when are those damn Canadians going home?"

Canadians have won all of the AMBC races so far this year in the Southeast (Florida, North Carolina, Georgia) as well as most of the state and regional races.


D'Ornellas Time Trial - Ontario

The Thursday Time Trials start this week on the evening of May 4 at 6:45. Run every week by Geoff Gadd, they are open to all but proof of OCA insurance is necessary to participate (insurance is available through club membership, an OCA racing license or OCA membership). There will be a charge of $2 per week. A draw prize will be given away each week and results will be posted on the D'Ornellas club website.

For the first month we will be alternating routes between the D'Ornellas 12.6 km loop and a 15km route (the two are side-by-side). At the end of May a vote will be put to participants and one loop will be chosen for the remainder of the season. The first week will use the 12.6 km loop starting on Elgin Mills east of Warden.

The Thursday Time Trials are a great way to get into the competitive spirit, track your progress through the summer and put in a strong ride through the week. We hope to see you there.


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