Canadian Cyclist

 

April 30/03 9:04 am - Test of Metal Gets UCI Sanction, , Bike Mechanics Wanted


Posted by Editoress on 04/30/03
 

Squamish Mountain Bike Festival and Test of Metal Gets UCI Sanction
Ron Enns, Test of Metal & Squamish Mountain Bike Festival

Test of Metal a World Cup qualifier

Squamish, B.C. - Pro-elite mountain bike racers looking to take that next step to competing internationally can now use the Test of Metal to move up to World Cup competition. The 2003 Squamish Test of Metal, a 67-kilometre point-to-point cross-country race, to be held June 21, has been sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for bicycle racing, allowing top racers to earn points required to compete in World Cup races.

The Test's UCI E2 sanctioning means that the top 10 pro-elite men and women racers who hold international mountain bike race licences will obtain UCI points. A racer needs just one UCI point to race at a World Cup. The Grouse Mountain World Cup race takes place three weeks after the Test of M etal.

"The Test could provide the opportunity for a rider to place well enough to attend a World Cup race like Grouse," says Cliff Miller, Test of Metal race director. "To many pro-elites who have raced nationally in the U.S. and Canada, the Test could provide a significant opportunity to get that first UCI point to get into a World Cup. The opportunity for women is enormous, in that there has traditionally been a small number of female pro-elite racers at the Test."

The timing of the Test of Metal could not be better for pro-elite racers, with three W orld Cup races in North America taking place on consecutive weekends following the Test of Metal. The Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec World Cup is June 28-29, the Telluride, Colorado World Cup is July 5-6 and the Grouse Mountain, B.C. World Cup is July 12-13.

Another factor is the state of the U.S.-based NORBA National Championship Series. It has recently been reported by cycling publications that while it is likely that the NORBA races will take place as scheduled this summer, they are in jeopardy of losing, or having downgraded, their UCI status because they may not be able to guarantee UCI minimum prize list requirements, a result of the loss of some major race series sponsors. This could conceivably cause some pro-elite racers to skip the Mount Snow, Vermont NORBA race, scheduled for the same weekend as the Test of Metal, and race at the UCI-sanctioned Test of Metal.

While the Test of Metal has sold out its 800 available entries, organizers have in previous years and continue this year to have the policy of allowing any pro-elite racers, who have not yet registered for the Test, to race in this UCI-sanctioned event. Pro-elite racers who wish to enter can submit an entry form through the Test of M etal website at . Pro-elite racers should confirm with the issuer of their licence that they have an international licence and are eligible to obtain UCI points.


Volunteer Mechanics Needed
Courtesy BikeShare

We are kindly requesting support from bike mechanics who are interested in volunteering their skills for an upcoming workshop on Road Safety and Bicycle Repair for the Mexican agricultural workers. This event will take place Sunday, June 29, from 2 to 6 pm at the Virgil Arena, Virgil, Ontario (Niagara on the Lake/St. Catharines area).

We require three or four mechanics to repair some bicycles (Spanish language will certainly be an asset). Sgt. Ed Typer, of the Niagara Regional Police, has made arrangements for the place and bikes to be repaired. Enlace will provide transportation for the mechanics.

We would appreciate your response on or before May 15.

If you have any comments or questions, the contact persons are: Gisella Primavera, by e-mail:
gisellaprimavera@hotmail.com, or Julie Liut @ tel. 416-630-4220.

About Enlace:
ENLACE (Community Link) is a non-profit network of information and services who offer orientation, translation services, assistance in emergencies, instruction erc to Mexican temproray agricultural workers in Ontario.

There are about 600 migrant farm workers who use bikes as their primary form of transportation. They start arriving in Canada in February and leave by November. The workers are in need of instruction on bike maintenance.

All assistance would greatly be appreciated.

 

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