February 3/06 1:05 am - Canadians Win at Tour d'Afrique, New Kelowna Team

Posted by Editor on 02/3/06
 

Canadians Win at Tour d'Afrique

Canadians won both the men's and women's categories in stage 16, as Sam Bail of Toronto continued to ride strong sharing the men's title for the third straight day. Geraldine Paques (Vancouver) got her first stage win on a day that was highlighted by the raging dust storm that racers were forced to ride through.


Kelowna's First Elite Cycling Team
Courtesy Ryan Smith

In 2006 the Okanagan Valley will be able to follow road cycling in a new way. A group of local athletes with the support of local businesses have formed the Total Restoration Cycling Team. Set to become the Okanagan's first true elite cycling team built from Okanagan based cycling talents this team will compete on the local, provincial and national cycling scene.

The team will consist of Okanagan athletes who will compete in the BC Cup race series (professionals and semi-professionals). The BC Cup series is quickly becoming the premier race series in the country with Canada's national team athletes and top teams vying for its top spots. Over the past two years, individually, Okanagan athletes have garnered impressive results (podium finishes) without the full support of a team behind them. The Total Restoration Cycling Team we will compete in the top echelons of cycling in the province. Through teamwork, extensive planning, and a solid support network the team is seeking to achieve a variety of performance and community development goals.

Team Members for the 2006 season are:

Trevor Haaheim - Kelowna
Tim Sherstabitoff - Kelowna
Gary Wade - Kelowna
Cory Forrest - Kelowna
Ryan Smith - Kelowna
Sean Williams - Vernon
Dan Skinner - Salmon Arm

The Total Restoration Cycling Team wants to raise the profile of cycling and the team's sponsors through community involvement by organizing weekly junior development rides and by participating in learn to ride clinics. While some athletes aspire to become provincial champions, others plan to qualify for the Canadian National Team. The team will provide the opportunity for athletes to receive the coaching and support required to attain high performance levels.

For the 2006 racing season the Total Restoration Cycling Team will be supported by the following corporate sponsors: Kelowna Cycle (www.kelownacycle.ca), Kelowna Toyota, Okaped, Omega Communications, Kelowna Physiotherapy, Image One MRI, Ecotrend Canada, Sierrasil (Nature's Ultimate Mineral), Addidas, Bell Helmets, Opus Bicycles, Outdoor Gear Canada (OGC). The team members would like to thank all the sponsors for there initial support of the team and are excited about promoting these sponsors during the upcoming cycling season. The team's title sponsor: Total Restoration Services is the Okanagan's leading sole-focus disaster restoration company. Meeting the demands of property managers, insurance adjusters, risk managers, business owners, home owners and individuals we supply the most complete and expert disaster restoration available by using the latest technologies and state-of-the-art restoration techniques (www.totalrestore.ca).

The team's website is currently under construction and will be found at www.okelitecycling.com.