September 16/06 9:14 am - Handisport World Championships

Posted by Editoress on 09/16/06
 

Mark Breton Fifth in Time-Trial and Éric Bourgault Seventh
Courtesy Sportcom

Translated by Amanda Leigh Cox

Mark Breton (LC1) and Éric Bourgault (LC2) made Canada proud with two stellar performances in the 24.4K Time Trial today (September 15th) at the Handisport World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland. The two Quebec riders representing Team Canada came in at fifth and seventh places respectively.

Breton is no stranger to top level performances, having finished finished fifth at the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004 well as at the European Championships in the Netherlands in 2005. 'This result is a great way to close the season and next year I am planning on top four results.' explained the cyclist from Charlesbourg. 'It was a good course; I had pre-ridden the course several times before my race so I was already familiar with its particularities. It was fairly technical with several sharp turns.' Breton concluded.

Physically, Breton felt the fatigue typical of a Time Trail during the race, 'I knew it was going to be difficult, andI had to push myself at times, but then again, a Time Trial is never easy and you have to be ready to give it your maximum.' Breton, who specialized in Time Trials, came in at a time of 35:12.45.

A Seventh Place for Bourgault
Never having cracked above a ninth place finish previously, Éric Bourgault, of the Canton d'Orford, was thrilled at his seventh place result today in the Time Trial in the LC2 category.

'There was a strong head wind on the race course; which was pretty technical in my estimation. The last turn was particularly difficult, but overall I quite enjoyed it' enthused Bourgault, who came in at 37:37.41.

The gold was won by Czech rider Jiri Jezek; second place went to Romanian Carol Eduard, while Germany's Christian Wilberger came in for third.