March 30/99 9:51 am - Toronto Paris-Roubaix, Canadians in Italy and California, Helmet Laws

Posted by Editor on 03/30/99
 

Toronto's 'Paris-Roubaix' Challenge Report
(courtesy Mike Barry)

For the third year running Toronto's Paris-Roubaix was won by Ray Duggan, (Saeco). The race is run over 66km of the worst roads and tracks that can be found between The Toronto Zoo and Sutton on Lake Simcoe.

A very fast start saw the field of 55 reduced to a fast moving bunch of about 25 before the first really rough section at 6km. At the exit of this 1.5km section the lead group was down to 12 riders and all the strong men were there.

Jeff Hansen made a lone attack from this group and for several kilometeres he maintained a half minute lead over the chasers. He was eventaully joined by Peter Mazur and Ray Duggan and shortly after by Mirek Mazur.

Just after Mirek made it across the leaders entered the second section of abominable track where both the Mazurs lost considerable time on Hansen and Duggan. The two leaders stayed together through the next section and as they started the fast run North through Musselman's Lake they had over a minute in hand over Peter Mazur. Mirek Mazur had faded and was to be caught by the chasers.

Peter Mazur fought back and caught and then dropped the two leaders and on reaching the final 'Hell of the North' section had about a 30 second lead. However Duggan and Hansen caught and passed him on this really hard stretch where their cyclo-cross experience showed to good effect, At the end of this 6 km section Duggan emerged alone and had a over a minute on Hansen at the finish. Peter Mazur finished third another 40 seconds down.

The fastest woman finisher was Lisa Hoskins who finished 22nd overall. This was Lisa's fourth ride in the event. She was the fastest women two years ago and last year lost first place by going off course. Second women was Mo Neskar and third Maogosha Pyjor.

This was the twelfth edition of the event and the cash prizes were augmented by sponsers McAuslans Brewery and Toronto's Innocenti Restuarant. McAuslans product was greatly appreciated at the post race prize presentation at the Mansion House pub in Sutton.

Results:

66km, Average speed : 30km/hr

1 Ray Duggan Saeco 2.12.43
2 Jeff Hansen Silent Sport 2.13.51
3 Peter Mazur Kissena 2.14.28
4 Malcolm Munro 2.19.02
5 Peter Morse Trek 2.22.01
6 Jorn Hansen Schwinn 2.26.30
7 Keith Hopkins Kiro 2.26.30
8 Kevin Abbott 2.28.50
9 Mirek Mazur 2.29.46
10 Sean Van Rooyen 2.29.59
11 Chris Hansen 2.31.35
12 Brian Turner 2.33.57
13 James Wadden Kiro 2.34.29
14 Kevin Lehman Kiro 2.36.06
15 Peter Soucek 2.36.38
16 !an Starke McAuslans 2.39.20
17 David Anthony 2.44.02
18 Lubo Hoferica 2.44.28
19 Chris Yeates 2.44.38
20 Jim Kooz 2.45.51
21 Rob Gordon 2.46.20
22 Lisa Hoskins Jamis 2.50.26
23 Jan Hoferica 2.50.36
24 Peter Breward 2.51.20
25 Adian Haak 2.55.47
26 Robert Ospina 2.56.42
27 Albert de Ciccio 3.00.15
28 Wayne Beatty Whitby Warriors 3.01.32
29 Maureen Neskar 3.02.18
30 Rob Olver 3.03.10
31 Art del Rio. 3.07.56
32 Gord Mickouski 3.10.10
33 Geoffrey Morgan 3.17.59
34 Frank Preston 3.21.00
35 David Bryne 3.21.00
36 Sean Kelly Jet Fuel 3.22.21
37 Brooks Rapley Kiro 3.34.19
38 Tyrone Kerr 3.41.00
39 Sean McSweeney 3.41.24
40 Glen Norcliffe 3.42.40
41 Maogosha Pyjor 3.43.00
42 Mike Hingert d'Ornellas 3.51.38
43 Amit Ghosh 3.51.20
44 Adam Mably 3.54.24
45 Ron Miller N/A


Romio Outsprints Dal Re for Giro di Romagna Win
(courtesy Paul Kelly)

March 28th, 1999 San Bernardino, Italy. 150 riders began this Elite/-23 event, but by the secong GPM, half would take the direct route to the finish, or climb into team vans at the feedzone. Coming over the 5th GPM, (above Imola) what remained of the peloton fractured, and 20 riders broke clear. The 45km flat run out to the finish saw attacks from the strongest of this bunch, with the 5 man move including former pro Alessandro Romio of GS Italfine - Podenzano and Eliseo Dal Re of SC REDA - Baggioni finally having the right mix of strength and teams to shut down the chase. 160km and bit shy of 4 hours on the bike boiled down to a final 5 man mad dash for the line -Romio using his potent final surge to cut the line a bike length before Dal Re.

I finished a respectable 22nd, after spending 40km in an ill fated break over the first few GPMs, and lending a hand to my REDA teammates in the time that followed (before the split).

Ciao till next week!

Paul Kelly.


Canadian Cyclists Prepare for Yet Another Helmet Battle
(By Ernst Poulsen, Bike News Agency)

In the previous two years cyclists in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Prince Edward Island have fought mandatory helmet laws. This year the battle has come to the western province Alberta. Again cyclists and surgeons have opposing viewpoints.

Earlier this month eight Canadian neurosurgeons launched a campaign for mandatory helmet laws in the Canadian province of Alberta. A revision of the local Highway Traffic Act is presently being discussed, and the doctors hope that helmet laws will be included.

"Head injury from recreational activities has far-reaching and often catastrophic effects," the group writes in a letter to the local premier Ralph Klein. The doctors hope that mandatory helmet laws will apply not only to cyclists but also to anyone on roller skates and skateboards.

According to the Calgary Herald, the premier has not made up his mind yet. He is still wondering how people will react to a law, and states that he would like to receive input from the public.

The first input has come from the Alberta Bicycle Association, who is strongly opposed to the law. Among other things - the group points out, that cycling will most likely drop sharply if a mandatory helmet law is passed.

To support their argument, they quote a survey of 1210 secondary school children questioned in Blacktown, Sydney (Australia): "...helmet restriction was the most common reason (33.8%) for not having ridden last week... A telephone survey of adults in Western Australia found a figure equivalent to 64% of current adult cyclists would ride more if not legally required to wear a helmet. "

The local press has given the helmet issues some exposure, but not all newspapers are pro-helmet laws. A leading article in the Calgary Herald opposes the government imposing it's "iron grip" on cyclists:

"Brain injuries from cycling are only one of the many safety "dangers" Albertans face. Do we pass laws to require skiers, hikers and snowboarders to wear helmets? What about the dangers to our own well-being of drinking too much or eating the wrong kinds of foods? Should we legislate against obesity or failing to exercise?", the leading article argues.

Two other Canadian provinces - New Brunswick and Saskatchewan are rumoured to be considering Mandatory Helmet Laws. The outcome of the discussion in Alberta may well influence the debate in the other Canadian provinces.


FURTHER INFORMATION:

VOICE YOUR OPINION:
The Honourable Walter Paszkowski
Minister of Transportation
e-mail: paszkowski@tu.gov.ab.ca

The Calgary Sun:
Letters to Editor: callet@sunpub.com

The Calgary Herald
Letters: letters@theherald.southam.ca

The Edmonton Sun
Letters to Editor: edmonton.sun@ccinet.ab.ca

The Edmonton Journal
Letters to Editor: letters@thejournal.southam.ca


NEWS:
Calgary Herald: "Surgeons Plead for Helmet Law
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/stories/990324/2407922.html


BACKGROUND:
Alberta Bicycle Association - Helmet Response
http://www.albertabicycle.ab.ca/helmetlaws.html

The Bicycle Helmet FAQ:
http://www.globalx.net/ocbc/hfaq.html

The Cyclists Rights Action Group
http://www.pcug.org.au/~psvansch/crag/

Velo Quebec Helmet Pages (in French)
http://www.velo.qc.ca/velo_quebec/casque/index.htm

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (pro-helmet laws)
http://www.bhsi.org/

The European Cyclists Federation / Helmet Position
http://www.dcf.dk/ecf/html/helmetgb.htm
(includes links to Spanish and Slovenian translations)

You will find more links at the BNA website:
http://www.bikenews.org/1999/05.htm

Ed. Note: What do you think about this issue? Post your views on the Forums


Jet Fuel Report from Wine Country
(courtesy Matt Hansen)

The Wine Country Classic on the weekend had mixed results for the Jet Fuel Coffee team. After last week's disappointing Sea Otter Classic (Andrew Randell flatting out of lead group, Matt Hansen and Heath Cockburn having a rough time after travel; and Joe Giuliano finishing in the second group after trying to bridge to the break), it was good for the team be seen racing at the front.

The course was very relentless, with a 2-KM steep switchback climb followed by a very difficult false flat section, and a fast, safe descent every 20-KM lap. The pack split several times, always regrouping in a smaller form at the bottom, until there was about 40 guys left with 3 laps to go. Cockburn, suffering from a nagging cough and having a hard time up the hill was caught behind too many splits and called it a day. Giuliano, Hansen and Randell were seen in many breaks and splits, with Randell and Giuliano especially animating the race with some strong attacks.

Eventually the race took its toll on everyone and Giuliano and Hansen found themselves missing the split and caught in a large group with several other strong riders from Mercury, Navigators and Saturn that just didn't have the leg power and the two Canadians packed it in.

Randell on the other hand was still up in the front and racing hard as the race got harder and harder and the lead group was rapidly dwindling in size. After several attacks by the strong Mercury team, Scott Moninger charged away up the hill and Randell settled for an excellent 13th place, still having enough to contest the sprint with the rest of the chase group.

A better day for the Jet Fuel Coffee team and hopeful that when everyone is healthier things will go better for the team. Once the team is up to full strength, the team will be able to use each other better when it comes to the selection at the end.

Graton Road Race

1. Scott Moninger - Mercury
2. Thurlow Rogers - Mercury
3. Eric Wohlberg - Shaklee

13. Andrew Randell - Jet Fuel Coffee
20. Michael Barry - Saturn