April 24/08 5:04 am - Team Reports: Calyon, Team H&R Block, The Hub/Devinci CX, Bluberi ˆ Martin Swiss ˆ Specialized

Posted by Editoress on 04/24/08
 

Calyon Pro Cycling Team

The team started its season with some major races such as the Tour of Belize, Paris-Troyes and la Roue Tourangelle. Four cyclists from the Calyon Pro Cycling team - Matt Guse, Mike Norton, Mathieu Roy, Maxime Vives - are about to compete in the "USA Crits series speedweek", starting on April, 26th until May,3rd.

As for the other athletes on the team, Mathew Bell and David Bergeron will be racing in Quebec.

One ocean away, Charly Vives is racing with the U23 National team. He has already been part of races in Spain and France. His journey will end with three races in Ardeche this week-end.
You will find all the results on our website www.calyoncanadacycling.com

We would like to thank our sponsors for their support:
Calyon, NewEdge, Credit Agricole Asset Management, Busac, BBSP, Cervelo, Topolino, Selle Italia, Cycles Lambert, Martin Swiss Cycle, Lake, McCarthy Tetrault, Le Pen Castel, ER Gestion Renovation, Salient Maritime, Beauvel MicroConsult Inc., Moishes, Verge, Rudy Project, Peak Centre Montréal, Mazda Canada.


Team H&R Block kicks off Season at Tour of Walla Walla

Calgary-based Team H&R Block, just days after securing Trade Team status from the Canadian Cycling Association, traveled last weekend to the Tour of Walla Walla, in south-east Washington state, to kick off the 2008 road racing season. This stage race is a premier event on the northwest calendar, attracting a number of top teams from the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.

The racing started late afternoon Friday with the Kellogg Hollow Road Race, held on rolling open terrain near the town of Waitsburg, north of Walla Walla.

Weather played a major role in the race with a constant stiff wind from the south ultimately splitting the peloton of 120 riders into three-plus groups. H&R riders Chris DeVries and Cyrus Kangarloo made the crucial split of the race, finishing in the first chase group behind stage winner Rob Britton (Trek/Red Truck), while H&R's Dallas Morris took the first sprint prime.

Saturday's racing included a tough double-stage day: An 11 kilometre Individual Time Trial in the morning, followed by a 155 kilometre road race in the afternoon. Top H&R rider in the ITT was Chris McNeil, in 24th position. The Waitsburg Road Race again featured wind in addition to a 3 kilometre climb which the racers encountered three times. A few flakes of snow also greeted the peloton. It was a race of attacks off the front and attrition at the back, with Dallas finishing a fine 5th place, and Chris DeVries coming home in 16th. Rest, not to mention copious amounts of food, was warmly welcomed after three stages and nearly 300 km of racing in little more than 24 hours.

The final classification of the race was pretty much set after the second road race. Little changed during Sunday's downtown Walla Walla Criterium; top H&R rider on the stage was Jeff Bolstad in 15th place. All H&R riders finished in the top-half of the field on general classification, with the exception of Aaron Schooler, who locked handlebars and went down in a crash during Sunday's Criterium. Fortunately, Aaron suffered only some scrapes and won't miss any riding. The team also accomplished a pre-race goal, finishing top-five in the team classification, while Dallas placed second on sprint bonuses. Top H&R riders on general classification were Dallas Morris (22nd) and Chris DeVries (23rd).

Final notes:

• Canadian domination was the norm at Tour of Walla Walla, with riders from Trek/Red Truck and Kona/Adobe winning both stages and the overall
• Congrats to former H&R rider Devon Smibert, back with the Synergy team, on his fine 6th place overall
• Next up for Team H&R Block - GP bici/bici ITT in and around Calgary this weekend

Thanks to all our sponsors for helping support the team and the sport of cycling but most importantly helping our young athletes achieve there full potential by realizing there dreams can come true.
www.teamhrblock.ca


The Hub/Devinci CX Team podiums at the 2008 Paris to Ancaster

What is the Paris to Ancaster you ask? Well, it is a bicycle race of a mere 60 km, but this is not your usual 60km race. This is a race where both bikes and riders are "broken" in an attempt to conquer a course made up of trail and gravel roads; and did we mention that there were 1139 racers this year.

During the ride, racers are able to enjoy scenery that may include rolling grasses knolls and blue skies, but also, people repairing bikes, being sick to their stomachs and walking in pain as they experience the worst cramps known to mankind. With the combination of gravel, soft grass and two "mudslides" that are littered with loose boulders and roots, more often the not riders/racers are forced to walk the final 750m climb/wall that ascends to the finish line.

However much pain may have been anticipated, the Hub/Devinci Cyclocross Team, comprised of Erik Box, Peter Mogg and Clifford Vanclief, looked forward to every pedal stroke that would be made over the 60kms; and for good reason. Once the horn was sounded and the front wave of 250 left the starting gate both, both Erik and Peter quickly moved to the front to set the pace for the first 2-5kms.

From there they would help structure the initial break of 20 guys. However, after putting in nearly 6000kms on the bike this winter, Erik was anxious to test out his fitness and while attacking the group rapid idly, he managed to form the race winning break. With approximately 35 km to go, Erik, two other Canadians and a racer from the U.S, worked together and drilled the pace all the way to the finish.

As important as Erik's role was in the lead, Peter showed true professionalism when he sat in the chase group and made sure no one would attempt to catch Erik. The outcome would see Erik Box stand on the podium in 1st Place for the 20-29 age group and 4th overall, while Peter finished only a few minutes back in 6th overall. Unfortunately for the third member of the team, Clifford would have to settle for 250th, as he slipped from the top 75 after suffering a flat tire.

As usual, the Team would like to thank Cycles Devinci for supplying them with the equipment that helped put them atop the podium at the 2008 Paris to Ancaster.


Bluberi - Martin Swiss - Specialized Cycling Team 2008

The Bluberi - Martin Swiss - Specialized Cycling Team is back for a second year. In year one we learned a lot and over the off season the team honed the structure for season 2.

All sponsors are back in 2008: the major sponsor, Bluberi, did not hesitate to support the Team for the second season and will provide financial and material support. Martin Swiss is still the official bike shop of the Team and will offer mechanical support and equipment. Specialized Canada continues its involvement with cycling gear such as the Tarmac Pro bikes and the Roval Fusée Star wheels. Edge will provide their high-quality energy drink and other energy products.

The team's season started just over a month ago with a spring training camp in North Carolina. The team members were able to put mileage on their legs under the supervision of the directeur sportif and coach, Marc Lapointe. The weather was great and allowed us to ride every day.

The Team has restructured its line-up and has recruited Stephen Keeping from Nova Scotia. Francis Morin whose main discipline is mountain bike has also joined the Team to perfect his preparation and help his teammates. Hugues Lapointe and Benoît Simard are back for their second season.

The Team will start its 2008 racing calendar this weekend at the G.P. de Ste-Martine.

Riders:
Stephen Keeping
Hugues Lapointe
Francis Morin
Benoît Simard

Directeur sportif and coach:
Marc Lapointe

Assistants:
Mélanie Daunais
Chantal Morin