April 6/10 10:01 am - British National Champion to Race Tour of Bronte

Posted by Editoress on 04/6/10
 

The first annual Tour of Bronte Bicycle race is ready to roll on Sunday, April 11th. Taking place in Bronte Creek Provincial Park, north of Burlington, Ontario, the day will feature races for all ages and ability levels, from Novice to Olympian, on a unique circuit comprising both paved and unpaved roads.

Five time British National Champion Helen Wyman will be the pre race favorite in the 80 kilometre womens’ division, but may be hampered by jet lag after a trans-Atlantic flight just two days prior to the race. Wyman, a road racing and cyclocross specialist, will find the mix of unpaved and paved roads suit her background as a former world number three ranked rider.

Her trip to Canada is a career first, and is primarily focused on the following weekend's Paris to Ancaster Classic. Including the inaugural Tour of Bronte in her trip will work the travel out of her legs and offer the chance at a share of the over $5000 prize list on offer. Semi retired Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist Sue Palmer Komar of Hamilton will be a rider to watch if Wyman falters.

Race favorites in the 100 kilometre men’s elite division include Nathan Chown (Queen City Cycling) from St Catharines, a former Paris to Ancaster and Hell of the North winner. His rough road and cyclocross victories include many of the top Ontario and western New York races. Jet Fuel Racing, a perennial powerhouse team in Canadian racing is fielding two potential winners in Kevin Hazzard and Joe Guliano, but with $3000 in cash awards, the balance of the field will be anxious to prove the error of these predictions.

The Tour of Bronte features five separate races based on age and ability categories developed by the Ontario Cycling Association. New riders are welcome to participate as well. A “mountain bike road race” nicknamed the 'Dirt Dash' will be contested on the unpaved section of the road race course. Entry details, course map, schedule prize list and technical guide are now posted at www.tourofbronte.com.