December 8/00 9:18 am - New Longo Record, Ontario Open House, BC Cup Wrap Up

Posted by Editor on 12/8/00
 

Longo Sets Another World Record

Jeannie Longo of France has broken the world hour record she set 1 month ago in Mexico City. Longo's new record is 45.094 kilometres, beating the distance she covered on November 5 of 44.767 kilometres. Longo also holds the all time record of 48.159 kilometres, set before the UCI introduced new, more restrictive bicycle regulations.


Bike Shop Open House - Ontario

Freewheel Cycle in Dundas, Ontario sends out an invitation to members of the cycling community to drop by on Sunday, December 10th between noon and 5:00 pm for their Christmas Open House. Hot cider, hot chocolate and other goodies will be served. Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank, and get a free gift. 9 King Street West, Dundas, Ontario.


2000 BC Cup Road Review
(courtesy Allan Prazsky, Cycle BC)

From the onset, the 2000 BC Cup Series promised to be a long and tough championship race, as BC's top riders chased Cup points in seven events throughout the province.

The Series kicked off in the early spring, with the Atomic Road Race. A tough course made tougher by the heinous conditions the racers were faced to compete in. New Trek-VW recruit Svein Tuft showed his skill and power by winning the opening event. Assuming what will be a familiar position, Sara Neil, ex-National and Olympic Team member, made the first of many appearances atop the winner's podium.

The Series then traveled to Vancouver Island, the site of the epic Gary Lund Classic Road Race, a grueling 140km race along Vancouver Island's scenic and very hilly West Coast. Local Island favorite Luca Segato made a calculated decision to sprint to victory, followed by a very close chase pack. It was Sara Neil with the spoils of victory yet again in the hotly contested women's category.

The Bastion Square Cycling Festival, where spectators line up by the thousands to watch top names duel for victory in the criterium, was the host of the third round of the Series, the Mt Tolmie Road Race. Again blessed by cool and wet weather, riders where treated to the return of the extended road course before entering the shorter hill repeat circuit. Local boy and Olympic hero Roland Green showed provincial racers just what type of talent it takes to go to the Olympics, as he schooled the competition in the men's category. Meanwhile in the women's race, Sara Neil did some educating herself, again showing her dominant form by effortlessly climbing Mt. Tolmie, then climbing to the top of the winner's podium.

The next stop in the BC Cup Series was the scenic Hatzic Valley, the site of the Warp Speed Road Race. With memories of last summer's sleet, wind and rain all too familiar, riders were treated to sunny skies and warm weather. After the dust had settled in this marathon event, the longest race on the BC Cup calendar, it was Three-Point Motors' Nick Rowe that took the spoils of victory. After attack and counter attacks, Gina Grain found her form and took her first BC Cup victory.

Perhaps Western Canada's largest and most famous road race, the Tour de White Rock was the next event on the BC Cup calendar. Typically drawing North America's top cyclists, the Tour de White Rock's relentless hills and blistering pace must be among the toughest road races in the province. Canadian Olympic Team member and bronze medalist Brian Walton dazzled everyone with the relative ease at which he was able to pour on the gas, almost at will, cruising to victory in front of his hometown fans. National team member Sandy Espeseth showed the rest of the women's category just how to climb, as she prepared for the Pan America Championships, and in doing so, winning the Tour de White Rock.

A brief rest period allowed the racers to travel into the interior of the province to contest the first annual Glacier View Grand Prix. A first year event, the Glacier View Grand Prix was a first class affair, complete with town festivals encompassing the weekend's racing. The Glacier View GP marked the return of Svein Tuft, as he flexed his muscle to the overall win. Climbing to the top the winner's podium yet again in the women's category was none other than Sara Neil, and in doing so, securing the 2000 BC Cup Championship.

The Series culminated in the Lower Mainland, with the Provincial Time Trial Championships. The hilly out and back circuit saw track racing authority, Murray Solem, take the overall victory. Meanwhile, in the women's category, TT specialist, Leah Goldstein, fresh from her stint in Montreal's Grand Prix Feminin, powered to victory, clinching her first BC Cup win.

2000 BC Cup Road Racing Series ˆ Final Standings

Men 1 / 2
1. Svein Tuft / Trek-VW
2. Luca Segato / Three Point Motors
3. Min Van Velzen / Trek-VW
4. Hugh Trenchard / Fairfeild CC
5. Tony Zarzadias / Trek-VW

Open Women
1. Sara Neil / Trek-VW
2. Marni Hambleton / Giant-Powerbar
3. Darnelle Moore / Intersport
4. Gina Grain / Because
5. Melanie McQuaid / Rocky Mountain

Cycling BC wishes to thank BC Cup Series sponsors Campione Bicycles and Roach Clothing for their support throughout the 2000 Season.