July 12/19 12:08 pm - Cycling Canada Announces National Squad for Tour de l'Abitibi

Posted by Editoress on 07/12/19
 

Cycling Canada has announced the team of six riders who will race for Canada at the 2019 Tour de l'Abitibi Junior men's stage race on July 15-21.  The UCI sanctioned Tour de l'Abitibi is the oldest and most prestigious Junior men's race in North America, and is celebrating its 51st anniversary this year.

A pool of riders was selected based on early season results and the recent National Road Championships.  The final selection contains riders from British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, including National Road champion Raphael Parisella of Boucherville, QC, and National Time Trial champion Jacob Rubuliak of Kelowna, BC.

Jacob Rubuliak

Raphael Parisella

Riley Pickrell

Tristian Jussaume

Two riders are returning from last year, including Riley Pickrell of Victoria, BC, who won three of six stages at last year's race.  Tristian Jussaume, of Contrecoeur, QC, will also return, after finishing second in the time trial at the national championships.  The final two team members are first time attendees Jackson Kinniburgh of Calgary, AB, and Felix-Olivier Moreau of Saint-Ferreol-des Neiges, QC.

Following Abitibi, three riders from the team will represent Canada at the Junior Track World Championships in Frankfurt, Germany - Jussaume, Kinniburgh and Pickrell.

"Abitibi is one of the highlights of our domestic calendar,"said Kevin Field, Team Manager.  "It is the only Nation Cup race we have for Junior or U23s in North America and, is such, is an important stepping stone for our athletes.  Our team goal, as always, is to score Nation Cup points to assist in maximizing our World Championship quotas."

"We're always fortunate to bring a strong national team to the race, and this year we built a team to balance our opportunities with stage wins and the overall General Classification.  Tristan and Jacob really distinguished themselves at Nationals in the Time Trial.  Raph and Riley have a super strong kick and we have great stage options with them.  Riley won three stages last year after all!  We're rounding out the team with Jackson and Felix-Olivier, two 'rouleurs' who have just shown super consistency and grit in their racing."


Team Canada - Tour de l'Abitibi, July 15-21

Tristian Jussaume - Contrecoeur, QC
Jackson Kinniburgh - Calgary, AB
Felix-Olivier Moreau - Saint-Ferreol-des Neiges, QC
Raphael Parisella - Boucherville, QC
Riley Pickrell - Victoria, BC
Jacob Rubuliak - Kelowna, BC

Team Manager - Kevin Field