April 22/22 21:22 pm - Paris to Ancaster Returns This Sunday

Posted by Editoress on 04/22/22
 

After a two year hiatus during the pandemic, one of the traditional Ontario season-openers returns this Sunday - the Paris to Ancaster for it's 29th edition. An estimated 2900 riders will take part across a variety of distances, all ending in Ancaster at the Community Centre.

There have been many changes to the courses for 2022, including a new 100 kilometre distance. The traditional 70, 45 and 20 kilometres distances will also be run. The new 100k route is the only one actually starting in Paris - at the Fairgrounds in the north end of town. Riders will go west, then north before finally heading east, as much as possible on gravel roads and trails. The first time the course approaches the older route is in Harrisburg, east of St George. The top riders are expected to take around three hours.

The 70k version will no longer begin on the east side of Paris and head along the rail trail; instead it will start just south of Cambridge, heading down to Harrisburg. The 45k edition has its traditional start in Harrisburg, while the 20k family fun ride begins and finishes in Ancaster.

The majority of Elite riders will enter the 100k ride; the one exception is 4-time winner Sue Cubello (nee Palmer), who will ride the 70k with her husband.

The big names signed up for the 100k include - on the women's side - cyclo-cross/mountain bike pro Maghalie Rochette, in her first P2A. Rochette is heading to the airport in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as we write this, fresh from having won the pro short track there at the US Cup. Other women to watch include Sidney McGill, Siobhan Kelly, Olympic rower Caileigh Filmer and local star cyclo-cross Ruby West. However, West is a question mark, since she is still recovering from a bout with COVID [Note: Just as this was being written, Ruby announced that she would not be participating].

On the men's side, U.S. pros will face off against Canadians. The Canadian contingent includes Michael van den Ham, Adam Roberge, Brody Sanderson and Luke Valenti. The Americans include Ted King, Jeremy Powers and Adam Myerson.