December 1/01 6:22 am - Calendar Update, Custom Clothing Program, Awards, Saturn 2002, Restaurant

Posted by Editor on 12/1/01
 

National Calendar Update

Well, it is obvious that the cycling community endorses the idea of East and West Canada Cup series, so hopefully the Canadian Cycling Association will take note as it plans for 2003 (we have been told it will not happen for 2002).

The Road Nationals date has become a major problem for the CCA, and has delayed the release of the calendar. The problem is that after Hamilton was removed as the site (intended as a warm-up for the 2003 Worlds), there was a bit of a scramble to find a replacement. Edmonton agreed to step in, but want the June 29-July 1 weekend because they can secure government funding if it is that weekend (as part of Canada Day celebrations). Unfortunately, that directly conflicts with the Mont Ste Anne World Cup, meaning that some riders will have to miss one event or the other. We suggested holding the Road Nationals directly after the Grouse World Cup, from July 10-14. A third option is to hold them in August, after the Commonwealth Games (meaning that Road Nationals would be used to select Worlds team, but not Commonwealth Games team).

Lots of people have debated the issue in the Forums, but let's put it to a vote (although, there is no guarantee that the CCA will make use of the results). Click on the Vote! button at the top of the page to register your opinion.


Team Uniforms Program

We are pleased to announce that Canadian Cyclist will be working with Gita to bring their team uniform program to Canada. Canadian clubs and teams will now have the opportunity to order the same high quality Giordana clothing as used by the U.S. Postal squad, ONCE and other top pro teams, in their own designs. This clothing is identical in quality to the stuff used by the pros.

Within the next few days, a custom quote form will be launched, and teams/clubs will be able to put together an order online. After submitting the order, a free quote will be provided, and the team/club can place the order for delivery within 90 days after payment of a deposit and supplying design artwork (Gita will also provide design work, if required).


Velonews Gives More Canadian Honours

Velonews has announced more awards for 2001 (we plan to award VN the "Most Awards by a Cycling Magazine" Award...), and Canadians continue to do well.

Ride of the Year - Genevieve Jeanson at Redlands. (Editor's Note: We would have picked her World Cup win in Montreal)

Mountain Bike Man of the Year - Roland Green (no question here)

Cyclo-cross Woman of the Year - Lyne Bessette (just wish we could have seen her at the Nationals...)

Best Rookie: Road - Roland Green (we contacted VN and pointed out that Roland is not exactly a rookie, but hey, it's their award...)

Best Rookie: Cyclo-cross - Lyne Bessette (will she go the Worlds?)

All joking aside, we are pleased to see that Canadians continue to receive the recognition they deserve for the incredible year they have had.


Two Canadians on Saturn Women's Squad

Kim Davidge has been re-signed to the Saturn women's team, the number one ranked women's team in the world, which is led by fellow Canadian Lyne Bessette and Australian Anna Millward. The full text of the Saturn 2002 team press release is below:

The Saturn Cycling Women's Team announced their roster for the 2002 season today. After a triumphant 2001 season that saw the team finish as the number one ranked team in the World, the Saturn Team is prepared to defend its crown in the 2002 campaign with two new signings and some new additions to the race calendar.

Former World Champion Judith Arndt joins the team after an impressive 2001 showing, winning the Rotterdam Tour and finishing second in the HP LaserJet Women's Challenge and the Tour de L'Aude, as well as third in the Tour de France. Arndt proved to be a tough competitor to beat for the entire international women's peloton, and finished her 2001 season in the number two -- spot on the UCI rankings, behind Anna Millward. She will be a tremendous asset to the Saturn Team, allowing Lyne Bessette and Millward to change their focus slightly away from the big Tours and onto the Commonwealth Games in July.

Also new to the 2002 Saturn squad is American Jessica Phillips, 23, of Colorado. 2001 was Phillip's first year competing on the professional circuit, where she proved she is one of the new Americans to watch with a win at the Wendy's Stage Race and strong showings at the Tour de Å’Toona, the Tour of Willamette and the Redlands Bicycle Classic stage race. Phillips will compete in a mix of domestic and international races to prepare her for her goal of someday soon representing the United States at the World Championships and Olympic Games.

Returning to the Saturn squad is 2001 World Cup Series winner Anna Millward. Millward's impressive season culminated with an excellent win at the GP de Nations, as well as a total of two World Cup wins and the US Pro Series title. In recognition of her impressive year, Velo News awarded her the "Female Road Racer of the Year" award. Millward ended the season as the number one ranked rider in the world and plans to focus on the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

America's Kim Bruckner will also be back, proudly wearing the Stars and Stripes jersey she won as the national road and time trial champion. Bruckner stunned the cycling world when as a virtual unknown she became the first American to win the prestigious Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Snowy in addition to her national titles. Bruckner will continue to work on her strengths as a climber and time trialists, while focusing on the international tours.

Petra Rossner will continue to donate her wealth of experience to her Saturn teammates. Winning the First Union Liberty Classic for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time, Rossner continues to earn her title as the fastest woman in the world. However, in 2001 Rossner moved into a new realm, winning the Tour of Holland and three National Championships, by racing strongly in the mountains as well as on the flats, showing even prior winning formulas can change. Rossner's focus will remain on the big one - day races in 2002.

Lyne Bessette returns to Saturn for her fourth year with the team. After an early season set back due to a broken collar bone, Bessette returned to the road with stellar wins at the Tour de L'Aude, the HP LaserJet Women's Challenge, the Fitchburg - Longsjo Classic and both the Canadian National Time Trial and Road Championships. In response to her incredible season, Velo News named her its "North American Female Cyclist of the Year." For 2002, Bessette will move her focus to the Commonwealth Games, to defend her 1998 Gold Medal win in the Road Race.

Winning 13 races for Saturn in the 2001 season put Ina Teutenberg near the top of US Pro Tour rankings, where she finished second behind Saturn teammate Millward. Once again, Teutenberg will focus on the sprint finishes and riding as one of the best support riders in the peloton in the stage races.

On the domestic front, Teutenberg will be joined by American Suzanne Sonye, who enjoyed her best season ever, winning the bronze medal in the U.S. National Road Race Championships and various tour stages throughout the season. Canadian Kimberly Davidge, winner of stages at Wendy's and the Tour de Å’Toona will also return to the Saturn squad for the 2002 season. Anke Erlank returns, after earning impressive stage placings at the Tour de Å’Toona, Fitchburg, and the GP Feminine du Quebec. Rounding out the roster is Australian Kristy Scrymgeour who met with success in 2001 at the Chris Thater Memorial and the Bound Brook Criterium, among others.

In reflecting on the 2002 team, General Manager Tom Schuler comments, "In 2001, the Saturn Women's Team showed the world that through courageous individual efforts and tireless teamwork, anything is possible. For 2002, I am confident that this great group of athletes will continue to push the sport of women's cycling to unprecedented levels."

The Saturn Team will kick off the season with training camp in Solvang, California on January 18. The team will enter the battlefield on March 1 at the Canberra World Cup in Australia and the McLane Pacific Classic in California. The team will focus on the World Cup Series as well as tours including the Tour de L'Aude and the HP LaserJet Women's Challenge to defend their world number one Ranking.


Cyclist Opens New Restaurant

Marc Morrison, a long time contributor to CC, and a well-known member of the Victoria cycling community has partnered with chef Sean Brennan to open Brasserie "L'école". Sommelier Morrison says "It will be a cozy space, striking a balance between a place to relax with friends in an unstuffy environment and to also enjoy great food and impeccable, but not formal service."