June 19/02 10:33 am - CCA Announces Commonwealth Games Team

Posted by Editor on 06/19/02
 

CCA Announces Commonwealth Games Team

The Canadian Cycling Association has announced the team that will be competing in Manchester next month:

Mountain Bike

Men
Roland Green
Geoff Kabush
Seamus McGrath

Women
Kiara Bisaro
Chrissy Redden
Marie-Helene Premont

Road

Men
Mark Walters - road race and time trial
Eric Wohlberg - road race and time trial
Michael Barry - road race and time trial
Gord Fraser - road race

(Note: Fraser and Barry are subject to approval from their trade teams)

Women
Genevieve Jeanson - road race and time trial
Lyne Bessette - road race and time trial
Clara Hughes - road race
Erin Carter - road race and time trial

Track

Men
Lars Madsen - Sprint, Olympic Sprint
Steen Madsen - Sprint, Olympic Sprint
Jim Fisher - Kilo
Tyler Hansen

Note: track riders may also compete in the Keirin, Points Race, Scratch, etc. Some decisions will be made in Manchester.

Women
Lori-Ann Muenzer - Sprint
Clara Hughes - Pursuit
Lyne Bessette - TBD
Erin Carter - TBD

Note: some track event selections will not be made until Manchester.

Analysis:
First, the missing name - Alison Sydor has decided not to compete in Manchester, so that she can concentrate on preparations for the World Championships. Marie-Helene Premont was the logical replacement, given her strong showing in Europe this spring.

Now, the choices. The obvious hard selection was Seamus McGrath vs. Ryder Hesjedal. There was no easy decision, since both are accomplished athletes. Both have had very good results this spring, and both have had "off" days. This may be a blessing in disguise for Ryder, since he can now focus his attention on that world title that has slipped through his fingers.

On the road, in both men and women, three of the four riders were either prequalified, or won the selection race. Michael Barry was the obvious choice for the fourth men's spot, assuming he doesn't get selected for the U.S. Postal Tour de France squad. In that case, the CCA has some backups, with Charles Dionne being the most logical next pick. It should be noted that the CCA had hoped to have Roland Green ride the time trial (and potentially the road race), however, as has been previously published, the ITT is too close to the mountain bike race, and Roland has a commitment to be back in the U.S. for a Norba National race on the weekend of the Commonwealth Games road race.

On the women's side, it was very difficult, because there is so much depth. Besides Carter, there is Sue Palmer-Komar, Nicole Demars, Mandy Poitras, Manon Jutras, Cybil DiGuistini. Carter was picked because she has international experience and results in both road and track. Plus, the course is not particularly hilly, so Palmer-Komar is not favoured.

The track selection was straightforward, given the CCA's focus on sprint events (particularly for the men). All the women track riders, with the exception of Muenzer, will do both road and track.