November 13/02 11:22 am - GP de Beauce Announcement, Navigators 2003, Race Around Australia, Birthdays

Posted by Editoress on 11/13/02
 

Waddell New President of Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce
Courtesy Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce

Yvan Waddell has been appointed to the position of president of the organizing committee after Guy Laperrière's decision to step down. Waddell has held the position of vice-president for the past 6 years. Mr. Laperrière will remain active within the organizing committee and board of directors

Yvan Waddell, well-known in the world of cycling, was member of the Canadian road team from 1980 to 1992 in addition to being an Olympic team member in 1988 and 1992 when he finished 13th and 29th respectively. Yvan was a Canadian champion as well as winner of the GP de Beauce in 1987.

The 18th edition of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce will be held 17 to 22 June 2003.


2003 Team Navigators
Courtesy Navigators Cycling Team

The Navigators Cycling Team announced today the signing of Henk Vogels (AUS) and Justin Spinelli (USA) to the team for the 2003 road cycling season. Henk brings 8 years of proven, international experience and results to the Navigators' men-in-blue. The addition of Mr. Vogels to this highly successful team will serve to increase the depth of the team's capabilities in races throughout the world. "Although I am disappointed that we will miss a few of our solid performers from last year, I am very excited about the 2003 roster, and the new additions. Henk brings an enormous amount of experience, and adds tremendous depth to the squad, especially as we pursue international exposure, and I think Justin is one of the most experienced young riders in America. Both guys have a great attitude, and superb team capabilities and should really work well in our team dynamic", states Team Director Ed Beamon.

Following their most successful season to date, the Navigators squad is poised to continue generating top competitive results and team exposure during the 2003 season, and beyond. Contributing to the team's success will be ten returning members from the 2002 squad; Chris Baldwin, Siro Camponogara, Vassili Davidenko, Oleg Grichkine, Ryan Guay, Glen Mitchell, Marty Nothstein, Ciaran Power, Burke Swindlehurst and Mark Walters.

Building on 9 years of success in the domestic as well as the international professional peloton, the team will be celebrating its 10th season as a UCI TT2 in 2003. The team's goals for 2003 include all of the major North American events and the Pro Cycling Tour (US), as well as an increased presence in the European peloton. Although the team's European schedule is not yet finalized according to Beamon, but, he expects to increase the number of racing events as well as their prestige, over their highly successful racing campaign in 2002. "We are fortunate in that our competitive expansion into Europe parallels the goals of our sponsors", noted Business Manager Ray Cipollini. "Our strong presence in both markets allows us to maximize the value we bring to our partners", he added.


Canadian to Attempt Race Around Australia

Canadian Ultra-cyclist Perry Stone will undertake the grueling 14,187 km Race Around Australia, unsupported. This year alone, two people have attempted this feat and were unable to finish. Perry feels he can succeed where they have failed. He will be pulling a trailer and has sent ahead copious supplies to numerous destinations along the route and will restock as he goes.

Starting today in Rockhampton, QLD, and Perry heads north to the tropics outside of Townsville. From there, Perry will go west into the Outback through the towns of the Northern Territory. Warm winds will guide him from Threeways, to Darwin and then back to Katherine. Following the Stuart Highway, famous for the "road trains," it is always a treat, interacting with motorists with the anticipation of his arrival in the beautiful Kimberly, Australia's most scenic inland region.

The next 1000 km can be brutal, testing both the rider's mental and physical fitness, dealing with hot temperatures and possible flooding and cyclones. Energy must be saved, however, for as the race turns south towards Sandfire, intense headwinds can be an unimaginable enemy on this nearly 2000 km leg into Geraldton.

Traveling towards Perth, the first major city so far, Perry will ride south to Albany and then north to Esperance where the route turns east, across the Nullarbor to Melbourne. Nullarbor can be a devastating leg, with winds that can either severely hinder a rider, or shave days off his overall time. Here, also, colder temperatures, possible heavy rains, and the backlash of prolonged isolation will test Perry's fortitude. From this extreme to the next, Victoria has constant traffic, which can be very dangerous, as his physical and mental stores have been greatly taxed by this time, which increases the risk for accidents or other mishaps.

The last leg northward usually brings wet and windy conditions through New South Wales. Here, as well, traffic can be both a problem and a blessing. The race travels through Bateman's Bay, Wallongong and Sydney, a ride were the terrain ranges from hills to mountains. Once north of Sydney, the focus will be reaching Brisbane for a mad dash, then, to the finish line of Rockhampton approximately 14,200 km later.

Perry is doing this race in dedication of the victims and families of the Bali, Indonesia terrorist bombing.


Happy Birthday to....... Linda Jackson and Paul Kelly, both celebrating today.