November 21/02 11:42 am - CC Awards Update, Rocky Mountain News

Posted by Editor on 11/21/02
 

Canadian Cyclist of the Year Awards

Don't forget to vote for in Canadian Cyclist of the Year Awards. There are three categories to choose from - Male Cyclist of the Year, Female Cyclist of the Year, and Best Individual Performance. Click on the Vote! button in the upper right corner of your browser window and fill in a ballot. Important Note: Voting will end December 1st, NOT December 15th.

So far, Roland Green leads the Male Athlete voting, with Ryder Hesjedal and Charles Dionne neck and neck for second. Clara Hughes has a considerable lead in the Female Athlete category, while Charles Dionne leads the Individual Performance voting.


News From Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain Bicycles has announced Freerider signings for 2003, and Lesley Tomlinson expands her role with the company.

World's Best Freeriders Re-Sign with Rocky Mountain Bicycles

Canadian bicycle manufacturer Rocky Mountain Bicycles has re-signed 3 of the sport's best - Wade Simmons, Richie Schley and Thomas Vanderham signed for 2003 through 2005.

Wade Simmons, winner of the inaugural Red Bull Rampage in 2001, will stay with Rocky Mountain for another 3 year term, extending his relationship with the company to 11 years. One of the originals of Freeride, Wade has represented Rocky Bikes since 1995. Wade prides himself as much on his love of riding any bike, anywhere, as do others acclaim him for his effortless jumps of 45 foot road gaps and 30 foot cliff drops. In addition to a commonly shared background with many of his peers in Downhill and BMX, many of his fans are not aware that this versatile rider lined up for many years to compete in Cross Country racing, and is very much an advocate of Epic riding. For 2003, Rocky Mountain offers a Wade Simmons Signature special RM7 model in its line up of bikes.

Thomas Vanderham is the hot new young rider everyone is talking about. At 18 years old Thomas is one of the few riders to make jaws drop on even his team mates and mentors. Thomas has come a long way from trying to avoid the bike his parents gave him to ride at 10 years old, when he used to say,"I have no interest in biking, why would I want a bike?" Thomas also doubles as a Downhiller. He raced for Canada as a junior in 2002 at the World Championships in Kaprun, Austria. In 2003, he will race select US Norba National races.

Richie Schley has been a staple of the mountain bike media for the past six years. Also a successful Big Mountain Free Skier, Richie is probably the most published Freerider in the World. As an experienced veteran of the mountain bike discipline, his 7th place finish at this years "Over the Top" 2002 Utah Red Bull Rampage in October establishes him in the ranks of the most current talent pool. Richie also continues to share his riding skill with many neophyte Freeriders at his Whistler Mountain Richie Schley Freeride Camps each summer.

"We are thrilled that Wade, Thomas and Richie have chosen to ride our bikes," declared Denis Jutras, General Manager of Rocky Mountain Bicycles, "Most importantly, they will provide continued insight to what will keep our bikes the best in the business: World Class bikes developed by World Class athletes."


Rocky Mountain Continues to Develop Partnerships with Athletes

Rocky Mountain Bicycles announces that 2-time Canadian Olympian and professional mountain bike racer Lesley Tomlinson will add to her responsibilities for the upcoming year.

In addition to defending her titles as the 2002 Trans Alp Challenge Champion and World 24 Hr Solo Champion, Tomlinson will represent Rocky Mountain as the Director of Sponsorship, Events and Media Communications. She will also contest Marathon events and select North American Races during the season. This position will take responsibility for team and sponsor recruitment as well as communication relating to both the Race and Freeride Teams.

Lesley has ridden for the Canadian National Cycling Team at 11 World Championships, the Olympic Games in both Atlanta and Sydney, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Victoria,BC. Her successes include 23 top-10 World Cup results, 4 World Cup and 14 Norba National Podiums, and Commonwealth Games and Pan Am Championships Silver Medals.

Prior to becoming a professional mountain bike racer, Lesley earned a Business Degree from Simon Fraser University in Canada and worked 13 years in Marketing; first as Marketing Manager for beverage company Koala Springs International, and later as Director of Marketing for the Earls Restaurant Chain in western Canada.

Comments Tomlinson," I feel I have a great deal to offer to the company from multiple perspectives. I understand the needs and capabilities of the athlete and how much synergy there can potentially be between teams and their sponsors. There are many instances where there is a lack of understanding (of) respective needs. This can be improved upon."

Tomlinson began her Mountain Bike Career with Rocky Mountain Bicycles as a dual discipline road racer and mountain bike racer in 1993 - 1994, and returned to the pro race team for the past two seasons.