April 7/03 3:03 am - National Capital Region

Posted by Editoress on 04/7/03
 

National Capital Region - Espoir Cycling Bursary
Courtesy Ross D. Knight, Seenite Sports

Seenite Sports is proud to announce the following athletes as recipients of the 2003 espoir cycling bursary. The past achievements of these athletes, and generous contributions from bursary supporters, will help them to reach their future goals. We wish all three athletes a very successful season.

Joel Cote-Cright: $800.00
Charlie Gorman: $400.00
Alexey Ivanov: $400.00

Past recipients include:
2000 - Marc Andre Salois: $600.00
2001 - Colin Burn: : $1000.00
2002 - Alan Reain: : $1000.00
2002 - Lynne Wolfson: $500.00

Without contributions from the following organizations and individuals the bursary would not be possible. Thus the athletes would like to acknowledge the Ottawa Bicycle Club, Seenite Sports, Jamie Sunderland at Full Cycle, Sportables (now closed),Velocity Cycle Team. Avery Burdett, Peter Tregunno, George Toffolo, the 50/50 Tour De France draw organized by Kris Westwood and Mike Leach, and numerous other contributions passed on to the bursary fund at the mid week races. I apologize if I have forgotten anyone in the list.


Blizzard Bike ClubmFort St John, BC
Courtesy Pat Ferris

Sunday April 6th, a balmy -2

Dave Damery won a tough race after a close sprint with Vaughn Hildebrand, Sunday. Their time was 1:49:30 hours for the 60 km Beatton loop race. Stephen Ferris was third at 1:51:07.

A big crowd of twenty-two riders started the 60 km race along the Alaska Highway from Humpty's. The pack soon melted down to the lead seven riders when they encountered the short, steep hills on the Beatton Park road.

Stephen Ferris pulled away for a short lead after the railway tracks, at the 30 km mark. Robert Martens bridged up and the duo had a gap on the lead pack. Robert's flat tire ended that effort and soon Dave Damery and Vaughn Hildebrand caught Ferris, to stay together until the start of the final, long hill.

In the meanwhile, Robert Martens chased back, valiantly, but could not quite catch the lead three riders.

Damery edged out Vaughn Hildebrand at the finish, after they dropped Stephen Ferris on the 2 km Montney hill. Robert Martens was 4th at 1:53:24.

Trevor McDonell caught Pat Ferris on the Montney hill and came in for 5th at 1:54:58. Pat Ferris was 6th 1:56:26, Richard Howes 2:00:23, Roger St. Jean 2:02:12. Eric Snucins 2:02:25 and Gary Hilderman had 2:03:00 to round out the top ten riders.

Ed Fornelli had 2:08:16 for 11th, Rod Lewis 2:09:17, Andrew Kovacs 2:10:35, Mike Hientzman 2:11:57, Tammy Howes 2:12:40, Jean Guillemette 2:21:35, Matt Jarnagin and Wim Kok 2:24:00, Dean Lowry 2:49:49 and Art Ramsay 2:55:08 with mechanical trouble. Dennis Morrison had a tire blow out and could not continue.
Adam Currie won the 20 km distance with 46:29. Wendy Hildebrand had 50:09 for second and Angela Maull 50:10 for third. Lisa Verbisky did 1:10:00 for 40 km.

Coming up:
-Thursday Baldonnel time trial at 6:30 pm
-Saturday 100 km Randonneur
-Sunday King of Spring road race from Montney pullout at 2:00 pm


Down n' Dirty at the Dump aka "3-D at Hartland"
Courtesy B. Beck

The Vancouver Island Series race #1 (Down n' Dirty at the Dump) kicked-off with a huge bang on Sunday, April,6, 2003. Racers were greeted with warm spring weather. A welcome relief for organizers as recent weather had been cold and wet. Race organizers registered over 150 riders for this event. The spectator friendly course thrilled the enthusiastic crowd. Cow bells pealed encouragement to the racers on the lower course switchbacks which created a wonderful atmosphere. Our race mission statement is: We will work you hard. Feed you. And give you stuff.

Racers were treated to great après-race food and terrific raffle/draw prizes. XC professionals Ryder Hesjedal,  Max Plaxton and Seamus McGrath  were in attendance and finished in that order in the Expert category. These talented racers signed autographs and we greatly appreciate their support. XC has returned to Victoria and race results will soon follow.

Thanks. Long live XC!!