August 29/03 10:43 am - Sudbury Challenge, O-Cup on TV, Congratulations, Trophee d'Or

Posted by Editor on 08/29/03
 

Sudbury Cycling Challenge

The Sudbury Cycling Club (SCC) is proud to announce a two day cycling event to be held in Sudbury on Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st. Saturday's event is a 10 km Individual Time Trial (ITT) (Aero equipment permitted road bikes only), while Sunday's event will feature 35-50 km Criterium racing (road bikes only). Both events will be held at the Delki Dozzi Cycling Track. UCI wheel regulations will be enforced for both events. This event is sanctioned by the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA).

How much will it cost?

The cost is $5.00 per person per race. Prizes and cash will be awarded for category top finishers. The event is open to those 14 years and older (Cadets to Veteran D). Please note that all participants must be a SCC club member or a current member of a recognized CCA and/or OCA affiliated club. For non-members a reduced membership rate will be offered. Approved helmets are mandatory for all events.

Registration:

Registration for Saturday's time trials will be between 8:30 am and 9:00 am at Delki Dozzi Park & for Sunday, registration will be between 11:00 am and 11:30 am also at Delki Dozzi Park.

Times of Events:

The ITT will start at 9:30 am. The Criterium races on Sunday start at 12 noon.

In addition to these competitive races on Sunday, if there is adequate interest, a short children's race (with treats afterwards) and a Citizen's race (for first time racers limited bike restrictions) will also be held at the Delki Dozzi Cycling Track. These races will take place at 11:30 am and registration is free to these participants.

Come challenge yourself against some of the best riders in the North or simply race against the clock. Race categories and distances may be subject to change.

For more information call Frank at (705) 688-1120 ext 36.


Ontario Cup Mountain Bike TV Coverage
Courtesy OCA

The August 23rd Dagmar Short Track Event will be presented in a one hour show airing first on Monday, September 1st, (Labour Day) on ExpressVU Pay Per View in High Definition Only. Start Time will be at 8pm and will replay again at 9pm and will air ongoing after that thru the month of September.

It will be promoted on ExpressVu's Channel 700 starting August 29th. It will be marketed as a $3.99 PPV offering. Standard Definition debut will be made on SportsNet - tentatively set for Thursday, September 25th at 8pm and will have several plays as well. The SportsNet dates will be confirmed precisely in the next few days and will be announced on our website - stay tuned!

The OCA is also working on something with our Television Production team to get the Downhill Provincial Championships covered by ExpressVU and Sportsnet. No guarantees but at the very least, they will be sending up their High Definition TV truck to shoot the event . . . if you are competing in the DH at Horseshoe on Saturday September the 6th, make sure you are looking your best!


Congratulations

National Coach Jacques Landry and his wife Karine have a son:

Kyrian Thomas Landry

Born August 28th, at 10:06 pm.

Weight : 3,795 k. (8.36 lbs)
Length : 55 cm. (21.65 in.)


Trophée d'Or

Report from Rona-Esker

Saint-Amand-Montrond, France, August 28, 2003 - In the Trophée d'Or held in Central France, the Golden Fleece changed shoulders twice today, as young Volha Hayeva was awarded it at the end of the morning stage, but lost it by dinner time to Australian Olivia Gollan. After a time trial that finally created gaps among the leaders, Gollan's lead is still a mere seven seconds over Kupfernagel and 13 seconds over the very fast Russian Zoulfia Zabirova. After this time trial RONA/Esker's Magali Le Floc'h is 13th in General Classification, 1' 35" behind the leader.

The field obviously rode the morning stage to conserve energy for the early evening time trial. Among the few things worthy of mention, there was a break by Nicole Freedman, who stayed in front by herself for a good 30 kilometres, 30 to 50 seconds in front of the peloton. Toward the end, occasional showers, the first rain here in four months, generated crashes due to the slippery roads. Among the victims were Golden Jersey Alison Wright, who paid the incident 1 minute 4 seconds; Juliette Vandekerkhove, who was injured and wouldn't start the next stage; Martina Ruzickova, who took then ambulance to the hospital; and Meshy Holt, for whom the crash resulted in mechanicals that forced her to rally the finish at snail pace and lose 3'26" to the lead group in the last three kilometres.

Strong sprinter Sarah Ulmer eventually won the stage in a mass sprint, in front of her teammate and fellow Kiwi Joanne Kiesanowski and American Nicole Freedman, who was obviously fresh after her solo ride. RONA/Esker's Magali Le Floc'h and Catherine Marsal finished in the lead group, respectively 9th and 13th. "The last few kilometres were very dangerous and I chose to ride carefully", explained Le Floc'h at finish. "The road was so narrow, so slippery, you had to watch where you were going!"

The night stage showed how relevant weather can be in a time trial. On a very winding and technical course, rain started to fall after about half the contestants had started. First to go, the ones who were trailing in G.C. had the dryness advantage, while others had to ride the 12.1 km under monsoon-type rain, and others still escaped the rain, but not the shiny wet pavement. The World Time Trial champion is here and achieved an excellent time, but not good enough to make top three, as she was bested by Kupfernagel and two Australians: Olivia Gollan, who won the stage and took the Golden Jersey, and Alison Wright, obviously not shaken by the morning's crash. Among RONA/Eskers, Karen Bockel and Erinne Willock achieved the best times, 43" and 1'12" behind Gollan respectively.

Tomorrow, the Avord-Avord stage, the longest stage (114.4) of the race but a flat course, that should not have much impact on G.C., unless the wind creates surprises . . .