CANADIAN CYCLING ASSOCIATION

2011.05.10

SIX CANADIAN CYCLISTS TO RACE FOR CANADA AT 2011 GRAND PRIX CYLISTE GATINEAU

Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau is the top road cycling event for women in Canada

(Ottawa, ON – May 10, 2011) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is delighted to announce the athletes for the 2011 Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau, held on May 19^th and 21^st 2011 in Gatineau, QC.

Six women will be wearing the Maple Leaf uniform at these only two UCI Category 1 races for women in Canada: Annie Ewart (Victoria, BC), Julia Garnet (Saskatoon, SK), Cara Gillis (Fredericton, NB), Leah Guloien (Port Moody, BC), Clara Hughes (Glenn Sutton, QC), and Leah Kirchmann (Winnipeg, MB). The group will be directed by Denise Kelly, National Women's Endurance Development Coach.

“We are extremely pleased to field a competitive team for this major event for women’s cycling in Canada. The Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau are Canada’s top cycling races for women and attract some of the best in the world,” said Vincent Jourdain, head coach of the Canadian Road Cycling Team. “The cycling races in Gatineau also represent a great opportunity for the people of the greater National Capital area to come and support current and future Olympians.”

The time trial race will be held on Thursday May 19, 2011 and the road race will be held Saturday May 21^st.

“I'm really honoured to be selected to represent Canada at the 2011 Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau. It is always a privilege to wear the maple leaf and it is especially exciting to do so at a race in Canada,” said Leah Kirchmann, the U23 National Road Race Champion.

Kirchmann is making her second consecutive appearance at the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau. In 2010, she finished 6^th in the road race, four seconds behind the winner.

“Last year was a very positive experience for me. The organizers did a fantastic job putting on the event. It was exhilarating to race some of the best in the world without traveling across an ocean to do so. My objectives are to continue to improve and use my strengths to help my team have a successful season. I hope to have a strong race at Nationals in an effort to qualify for the Worlds Championships team for Copenhagen,” added Kirchmann, who represented Canada at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Clara Hughes of Glen Sutton, Québec will also be racing for Canada. Hughes is having a brilliant comeback to cycling, winning both the time trial and road races at the 2011 UCI Pan American Championships in Colombia this past weekend.

Canada’s defending National Road Champion Joëlle Numainville of Montreal, Quebec won the 2010 edition of the road race. Numainville should be defending her 2010 title under the colors of her professional cycling team, ‘TIBCO To-The-Top’.

The CCA would also like to note the participation of Team Juverdem-Specialized at the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau, Canada’s only UCI Women’s Pro Cycling team.

CANADIAN DELEGATION, 2011 GRAND PRIX CYCLISTE GATINEAU

Annie Ewart (Victoria, BC) Road Race; Time Trial

Julia Garnet (Saskatoon, SK) Road Race; Time Trial

Cara Gillis (Fredericton, NB) Road Race

Leah Guloien (Port Moody, BC) Road Race

Clara Hughes (Glen Sutton, QC) Road Race; Time Trial

Leah Kirchmann (Winnipeg, MB) Road Race

More information on the two races and other cycling activities surrounding the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau can be found online at http://www.grandprixcyclistegatineau.com/ .

The Canadian Cycling Association is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, the CCA aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medal performances.

With the vision to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased a participation and world class event hosting, the CCA manages the National teams, hosts national and international events, and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.canadian-cycling.com.

.:: Canadian Cycling Association ::.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Guy Napert-Frenette

Manager, Communications

Canadian Cycling Association

(403) 614-4275