CANADIAN WOMEN TANDEM RACES TO PODIUM PERFORMANCE IN SPAIN
Weldon/Roy again reach podium at Para-Cycling World Cup, for the third time this season
(Segovia, ESP – June 15, 2013) The Para-Cycling World Cup in Segovia, Spain continued on Saturday with the presentation of the first of two set of road races, and the Canadian women tandem once more climbed onto the podium.
The Canadian tandems fared well today, both the men and women riding with new guides acquired in the training season.
“We’ve had a good day today with our tandems. Both teams were involved in the races, with attacks and breakaways. Our women did everything to breakaway, but had to use their sprints in the final. On the men’s side, after a two-lap breakaway, two wheel changes and some mechanical issues, our guys were still in the mix at the end of the race,” said Sébastien Travers, coach of the Canadian Para-Cycling team. “We’ve met our objectives here to acquire race experiences for the tandems.”
In the men’s tandem race, the newly formed tandem of Alexandre Carrier and Aroussen Laflamme have adapted well to its new environment, racing in its first World Cup road race. The two have been an active part of the animated race, but unfortunately suffered from two flats tires. The tandem finished eighth, with just 49 seconds behind the winning time.
The women tandem raced to their second podium of the weekend, taking the second place today. Robbi Weldon and Emily Roy, two experienced cyclists, were also very active in their race. The tandem crossed the line in second place of the sprint at the finish line, just six seconds behind the Great Britain tandem.
In the Handcycling road races, Robert Labbé was the top Canadian, taking the seventh spot of the race. Unfortunately, both Mark Ledo and Mark Beggs did not finish the race. Ledo crashed in the first lap, while Beggs was forced to abandon due to medical issues.
Travers adds: “In the Handcyclie, Robert is coming back from a shoulder injury.His race in Segovia allowed us to see his progress against some of the best in the world, to best prepare him for the World Championships. As it concerns Mark Ledo, a crash is always disappointing, especially since he’s a very competitive athlete.”
Tomorrow in Segovia, the road races continue with the tricycle and cycle races. Both Marie-Claude Molnar and Shelley Gautier will be in action.
RESULTS – ROAD RACES – UCI WORLD CUP, SEGOVIA (ESP)
Women, Tandem
1. TURNHAM, Lora/HALL, Corrine (GREAT BRITAIN) 2:18:19
2. WELDON, Robbi/ROY, Emilie (CANADA) 2:18:25 +0:06
3. CHESHIRE, Shawn/TRIPLETT, Jennifer (USA) 2:18:25 +0:06
Men, Tandem
1. VENGE BALBOA, Christian/LLAURADO CALDERO, David (SPAIN) 2:29:45
2. AVILA RODRIGUEZ, Ignacio/FONT BERTOLI, Joan (SPAIN) 2:30:12 +0:27
3. PIZZI, Ivano/PIZZI, Lucca (ITALY) 2:30:12 +0:27
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8. CARRIER, Alexandre/LAFLAMME, Aroussen (CANADA) 2:30:34 +0:49
Men, H1
1. MAZZONE, Luca (ITALY) 1:09:13
2. ROHAN, Mark (IRELAND) 1:09:58 +0:45
3. GROULX, William (USA) 1:10:42 +1:29
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7. LABBE, Robert (CANADA) 1:21:01 +11:48
Men, H2
1. PODESTA, Vittorio (ITALY) 1:17:44
2. ABLINGER, Walter (AUSTRIA) 1:17:51 +0:07
3. DEBERG, Jean Francois (BELGIUM) 1:18:45 +1:01
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DNF. BEGGS, Mark (CANADA)
Men, H3
1. MERKLEIN, Vico (GERMANY) 1:37:05
2. JEANNOT, Joel (INDEPENDENT) 1:38:11 +1:06
3. WILK, Rafal (POLAND) 1:38:13 +1:08
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DNF. LEDO, Mark (CANADA)
