News

August 20, 2009

Traffic in and around Summerside on Thursday was slower than usual except on the road race course where the top cyclists in the country were breaking the speed limit for most of the afternoon.  Speeds of 60+ were the norm in the sprint to the finish in both men’s and women’s races.  In the 80 km women’s race Team Sask was lead by Andrea Bunnin and Julia Garnet who maintained solid position with the lead group throughout the race. In a dramatic sprint to the finish Andrea got boxed in and crossed the line in 14th position followed closely by Julia in 20th.  Hannah Cooley was further back, finishing 31st in the lead lap while Lindsay Aspen, Caitlin Warkentin, and Jo-anne Traves finished 35th, 36th, and 40th repectively.
 
The men’s team had a solid team effort supporting each other throughout the 120 km race.  Ben Rempel jumped into the break away group on the first lap while teammates Brad Clifford, Chris McGarity, Andrew Thomas, Dave Brooks, and Cuylar Conly remained with the peloton.  There were a number of break aways throughout the race and Team Sask responded each time putting them in a position to challenge when it came time for the sprint to the finish.  Chris and Andrew crossed the finish line tied for 14th place and in the same large group Brad and Dave placed 35th and 39th with Cuylar 6 back in 45th.  Ben fell off the pace after expending so much energy in the early break.
 
The cycling events conclude Friday with the criteriums for both men and women.