Cycling Classic Ready to Roll !!!

The 12th edition of the Southern Ontario cycling season opener is ready to roll on Sunday April 17.  Approximately 1200 riders are expected for the Paris to Ancaster 60 km race and the Harrisburg to Ancaster 30km race.

The route for the classic race takes in rail trails, gravel road, forest trails, farm lanes, unopened road allowances and some pavement to provide a genuine all around cycling challenge to the competitors.  Starting at Greenlane Park in Paris and finishing at the Ancaster Community centre in Ancaster, the route is primarily a personnel challenge to most competitors.

Among the favorites for this year's race is Kitchener's  Josh Hall. Now racing on the road for the Jetfuel professional team and on Moutainbikes for KHS, Hall is a former Canadian National Team member for both Mountainbike and Road disciplines. When combined with several National Cyclocross Championship victories as well, the Paris-Ancaster event's demands certainly are a great combination for his strengths.  However, it is the one victory that has surprisingly still eluded Hall, and he most certainly will want to rectify this blank spot on his resume.  In particular, an untimely flat-tire in the final 4km while leading the race in 2001 is one near-miss that stands out in his mind.  However, be certain that having several years of experience riding and racing Paris-Ancaster in all kinds of conditions will have filled Hall's bag of tricks for Sunday.  Hall is likely to be challenged by last year's runner up Nathan Chown of St Catharines. Last year's winner, Peter Morse of Toronto has yet to confirm his entry.

On the women's side no clear favorite has yet entered the race, leaving the door open for a new champion to follow in the tracks of past winners and Olympians Clara Hughes and Sue Palmer Komar.

Riders can still enter the race either at www.parisancaster.com or in person on Saturday from 3pm -6pm or Sunday from 7am to 9:30 at the Ancaster community centre on Jerseyville rd.

Josh Hall can be contacted for additional information at 519- 880-2688 or 519 589-7758.

Nathan Chown can be reached at 905-646-3524

For additional information please contact
John Thorpe 905-332-1877 or 905-331-3173
Tim Farrar 905-650-7195 or 404-931-8167